“The Grand Canyon” doesn’t seem quite right - the homeschooling world isn’t broken into two camps separated by a wide chasm. Even the often quoted “but we’re unified because we homeschool” doesn’t group us - those who use online charters are discriminated against as “not really homeschoolers”.
Sure, each camp can blame the other for the division, but in reality, we’re all to blame, and honestly, I’m fine with that. I don’t think we can be unified, therefore, I’m not likely to fight for some kind of unified theory of homeschooling. I’m content with the status quo. I can speak up for myself and set the record straight when others feel the need to speak for me, or include me in their broad spectrum of homeschoolers. I can seek conventional legal representation when and if my legal rights are infringed upon, I don’t need special counsel for that. I can join my state wide watch group, or read the news - I don’t need a national conservative special interest organization with an agenda that excludes my family in order to keep abreast of legislation that may or may not have a negative influence on homeschooling.
I don’t require a support group to homeschool. They’re nice, and provide social contact for the children, but they’re not necessary for successful homeschooling. Social contact can be obtained in many other ways. I don’t have an agenda to keep my kids from exposure to public school, public school students, people of other beliefs, or some undefined source of “evil”. I’ve let my kids go to Sunday school, vacation bible school, field trips with a Christian homeschool group, play with the Catholic kids, play on sports teams supported through the public school, take public school courses, and not once did I fear that the values and morals I’ve instilled in my children were at risk. I have however, witnessed more conservative homeschoolers fear that exposure. My question is why? Is faith that fragile?
How can we unify when one group fears the other? Liberal and secular and tolerant groups of homeschooler do not fear conservatives. Conservative homeschoolers fear liberal and secular and tolerant ideas. That’s simplistic, but it does outline exactly what keeps us divided. You have groups of parents who must keep their children isolated from exposure to ideas that are in conflict with their own because they fear that their children will then question those ideas. Many of us who are not conservative grew up in homes that were quite restrictive in beliefs, and we know the drill. And we remember growing up and away and learning to make our own decisions about ideas. We vow to expose our own children to other ideas, because we do not fear knowledge.
That’s why we’re seeing not just an “us against them” attitude, but also a “them against them” battle. Even a belief in Jesus as Savior can’t unite a group. It’s crazy. Aren’t they all reading the same handbook?
A couple of posts were dumped into my reader today. Here’s the first. (What rock has this person been under?).
There exists a long-standing and ongoing friction between those who hold a Christian homeschool philosophy and those who are secular in their approach to homeschooling. Some in both camps strive for unity but it rarely works because of the vast difference in world views.
Those who cannot reasonably defend their views often resort to attacking their opposition in an effort to divert attention and redirect focus to something or someone else. You’ll see this often in politics (the liberal left does this all the time). Those who cannot win their argument create a persuasive diversion to keep their message alive.
Hello pot? It’s me, black. There seems to be an equally explosive divide between Christians and Christians. And as for attacks, conservative news sources (World Net Daily) pepper their publications with hatred and attacks, usually against liberals, by using the “persuasive diversion” of the term “family value”. The hypocritical belief that Christians and or conservatives are above the fray is ludicrous.
I visited several blogs of those advocating a boycott and found that most are secular homeschoolers. A quick browse through their blog-a-sphere revealed anti-Christian tirades, pagan god teachings, witchcraft, profanity, tarot cards, new age beliefs, etc.
Wow, I’m only pegged for profanity. Imagine my surprise when I read that Dana is anti Christian! I mean, come on. This is the kind of post that makes Christians look, well, I can’t be diplomatic. It makes them (and yeah, it lumps them together) look stupid. Dana anti Christian? What if I read this post (as so many Christians read World Net Daily) and didn’t question it? What if I wasn’t already familiar with Dana? This blog Heart of Wisdom, is a “big name Christian blog” with lots and lots of readers. Many of those readers, like the I heart Huckabee crowd, would believe it simply because the author is a Christian.
And please, don’t invade my personal space with inane emails and comments about how I’m “attacking” the author of this blog, Heart of Wisdom. She’s written out her opinion, and now I’m writing out mine, using clear and logical arguments, and using evidence to make my points. Now imagine me sticking my tongue out.
And this from Meg (she’s so smart she scares me sometimes):
Only by individuals continuing to open discussions can either side become knowledgeable about the other. I can see strengths in choices that aren’t ones I’ve chosen. I have also adapted ideas from people that are very different than myself. Ideas that at first glance would not be a natural ‘fit,’ but have improved/broadened our life.
Fear will keep us together? Meow.
