The Religious Right are screaming persecution again The Third Wave of Homeschool Persecution. Please people get a grip. There are secular humanist that homeschool, they treasure their homeschool freedoms as much as you do. Accusing a group of people of persecuting you because your religious views differ is idiotic and counter productive.
Homeschool Groups & Resources for Secular, Agnostic, Secular Humanist, & Atheist
Homeschooling Freethinkers!
Atheist Homeschool
Freethinking Unschoolers
Homeschool Atheist
Global Village School
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
Could Ken Ham and the Religious Right be WRONG?
Ken Ham takes umbrage at the Catholic Church championing Science.
According to Ken Ham.
Which would mean the Religious Right who insist the Bible is the LITERAL word of God and that Genesis is correct in every way would be WRONG (Gasp)!
HT: Pharyngula
The Catholic Church no longer teaches creationism -- the belief that God created the world in six days as described in the Bible -- and says that the account in the book of Genesis is an allegory for the way God created the world.
But it objects to using evolution to back an atheist philosophy that denies God's existence or any divine role in creation. It also objects to using Genesis as a scientific text.
According to Ken Ham.
Now, if the book of Genesis is an allegory, then sin is an allegory, the Fall is an allegory, the need for a Savior is an allegory, and Adam is an allegory—but if we are all descendants of an allegory, where does that leave us? It destroys the foundation of all Christian doctrine—it destroys the foundation of the gospel.
If Genesis is an allegory then the first marriage is just an allegory, so marriage can be anything one wants to define it as!
Which would mean the Religious Right who insist the Bible is the LITERAL word of God and that Genesis is correct in every way would be WRONG (Gasp)!
HT: Pharyngula
Thursday, January 06, 2011
My Response to a comment on my post Secular doesn't mean Anti-Christian
This was left as a comment on my post Secular doesn't mean Anti-Christian
Since my response is going to be rather long I thought I would answer in a post rather then a comment. I am well aware what secular means. I was a SECULAR HOMESHOOLER, and would still be a secular homeschooler but my children are in college now.
From the Meirriam-Webster Online Dictionary SECULAR
Christians can choose to listen to secular music, watch secular television shows, read secular books and they can choose to provide their children with a secular education instead of an education based on their religious beliefs. Just like many Christians send their children to secular public schools. It doesn't make those Christian families less Christian just because they choose to provide their children with a secular public school education. Christians who wish to put the emphasis on education rather then religion can choose to be SECULAR HOMESCHOOLERS.
As Secular Homeschooling Magazine puts it
Secular homeschoolers are not against religion they merely do not make everything about religion. This allows them to interact and discuss homeschooling matters with other homeschoolers of differing beliefs. Their focus is on EDUCATION not religion.
I have to admit that I am confused by the last bit of Boremetotears comment. Not all Christians are members of the Religious Right. Many Christians find the Religious Right's intolerant beliefs and social/political agenda abhorrent. The Religious Right does not speak for all Christians.
boremetotears.com said...
With all due respect, "you keep using that word (secular). I do not think it means what you think it means." ;)
As CW said, using secular curriculum doesn't make a Christian homeschooler "secular" because, as "anonymous" added, "faith is implictly and explicitly taught." Just because you're using a non-religious curriculum doesn't mean you're not imparting a religious education.
(Aren't there a lot of people like "anon" who fall between the two categories? I've always had that impression.)
Btw, I would guess that to the extent that some secular homeschoolers are "anti-Christian," most don't start out that way. For many of us, the Christian homeschooling movement is our first introduction to the Religious Right's FIERCELY anti-secular, social/political agenda (it's Reason #1 why many homeschool, after all). And, could they be any more candid in championing homeschools as a training grounds for future Joshuas who will "Take Back the Land" --- from the "godless," also known as our children? Of course, it makes secular parents defensive and even combative.
As CW said, using secular curriculum doesn't make a Christian homeschooler "secular" because, as "anonymous" added, "faith is implictly and explicitly taught." Just because you're using a non-religious curriculum doesn't mean you're not imparting a religious education.
(Aren't there a lot of people like "anon" who fall between the two categories? I've always had that impression.)
Btw, I would guess that to the extent that some secular homeschoolers are "anti-Christian," most don't start out that way. For many of us, the Christian homeschooling movement is our first introduction to the Religious Right's FIERCELY anti-secular, social/political agenda (it's Reason #1 why many homeschool, after all). And, could they be any more candid in championing homeschools as a training grounds for future Joshuas who will "Take Back the Land" --- from the "godless," also known as our children? Of course, it makes secular parents defensive and even combative.
Since my response is going to be rather long I thought I would answer in a post rather then a comment. I am well aware what secular means. I was a SECULAR HOMESHOOLER, and would still be a secular homeschooler but my children are in college now.
From the Meirriam-Webster Online Dictionary SECULAR
a : of or relating to the worldly or temporal <secular concerns> b : not overtly or specifically religious <secular music> c : not ecclesiastical or clerical <secular courts> <secular landowners>
Christians can choose to listen to secular music, watch secular television shows, read secular books and they can choose to provide their children with a secular education instead of an education based on their religious beliefs. Just like many Christians send their children to secular public schools. It doesn't make those Christian families less Christian just because they choose to provide their children with a secular public school education. Christians who wish to put the emphasis on education rather then religion can choose to be SECULAR HOMESCHOOLERS.
As Secular Homeschooling Magazine puts it
Secular Homeschooling is a non-religious bimonthly magazine that reflects the diversity of the homeschooling community. Its readers and writers are committed to the idea that religious belief is a personal matter rather than a prerequisite of homeschooling.
This magazine is for any homeschooler, religious or not, who is interested in good solid writing about homeschooling and homeschoolers.
Secular homeschoolers are not against religion they merely do not make everything about religion. This allows them to interact and discuss homeschooling matters with other homeschoolers of differing beliefs. Their focus is on EDUCATION not religion.
I have to admit that I am confused by the last bit of Boremetotears comment. Not all Christians are members of the Religious Right. Many Christians find the Religious Right's intolerant beliefs and social/political agenda abhorrent. The Religious Right does not speak for all Christians.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Monday, January 03, 2011
Stylish Blogger Award
Here is a little explanation of the tasks you need to do should you choose to accept the award.
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!
Seven things about Alasandra
- I love animals
- I love flowers
- I love to read
- I have a wonderful husband and two terrific boys.
- I miss having a horse and going riding.
- I enjoy the Spring when the temperatures are in the 80's. I wish it would stay that way all year.
- I have visited Oahu, Hawaii; British Columbia & Alberta Canada; San Diego, California; Little Rock Arkansas; Macon & Atlanta Georgia; Washington D.C.; Florida; New Orleans, Louisianan, Mobile, Alabama and Kansas City, Kansas.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Secular doesn't mean Anti-Christian
A lot of the Fundamentalist Christian bloggers jump to the conclusion that secular homeschoolers are ANTI-Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many secular homeschoolers are Christians but they choose to make EDUCATION not RELIGION the focus of their homeschooling.
What is a secular homeschooler? A secular homeschooler chooses to focus on education rather then religion. Many secular homeschoolers are Christians but they may find the Fundamentalist Christians' intolerant views offensive. They choose to associate with people who have different religious and political beliefs and display tolerance of those whose beliefs are different then their own. Often they believe and teach EVOLUTION and find it tiresome that the Fundamentalist Christians label anyone who doesn't share their CREATIONIST beliefs anti-Christian.
What is a secular homeschooler? A secular homeschooler chooses to focus on education rather then religion. Many secular homeschoolers are Christians but they may find the Fundamentalist Christians' intolerant views offensive. They choose to associate with people who have different religious and political beliefs and display tolerance of those whose beliefs are different then their own. Often they believe and teach EVOLUTION and find it tiresome that the Fundamentalist Christians label anyone who doesn't share their CREATIONIST beliefs anti-Christian.
Why Homeschool: Reminder - send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT A RELIGIOUS UNDERTAKING IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.
I am sick and tired of people thinking Christians are the only families who homeschool. People of many different beliefs also homeschool.
PLEASE HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT A RELIGIOUS UNDERTAKING IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.
Tim Challies seems to believe all homeschoolers are Christians who are easily offended, won't allow their children to participate in Halloween and won't let them participate in sports leagues.
I don't think homeschoolers are easily offended. I do think we get tired of being lumped together as if we are all identical. Homeschool families are just as diverse as public school families. There are Wiccan, Pagan, Atheist and Christian Homeschoolers. There are rich, middle class and poor homeschoolers. There are White, Black, Hispanic, Indian, and Native American homeschoolers. Also our reasons for homeschooling are as varied as we are.
My family did not pray about homeschooling and religion played no part in our decision. We choose to homeschool because we did not agree with mandatory school uniforms in public school. I see no reason children should have to dress like clones in order to get an education.
Unlike Challies I do not believe children should be sent to public school in order to witness to other children. I find it revolting that Challies seems to think his religious beliefs should be forced on others.
I did not choose to homeschool to avoid worldliness. My children continued to play with the same kids they played with when they attended public school, they continued to participate in recreational sports leagues and boy scouts. Homeschooling is an educational choice not a religious undertaking and I am sick and tired of people like Challies assuming that all homeschoolers are Christians and share the same ideology he does.
I have read any number of articles by those who choose to homeschool who believe that homeschooling is the only biblical option for educating children. While these people may make some valid arguments, I am not convicted by Scripture or by plain reason that we must avoid public schools.
PLEASE HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT A RELIGIOUS UNDERTAKING IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.
Tim Challies seems to believe all homeschoolers are Christians who are easily offended, won't allow their children to participate in Halloween and won't let them participate in sports leagues.
I don't think homeschoolers are easily offended. I do think we get tired of being lumped together as if we are all identical. Homeschool families are just as diverse as public school families. There are Wiccan, Pagan, Atheist and Christian Homeschoolers. There are rich, middle class and poor homeschoolers. There are White, Black, Hispanic, Indian, and Native American homeschoolers. Also our reasons for homeschooling are as varied as we are.
My family did not pray about homeschooling and religion played no part in our decision. We choose to homeschool because we did not agree with mandatory school uniforms in public school. I see no reason children should have to dress like clones in order to get an education.
Unlike Challies I do not believe children should be sent to public school in order to witness to other children. I find it revolting that Challies seems to think his religious beliefs should be forced on others.
I did not choose to homeschool to avoid worldliness. My children continued to play with the same kids they played with when they attended public school, they continued to participate in recreational sports leagues and boy scouts. Homeschooling is an educational choice not a religious undertaking and I am sick and tired of people like Challies assuming that all homeschoolers are Christians and share the same ideology he does.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Devil in The White City by Erik Larson
(Non-Fiction) I highly recommend this book, it would make a wonderful gift for any History Buff in your family. Larson explores Chicago in the Gilded Age, beginning with Daniel Hudson Burnham's miraculous design for the Chicago World's Fair (properly known as the World's Columbian Exposition ) held in 1893. The book starts in 1890 with Chicago seeking to have the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. It covers the life of architect Daniel Hudson Burnham as well as engineer George Ferris who came up with a way to out Eiffel, Eiffel. Olmsted the famous landscape architect figures prominently in the book as well as Buffalo Bill. On a darker note Patrick Eugene Joseph Prendergast's murder of the mayor of Chicago is covered as well as the life of serial killer H. H. Holmes (born Herman Webster Mudgett). The book ends with Millet's death on the Titanic in 1912 and Burnhams's death shortly thereafter.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
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