Tuesday, January 11, 2011

National Home Education Legal Defense Opposed to Parental Rights Amendment

NHELD is opposed to the Parental Rights Amendment HSLDA is pushing, you can read why here.

Warning to parents:  A Constitutional amendment purporting to protect the rights of parents actually could erode the rights of parents even further.

At the behest of another homeschool organization (HSLDA), Congressman Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, once again, has introduced a bill that would amend the United States Constitution, ostensibly to protect the right of parents.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Why are Fundamentalist Christians Opposed to Children Having Rights?

A Fundamentalist Homeschooling Mom who believes those evil secular humanist are out to take her children away from her used these court cases to try to prove that Christians are being persecuted.

Home-schooler ordered to attend public school
In this instance the girls FATHER had requested that she be sent to public school. Unfortunately when parents disagree about the best educational choice for their child a Judge gets to choose. I do find this troubling

In the New Hampshire case, the court ruled that extreme religiosity by itself constitutes grounds on which to rule against a parent's wishes.


We are suppose to enjoy religious freedom in America. But considering the child said this.

The ruling also said Amanda told a counselor she was distressed by her father's refusal to accept her religious beliefs and that "his choice to spend eternity away from her proves that he does not love her as much as he says he does."

I totally understand the ruling. It seems that in Amanda's view accepting her religious beliefs doesn't mean accepting her right to believe them but forcing the Father to believe them too.Certainly the Mother needs to be prevented from brainwashing the child into believing her Father doesn't love her just because his religious views differ from the Mothers. And keep in mind the court was INVITED to intervene by the parents in the custody dispute.

Judge Grants Asylum to German Home Schoolers
Homeschooling is ILLEGAL in Germany.

The reasoning behind the German law, cited by officials and in court cases, is to foster social integration, ensure exposure to people from different backgrounds and prevent what some call “parallel societies.”

“We have had this legal basis ever since the state was founded,” said Thomas Hilsenbeck, a spokesman for the Ministry for Culture, Youth and Sport in the Romeikes’ state, Baden-Württemberg. “This is broadly accepted among the general public.”

The family was breaking the laws of Germany. This does not show that Christians are being persecuted. It also shows that our homeschool freedoms are safe in America where homeschooling is legal in all 50 states.


In a harshly worded decision, the judge, Lawrence O. Burman, denounced the German policy, calling it “utterly repellent to everything we believe as Americans,” and expressed shock at the heavy fines and other penalties the government has levied on home-schooling parents, including taking custody of their children.

As for the The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child one can only wonder what Fundamentalist Christians find objectionable.

Article 6
1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.
Article 7
1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and. as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.
Article 9
1. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision must be made as to the child's place of residence.
2. In any proceedings pursuant to paragraph 1 of the present article, all interested parties shall be given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and make their views known.
3. States Parties shall respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child's best interests.
Article 12
1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
Article 13
1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.
2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.
Article 14
1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.
3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.


Sunday, January 09, 2011

Religious Right Screaming Persecution Again

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



Friday, January 07, 2011

Roll On Mississippi: Tullis-Toledano Manor 2002

Roll On Mississippi: Tullis-Toledano Manor 2002

Could Ken Ham and the Religious Right be WRONG?

Ken Ham takes umbrage at the Catholic Church championing Science.


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

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.

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.


Monday, January 03, 2011

Stylish Blogger Award


The Stylish Blogger Award is both an honor from a fellow blogger and a way of networking with other bloggers. Thank you so much to PinonKnitter from Knitted Thoughts for including me in her award recipients.  Be sure to check out her blog. I just love the red coat and green lace scarf she knitted as Christmas gifts.

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
  1. I love animals
  2. I love flowers
  3. I love to read
  4. I have a wonderful husband and two terrific boys.
  5. I miss having a horse and going riding.
  6. I enjoy the Spring when the temperatures are in the 80's. I wish it would stay that way all year.
  7. 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.
15 Recently Discovered Bloggers ................. I promise to get back to this. I want to give it some thought.

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.

Why Homeschool: Reminder - send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling



 The Cates are hosting the 5th Anniversary Edition and would like everyone to submit a post. Learn more at Why Homeschool: Reminder - send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling

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.

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.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Common Room: When Family Members and Friends Seem Hostile to Homeschooling

The Common Room: When Family Members and Friends Seem Hostile to Homeschooling

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.