The Outlawing of Home Schooling
Posted By Jacque on January 13, 2010
What would you do if home schooling was outlawed in America?
The UK is facing this very real issue right now in their House. I went to the site where the Bill is in their Parliament, and it makes it seem as if this bill is a very good and beneficial thing to all families. As it normally goes… you have to read what is not said to get the full picture of what the UK will look like if this passes (and it looks like it will).
So, what would you do if home schooling was outlawed in America? This is a very serious and real question when you look at legislation and recent intolerance of home schooling in this country. Ambivalence and even hatred are becoming more increased of home schoolers, especially those who home school for reasons of faith.
Matt and I were faced with this question several years ago when a reporter from Terre Haute was pressing Indiana legislators to look into the fact that there is no regulation of Indiana home schoolers, except for the attendance and to have a comparable education to what is taught in the public school system.
We came to the conclusion that it is our responsibility to train up and educate our children. So we will. Whatever is necessary to do that, we will.
So, I ask again, in serious light of that fact that we may soon see the demise of home schooling in America, what will you do?
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31 Responses to “The Outlawing of Home Schooling”
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My husband and I were JUST talking about this last week! On one hand, I understand what some of the moms in our homeschooling group say about us obeying the laws of the land and in the bible we do see many times where God covered and protected His people in their obedience.
On the other hand, the Bible commands us to train our kids up in godliness and to RUN from what is falsely called knowledge…
If you don’t mind me asking, what were some of the things that helped you to come to a decision?
Lord grant us wisdom!
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January 13th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
I’m not sure if there was anything specific. We know he is capable of taking care of any of his people in any circumstance, but we are charged with the responsibility of training these children he has given us in his ways.
We are to give to Caesar what is his, and our children are not his.
The Scripture that people use today to say we must obey the GOV at any cost must not be in the correct context. Scripture does not contradict itself.
As you can see, the midwives did not obey Pharoah, and it was to their credit as fearing Yahveh.
Ex. 1:15 Moreover, the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was called Shifrah and the other Pu’ah. 16 “When you attend the Hebrew women and see them giving birth,” he said, “if it’s a boy, kill him; but if it’s a girl, let her live.” 17 However, the midwives were God-fearing women, so they didn’t do as the king of Egypt ordered but let the boys live.
We are to obey (man) as we obey Yahveh. To disobey Yahveh to obey another law, man’s laws, is ludicrous. Of course he can do all things. He can save me from death if I step in front of a truck, but I would not tempt him to do so. We are to work from the front to back, believing His Scripture, not the other way around, trying to prove something by finding a Scriptural support. If it is there in Scripture, it is.
In other words, if we are doing as he commands us to do, then we are doing as we are to do. If something comes up that works against that, then it is against him. When we are unsure of what we are to do with our children, then we work from the back and seek to find Scripture for situations.
But we are not to do that. We are to know his Scripture, and we are to teach our children daily, as we walk and talk with them, it is commanded in Deuteronomy 6. Whatever goes against that, goes against Yahveh’s commandments. We would have to find a Scripture to prove obeying one that comes against it. We won’t find a Scripture that contradicts it.
AMEIN: Yahveh, grant us Wisdom!!!
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January 13th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Jacque,
Thank you for your words. I took them to my husband and he was thankful for the scripture references. He said that it is pretty interesting that all of scripture points towards us keeping our children with us (regardless of laws), and yet so many Christians are torn over the one that they think opposes the rest. But you are right, Scripture doesn’t contradict itself. I am eager to take a closer look at that verse after I get my little ones tucked into bed.
Sarah´s last blog ..Our Homeschool: School room pictures!
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January 13th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
You know, it was funny, because I have read on forums women who do believe we are to obey all government laws(to our death even!?!). While I can see this as an important attitude in many cases, this has bothered me greatly. I don’t remember the Scripture, but I hadn’t had time to research the actual context. As I said, Scripture does not contradict itself.
I mean, the science or health czar wants to make it so that families can only have X number of children and then they have to get an abortion after that. What if THAT becomes law? Would these women be the first in line to murder their babies in the womb? I don’t think so. Like I said, this has bothered me. Then, my husband was reading the Torah Scriptures this past weekend, and he read that about the midwives.
I stopped him mid-sentence.
I said, you mean that the midwives disobeyed the Pharoah who was the law of the land at that time!
{Sometimes we just have to wait for his answers and explanations…}
Yes, that is what it means. AND it was counted to them for GOOD! We must obey Yahveh rather than man. We just must. And I believe it is getting harder for some to discern between the two for lack of understanding. We see examples of disobedience to Yahveh all throughout Scriptures and how the people were punished. THAT is what we are to choose: Obey Yahveh. Not to obey man over him. THAT would be disobedience.
I am so glad that we were given this Scripture.
As Brandy said, we will never send our children to public school either. Ever. Period.
My advice to all Believers – home school or not – please, please, please pray that you are aware of all that is going on that will remove parental authority from our families and how these things are being implemented. It isn’t like it is being broadcasted on the evening news. We have to seek it and ask Yahveh to expose it to us. Then, when he does, we have to keep looking and ask what to do… be teachable in what he has to show us. Then DO IT. No matter what it is or how hard… we have to DO IT.
I have a similar question as Sarah. The Bible does command that we obey the laws that do not require that we disobey God’s commandments. But I don’t support public education as they teach major falsehood.
If the nation does move toward outlawing homeschooling, I wonder if it’ll be done before our future kids reach schooling age so we won’t have any time at home… that would be even worse.
Cassandra´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days – Day 12
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January 13th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
You were commenting as I was answering Sarah. Just wanted you to know I did answer.
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We have decided, we will teach our children – until our last breathe….we will pray, and help those who need it, I follow Almighty YHVH – not man or his knowledge….. Good topic of conversation!
Andi´s last blog ..T.O.H ~ Winter Nature Study – Insects
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If this were to happen, I really don’t know what I’d do…maybe move to a remote place?
Even though I am only 18, I have come to the firm and absolute conclusion that educating my [future] children will be the only option.
The world is becoming a scarier place!
In Messiah,
Lina
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January 13th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Oops, I meant home educating – but I’m sure you understood
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January 14th, 2010 at 10:18 am
I did understand, Lina. Firm and absolute conclusions…. exactly. This is why I am posing this question. As Believers, we must know the Scriptures and know what we will do in given situations. This means we need to know a lot more of Scripture than most of us know.
A LOT MORE.
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Wow! I think about this every once in awhile. My oldest just turned 18 so I no longer need to worry… at least in this area, but I still have one more… and 7 – 9 years left…the way our state laws are right now, we’d have a bit of grace because of something called non-approved private schools…but if that was removed I’m not sure what I’d do. I would like to say I’d continue to stand, but as a single mom, I’m already standing against so many odds….I just pray that it’s a decision I never have to make…
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January 13th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
MaggieRaye~
And you are standing so beautifully. So blessed by Yahveh in so many things and taken care of by faith.
This is really one of the reasons I decided to go ahead and pose the question. Many Believers have not thought about some things in a real sense. This is a very real thing, and as we all know, when we decide beforehand and have resolve to do what is necessary, it is much more achievable.
Regardless, he does sustain his people. We just must prepare now, as Yahshua told us to in Matthew 24.
Blessings friend! I think you are awesome to do all you do and to have overcome all you have overcome!
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Jacque,
You put that so well about working from the back and trying to find Scriptutre to fit. Our state (NH) just had a major vote on a homeschool law. Praise the Lord that it was voted down! If this law would’ve passed, NH would have been the most restrictive and burdensome state in the nation! My husband and I had come to the conclusion that we would not comply. They are our children and the government can’t have them or tell me what to do with them. Thank you for your words of wisdom!
Blessings!
Samantha
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I don’t even have to think about it. We will NOT …. EVER …. send our children to a public school. We WILL educate our children, ourselves, and do whatever we need to do to KEEP educating our children at home.
Brandy´s last blog ..A WEEK? Really??
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January 14th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Brandy, I agree. Can you answer Theresa’s question?
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Thoughtful post!
You Americans are so blessed that you homeschool your children, and that is in the college level already! That’s awesome. For me the question would be “what do you do” because homeschooling has ever been outlawed in Brazil and I believe in the entire South America too. There were families that DID what you are saying you would do, and most of them moved out to another country due to gov persecution. I couldn’t contact the other ones that stayed here, so I don’t know if they kept homeschooling or not. HS is completely hatred both by the gov, by the modern church. Hopefully God will rise up some families to definetly stand for the biblical right of parents to choose their children’s education. So, well, I would not like to move out to another country when I homeschool my future children, but until there if that is needed, I’ll do that, NO PROBLEMS!
Leandro´s last blog ..Conheça o meu Anel de Cavaleiro
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January 14th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Wow! I am glad that I read this! I thought that South America was LESS strict on homeschooling! Guess I’ll have to pray about another place to flee to!
Sarah´s last blog ..Our Homeschool: School room pictures!
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January 15th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Homeschooling is NOT illegal in South America – each country varies – it’s legal in Uruguay – but I haven’t researched all, and ones status (as resident or tourist) makes a big difference which laws apply.
Kendra´s last blog ..Kerry Alexander -
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Hi Jaque,
I enjoy discussions such as this as it gives us all opportunities to dig into the scriptures.
Did you know about the ‘Rights of a child’ bill that Obama has talked about implimenting? We are one of the only countries in the UN that hasn’t adopted these policies. It would basically give any and all rights to children about schooling, disciplining, ect. While this would not outlaw homeschooling it would place parents who do not have their child’s hearts to have to do battle with the courts. It is also a BIG stepping stone to outlawing parental rights over their own children.
I have contemplated this issue with my hubby and for the most part we would do everything in our power to continue homeschooling. However, if the state came to my door and gave me the choice “Put your kid in a school of your choice, or I will place them in foster care”, I would prayerfully have to take this to the Lord. I do not believe that we should obey EVERY law, however there are some laws that do not go against God’s law that we should obey. The concept I wrestle with is would He want me to run and hide/ be a fugitive in order to homeschool? My husband would immediately lose his job as he works for law enforcement. Would God provide much like he did for the Isrealites in the wilderness? If God does allow us to get caught after running and my kids were taken away, wouldn’t it have been better to have them in school and still get to be their parent, than to be placed in jail with strangers to care for our children/legacy? Would that be a God works all things for His good thing?
The logical/realistic side of me knows for a fact that there are simply not enough law enforcement officers nor foster homes as of now! The current supply and demand for each of these positions is simply not adequate for the current need! Therefore, hunting down and prosecuting such ‘criminals’ would be an rediculous drain on already strapped resources. Would we continue to add on more national debt to pass on to our children, in order to fill these positions and hunt people down? YIKES! Forgive my pondering ‘out loud’ and I think in your former response you made some very good points. Will have to do some seeking the Lord on this one & praying for Him to reveal His plan. We have it so easy in our country today that I fear when real persecution comes, a good portion of the church will fold up.
Theresa´s last blog ..Hello Lord
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January 14th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I don’t have time to write a long response, but you can search my blog and see what I have written about the CRC.
THIS is the problem: “We have it so easy in our country today that I fear when real persecution comes, a good portion of the church will fold up.”
My prediction is that it is about to get a lot less ‘easy’, and we need to make a stand right now and decide what we will do and what the implications are. We can’t have it both ways. We also have to DO as Scriptures tell us and not be afraid. There is no lesser of two evils when it comes to obeying Yahveh.
Great thoughts Theresa. Hope I can discuss more later!
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January 14th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
One of the things I struggle with when realizing the gravity of what ‘hiding’ entails is the fact that this means we can no longer fulfill this scripture in Matthew 5:
)
14″You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
While there is a ton in there that speaks of blessing for being pursecuted, I wonder how much light we can be when we are hiding?
Being that God called us to move so far away from everything we know, to minister to the needs of others and try our darndest to be a light in a dark place, I don’t see how we can do this if we are hiding. While my fears of ‘what if’ can really run-a-muck if I allow it to, I don’t see the possibility of one scripture ruling over another. Ergo this is where I don’t see a mandate to homeschool. TO diligently teach them, absolutely! Public School makes this harder and lessens our time with them, but doesn’t take away the right to diligently teach them about the Lord. Now don’t get me wrong, I will fight to homeschool my children for as long as God allows me, but at the point where my kids get sent to the home of a pagan, I would have to have full confidence that if I were to run that it would be out of God’s convictions rather than fear of what ifs. I can’t imagine what life will be like once the Holy Spirit is taken from the earth. However, I digress and that is an entirely other subject!
I read a devotional today by Bob Hoekstra that I want to send to you to get your thoughs on. Didn’t want to change the subject too dramatically but I think it applies here. Would love to hear more of your research on this subject too! Thanks Jacque!
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January 14th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I’m a Finn and therefore I don’t know all the details of your political climate.
However, Finland ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991. There was never discussion about banning homeschooling nor taking away parental rights. Education in here is compulsory, but children aren’t obliged to go to school to get education. The state and school don’t control methods used in education. I quote our law: “the advancements are supervised by the home municipality. The parents have the same freedom to make up their own curriculum as the municipalities have regarding the school, only national guiding principles of the curriculum have to be followed.” Finns rarely homeschool their children (different kind of tax legislation, high costs of living etc. comparing to US meaning that only one of the parents rarely can support the family by his/hers salary alone) but it is not unheard of way. In Lapland and other parts of Finland where distances are vast, home education is used more often. Religious education is a compulsory subject both in comprehensive schools and in upper secondary schools and we have separate christian schools also.
My lack of fluent English in law terms fails me, I’m sorry. I just wanted to give a point of view where ratifying CRC doesn’t necessarily mean the worst case scenario. I hope only the for your rights to homeschool, that is one thing that should be decided only by the parents themselves.
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January 14th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Theresa,
Thank you for articulating the things that I have been thinking. My first thought has always been, “Move to South America” and hide out or something similar to that. But, I don’t know if that’s my flesh or not. I’m happy that this topic has come up and am seeking God for a concrete answer.
The reason that I feel it is not concrete, so to speak, is that in biblical times ALL CHILDREN were homeschooled, and there was no conflict with the government about that. So, with regard to this particular situation, the bible does not speak on it. We have to pray and read the Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to show us what to do.
I do want to be clear, because I don’t think that I was before: I am a firm believer in homeschooling. I would never willingly put my children in ANYBODY else’s care! My question here was only whether we would be disobeying God if we obeyed a potential law banning homeschooling. Or, if we would be disobeying God by disobeying that law.
Sarah
Sarah´s last blog ..Our Homeschool: School room pictures!
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January 14th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Oops..I read the post below about South American homeschooling policies. Guess it’s not the place for us after all!
Sarah´s last blog ..Our Homeschool: School room pictures!
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I have several slower learners who have flourished because of being loved and encouraged. I know what it would be like for them in the ps. Our most important study is the Bible everyday.
Would we move to some where remote or stay and fight? Would follow the Holy Spirit w/ that one
. I am a former teacher, so becoming certified in my state might be another option.
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Thank you for directing me to this, Jacque. It is a little different for me as my husband has me homeschool for the reason that public school failed him. I homeschool for the reason that I believe as you do~that it is a command from God. So if these laws against homeschooling are implemented, I don’t know what will happen in our family. I guess I need to pray more that my hubby’s eyes will be opened to it NOT being the government’s right to tell us what to do with our children, but it is our responsibility. Here is a question: in light of we must obey God rather than man in this area, our children, what if one’s husband doesn’t want you to homeschool, but you feel it is a command from God (according to Deuteronomy?)
Emily´s last blog ..Femininity & Skirts
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January 15th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Emily, the commandment to train your children and walk with them and talk with them daily is to the parents, but ultimately, in a marriage, that means the husband. While it is the wife’s responsibility too, it is something that he bears the weight of. When it comes down to it, the husband is the one who is to manage his home for Yahveh, and as such, the responsibility ultimately falls at his feet. The wife is to give to her husband the authority in the marriage, and he is to give the authority to Yahveh, obeying him. Let your husband make the final decision and pray for him earnestly.
1Timothy 3
Ephesians 5:22
Deuteronomy 6
Other than that, I think it is wise to realize that the public school failed him and will likely fail his children. Honestly, in the area of walking as we are instructed to – in the narrow path of Yahveh – the public school has no place at all. Bible beliefs are banned, humanist teachings are the norm, and there is no way that all your children’s needs as a young Believer can possibly be met in any school setting. Period. Yahveh gives children to parents and expects them to put him first and train them in his Scriptures and commandments. No one – NO ONE else will do this best for the child than the parent.
I read a quote just yesterday that said: “My Father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” ~ Clarence B. Kelland
I believe this is the essence of how we are to train our children. This is what Yahshua told us to do: “Do as I do; Follow me.”
Here is a great article by Voddie Baucham entitled, “Top Five Reasons Not to Send Your Kids Back to Govt. School” http://tinyurl.com/me9ljy
be blessed as you train your children in Yahveh’s narrow way~
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Hello,
You speak about UK, but what is about to happen in UK is more or less what we are living in France since 1998’s law voted for “children’s welfare” : home-edcucation is legal but we have to inform local officials each year that our children are at home, every other year we have to undergo a social inquiry organized by the city hall, and every year school officials come into our homes or summon us to school premises to check how children are taught (and they usually oblige us to follow school curriculum though law says we can choose our methods…), if school officials do not like our way to educate, they can oblige parents to put our children to school. However in UK, it will be even more strict than in France since parent’s will have to submit a teaching plan for the coming year, which limit the methods parents can choose.
You should have mentionned Sweden which law is about to change regarding homeschooling : the law wants to limit the access to homeschooling only to children who have serious reasons not to go to school (illness, etc.), because Swedish government think that philosophical reasons or religious reasons are not good reasons to home educate as they want education to be objective” (as if school’s really was…). http://www.rohus.nu/?English_information .
Best regards.
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January 18th, 2010 at 4:03 am
Thanks, Lisa, for letting us in on that perspective and information.
The reason I didn’t do any research or give info about other countries is because I truly wanted to pose the question to my fellow American citizens right here in the States.
I do appreciate the info you gave though, because it gives a little more insight into what can happen to education and how it could affect us here.
Thank you~
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Fight it in court.
If that failed… AND supposing I could find no way to afford a private Christian school… pick up and move.
Very seriously… I love my country, but not more than my children and certainly not more than God’s word.
It would be one thing if the PSs just stuck to academics and I needed to make corrections and enhancements in certain subjects to convey a Christian world view or instill a more complete, accurate, and rigorous academic standard. Unfortunatley, the reality is that the PSs go so much further than revisionist academics in regards to their institutionalized anti-Christ, secular progressive, anti liberty agenda that it would be a full time job to “debrief” my children each day. This does not even touch on the worldly “Pop Culture” influences that would abound among their peers. No, it’s my job to raise soldiers for Christ’s Kingdom – you don’t do that by putting them on the battlefield before they are trained. Unfortunately, it really is that bad today… it used to just be higher education, then it moved into highschool and Jr. high. Now the battle for the hearts and minds of your children begins in grade school. No, I will not let my children be part of a PS Lord of the Flies experiment for 12 years – they don’t need that to make them into intelligent quality young men and women. They certainly don’t need that to develop within them a loving Godly character.
All that said, every man or woman has his/her own line in the sand and I would not presume to pass judgement on another Christian for the call that they make. In fact… given identical circumstances, it has been my experience that due to the unique and individual nature and gifts God has given to each of us… there are times when one man/woman or part of the body can be called to one task or decision… and one to another… and as long as both decisions square with scripture… they are both right.
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If anything, homeschooling is growing in popularity in the US, and people are homeschooling for reasons other than faith as well. We are quite a large group as a whole.
The best thing homeschooling families can do to preserve our rights is to support organizations such as HSLDA, stand together, keep informed of legislation regarding homeschool law in our respective states, and make our wishes known to our state representatives.
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