In another sign that there may yet be hope for us all, a North Carolina judge ruled that a Bible thumping divorcee must send her three children to a public school. She had been seeking to home school the kids and expose them to a "religious-based science curriculum": http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4727161/
Quite frankly, the blogs in support of the mother cause me the greatest concern - check out: http://www.hsinjustice.com/
As a homeschooling parent (and atheist), I think it is very disturbing if the judge is ordering that the children be put in school because he disagrees with the mother's opinions. Imagine if the situation was reversed, and a divorced atheist homeschooling mom (like me) ended up in court because her ex wanted the kid to go to religious school. The judge should not be basing these decisions on which parent he agrees with, it should be based on the best interests of the child, and if they are happy and thriving as homeschoolers they should not be put through the extreme stress of being sent to school against their will. (I think that while creation science is stupid that being taught it will not harm the children; when they're adults they'll decide for themselves.) The father can presumably discuss his views on science with the kids during his time with them. Or is he another one of these divorced dads who wants control over how the kids are raised but doesn't want to spend the time and effort raising them himself?
ReplyDelete(To be clear, although I think my ex believes in god now, he hasn't objected to our son's homeschooling because of my atheism, but for other reasons. He has unsuccessfully attempted to get authorities to force our son into school.)
Fair comment. Divorce judges usually give a huge weight to the status quo existing at the date of separation. However, in this case, the news item indicates that the mother had been home schooling the children for 4 years before the decision.
ReplyDeleteYou raise an interesting comment to the effect that religious-based science home schooling "will not harm the children; when they're adults they'll decide for themselves". My view is that parents (divorced or not) should not be allowed to indoctrinate their children with irrational beliefs. I wonder whether your opinion would be any different if she was home schooling them as Scientologists or to hate homosexuals?
Both of you have missed the real "miracle" in this story - the fact that there is a Judge in "Helmsalina" (aka North Carolina) that would choose against Bible school 24/7 at home! Wow! There is hope for our continent after all.
ReplyDeleteI will take you up, Mr. Moderator, on your question posed to Rosemary. Raising a child in home-schooling based on scientology or anti-gay beliefs is equally offensive. How about just good old fashioned right and wrong, share and share alike, be good to your neighbours, don't steal, lie or cheat, etc. Back to basics folks. You don't need a book to teach those things.
My opinion about scientology might be different if Thomas Cruise goes back on Oprah and jumps on that damn sofa again - he can convert me any day with those antics.
Cheers from CKDC.
Obviously I disagree with what this mother is teaching her kids about creationism, and I would also disagree with teaching kids Scientology or homophobia. But still, I don't think it is the place for the courts to decide how children should be raised, unless there is actual abuse involved. Why can't the mom teach the kids her version of reality, dad teach the kids the version we agree with, and the kids decide for themselves?
ReplyDeleteI have never forced my opinions about things on my son, indeed I have shown him creationist stuff on the web (he said, "These people don't know much about dinosaurs, do they?") (BTW, my son did self-identify as Christian when he was very young, but became atheist by his choice as he learned more.) I think in the end truth will out.
I'd also like to remind people that if parents aren't allowed to teach "offensive" beliefs to their kids, then all parents are in trouble, since everyone has opinions that someone will find offensive. I am sure most people would be offended that I teach my son that killing animals for food is immoral, that I don't think gods exist, that it's okay to be gay, etc.
ReplyDeleteGood points Rosemary. Children are hard wired (for good survival reasons) to believe whatever their parents tell them. I firmly believe that we should raise our kids to think rather than telling them what to think (aside from instilling them with basic moral precepts such as treating people the way they would like to be treated, its wrong to steal, etc.). As they move into their teens, this should include exposing them to religious texts and books such as Stephen Law's The Philosophy Files which I strongly recommend for teaching kids about questions such as Does God exist? and Should I eat meat? I must say that I find some parallel between a home schooler teaching creationism and teaching a child that it is immoral to eat meat (in saying this, I want you to know that I am leaning more and more towards the latter view). Just like belief in God, I would want my kids to understand both sides of the debate and to learn to make up their minds for themselves.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, you might be interested to know that Peter Singer will be appearing at the University of Toronto this coming Thursday night for a lecture/discussion: http://www.rabble.ca/whatsup/evening-peter-singer