Too many times lately I am hearing about things that cause real concern in our world today. Some are about wars, bombings, shootings and such violence. But some are the more subtle acts in politics and changes in law and policing. One of the areas of concern is education.
It seems that in today's culture there has been a big mistake made. Education is seen as the responsibility of the "state", the country or region you reside in is seen as the one in charge of educating your children. The challenge in this environment has been the growing idea that this also means that as a parent you have no choice and no control in the area of your child's education. We have heard recently of families being taken to court because they decided to home educate, families that had their children removed from the home because they refused to send them to the state run schools.
Society is heading down a scary road, not only for Christians but for all of us. The ideals being followed to bring us to this place where the government is in charge of your child and their education is against the idea of family and investing in your own children. It is also against the idea of true learning.
First I want to address the reality of family. Whether you are a Christian or not, your children are a gift given to you to raise and invest in so that they are prepared for life and can be ready to live and contribute to society in a positive way. I believe it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that this is happening. I also believe that the parent may choose different forms of education and tools that assist in the process. What works for one child and family may not work for another. The State should be available to help the family if needed but not to enforce their particular program of learning as the "best" way or "only way". This is the government getting involved too much in a matter that is for families to deal with.
Second I want to address learning itself. We know from looking at history and at societies where the government's prescribed schools and curriculum were enforced by law. That what happened was a set back to true learning. That in these situations learning was stifled because there were certain topics that were not to be taught and there other topics that were taught and they were incorrect but it was what you were being told to believe. True learning happens when we teach the younger generation to ask questions and to look for the answers. We share what we have learn't along the way but not because we cannot learn more and have different perspectives. Learning needs freedom for it to flourish. Governments have never assisted in moving true learning forward by enforcing their "views" on the people. The times and places where society has had a relaxed control on education is where learning flourishes.
By the way I have been known as extremely conservative at times. I am no hippy and not into some crazy world view where we need no government. But when I see trends that concern me then I need to speak out. So do you. Do you want the government to tell your children what to believe? Do you want your freedom to train your children in the way that works best for them to be taken away? Do you want to ensure that there is freedom to talk and discuss thoughts, ideas, issues, theories etc... without being shut down for fear that these things might go against the "state" schools?
I think that in areas like education and religion the government should stay out of as much as possible. there are other areas too but today's point is education. Governments of the world, offer to help people with a service, encourage learning and training to be a lifestyle but keep your distance and drop the "enforcement" model.
Let's appreciate the freedom we still have in Canada, at least for today.
Pastor Bruce
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