Candace

Talmadge

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February 6, 2009

Keep Faith, and the Faithful, in Public Schools

A Christian author has launched an initiative to convince his readers and other members of his religion to pull their children out of public schools in 2009. It’s tempting to dismiss this movement with “good riddance,” given the decades of nonsense in state and local school boards nationwide over teaching evolution in science classes. (Then there is that oxymoron called “creation science.” Oh, please.)

Such a response is short-sighted, however. There are many examples of Christians in general and young Christians in particular whose faith motivates them to do good works in and for their communities. The same goes for subscribers to other religions, too. Public schools would suffer even further without these children participating. Perhaps that is one of the withdrawal movement’s unstated goals.

Moreover, tax-funded schools desperately need active participation from as many committed parents as possible, regardless of their religion or lack thereof. Mothers and fathers who seriously consider where and how to educate their children are committed to their offspring and thus invaluable potential resources.

Public schools also benefit from diversity, and that includes variety in the religions (or lack thereof) of the pupils attending the schools. Children thrive when exposed to and challenged by a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. Christian and non-Christian children alike benefit from knowing about each other’s inherent humanity and varying life perspectives.

After all, it’s much harder to demonize a group when we personally know one or more members of that group. Is that what this author fears? That by working and playing with youngsters of other faiths or with openly gay/lesbian/transgender teens, Christian children might grow up more open-minded and less susceptible to bigotry?

Maybe we all should take a timeout, a few deep breaths, and reflect a bit on the core of Christianity and every religion – faith. Ironically, faith is something that everyone shares, including those who do not subscribe to belief in a creator. After all, even the most ardent atheist has faith of one sort or another. Maybe that faith is in reason or in gravity. Truth be told, reason and gravity share at least one thing in common with God. None is visible to the naked eye but we experience their effects every day.

In urging Christian parents to take their children out of public schools, this author complains that society is moving away from Christianity, citing the diminishing support for gay marriage bans in California in last year’s 52-48 percent vote for Proposition 8 compared with 61-39 percent support for Proposition 22 in 2000.

The entire exercise comes across as merely sour grapes – my way or I’ll take my marbles and go home.  The author also displays the flimsiest kind of faith in fearing contact with those who do not share it.

If Christians truly want to impress, instead of fleeing from the world and railing about how depraved everyone else is, they might think about engaging others and being walking examples of all of their values, not just a select few. It’s one of Jesus’s most fundamental lessons: Pull the plank of wood out of our own eyes before pointing out the splinter in someone else’s.

The teachings of Jesus are so profound and radical, however, that very few of us can actually live up to his precepts. And that goes for most who profess to be Christians, too.

© 2009 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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