NC family no longer allowed to homeschool?

Gee. I thought we had freedom of religion here. I didn't know a judge could determine where a child could go to church!

No, actually I did know that. I know a woman whose husband had been previously married, with a young girl. This family was told they could NOT take that girl to ANYTHING at the church they attended, because the mother considered it a cult. Was it? Well, I taught Sunday School there for many years, and look at me now! I homeschool, believe in creation rather than evolution, am conservative, against abortion and gay rights, don't work outside the home.... YEP! I must be a cult member!!!

 

This judge comes off as such a sexist PIG!!

Hey jackie, if you are a cult member, i must be too! lol! Uh oh~we had better watch our back or the next thing ya know they will be after the "HSS cult"~ LOL!!

Really though, this is soooo sad for the moma and the kids!

 

I read the entire court document on this case as the link was passed around another list. I don't have the link anymore though, the whole thing was making me feel a little ill.

The mom belongs to the Sound Doctrine church/cult. Her parents, lifelong friends, etc. came forward in court to say that she has been brainwashed and they are worried for the kids. They see the kids becoming more and more withdrawn, afraid to speak without their mom's okay, the 9 yr old even wetting himself when afraid he said something wrong. Former Sound Doctrine members testified that the church/cult requires parents to 'break' their kids. Stuff like waking them up in the middle of the night and yelling at them to do push ups etc. One parent said that when she told church leaders that her child was totally distraught by this and having accidents, unable to sleep, etc. the leaders said, push harder, you have to push until they break! The male leader has reportedly told parents such things as - your 7 yr old daughter is the kind of girl who could seduce a pastor! This mom was taking trips with the church/cult leaders with the children. She took them to Washington state to stay with them for a few weeks.

The judge specifically said in open court that this is not against homeschooling. It is the father's wish that they return to school and he sided with the dad. He ordered that she not leave the state with them and to allow more time with the dad. He will begin sharing more of the custody. Depending on her pysch eval., I could see her losing custody.

This is truly sad for all involved and who knows, the dad may be a jerk too. But it was way more than homeschooling or Christian beliefs that caused this ruling.

 

Thanks for clarifying! Based on that, I can understand the dad's/judge's concern. But that doesn't excuse his adultery. Also, what determines a cult? If you want to label a church a cult, you need VERY CLEAR guidelines. I can see the government deciding just about any church as a "cult" if they don't except PC crap.

 

If it comes out that the 'pastor' really does see 7 yr olds as a sexual possibility, and members are told to 'break' their kids, I'd say that's 'very clear' evidence the stupid mom belongs to a cult. She probably joined this group because she was weak minded after her divorce. The most likely offered stability she felt she needed.

 

Strangely enough, family, friends, and dad say that she left the family church for this one first. Outside reports said the marriage was stable and happy. Former SD members, say the pastor's MO is to break up families. After time in the cult, then came the adultery (still way wrong) and the divorce. Evidently this church's doctrine says that any happiness on earth is wrong. You must forfeit all belongings, connections, be 'broken' to the will of the church in order to get to heaven. The pastor and his wife are 'mom' and 'dad' to all their followers.

Obviously something was amiss with the mom that family and friends missed to get involved with this group in the first place. Perhaps that is related to a jerk of a dad, but no way of knowing.

Poor kids though - any way you look at it, it sucks for them. :cry:

 

I think the judge was trying to avoid calling it a cult, even though there was strong evidence. It is a tough call. I think not wanting to declare it a cult is why the mom still has joint custody. He's trying not to totally cut off someone's religious beliefs while still trying to protect the kids from harm. <shrug> you'd need the wisdom of Solomon to figure stuff like this out. The judge is just a guy trying to make the best decision he can in imperfect circumstances.

I think I am feeling more compassionate toward judges since my aunt became a family court judge. She raised 3 kids and worked as a med tech until her mid-40's. Then went to law school, practiced law for 15 years, and then became a judge! She's kind of a hero of mine. ;-) She became a judge a couple of years after fighting off aggressive breast cancer (couldn't do chemo due to a heart condition) and then immediately after radiation and surgery, traveling to Tanzania for mission work. Tough and smart, and raised a family - good qualities in a judge I think.

 

WOW! I didn't realize there were things like this that existed. I just like to live in ignorant bliss.

I hope the mom can realize the TRUTH, and step away from this cult. And I hope the kids will not be affected any more than they already have. I don't condone the father's actions...he should be trying to lead his WIFE towards the light of Christ.

In all, as much as it steps on the freedom of choice to school your own kids...seems like the kids are better off not being at home in the process of being "broken". Makes me sad just thinking of their little broken hearts.

 

I know we don't have the whole picture.
I think the judge is doing his best, this is a very disturbing situation...not a typical homeschool vs public school situation.
I am sad that the father did not or was not able to protect his wife from this church. His infidelity is definitely wrong. There is no excuse for it. His responsability was to be the spiritual leader of his family...if that meant to move them away or whatever then he should have done that...however, our society would call that kidnapping if she did not want to go.
It is a Soloman sort of situation.

 

I do not agree that a judge should order the kids back into public school but it does sound like there are some other issues going on here. If there is concern over the mother's Church and the fact that it could be a cult that has questionable practices then maybe temporary custody should be given to the father. Just because she is not homeschooling does not mean that she will not be influencing them or having the Church influence them. Something smells fishy about this on all sides.

 

If this is true, I can see why the judge ordered her to enroll them in Public School.

See, what they are doing is something similar to what the military does to recruits. They break you down, so they can mold you into what they want you to be.

Also, it sounds like the male leader is trying to make a move on the 7 year old girl. He is planting a seed with the mother, so when her daughter tells her that the pastor has been messing with her, she will think the little girl was the one who made the move. How sick!

 

I hope we get to hear if it's overturned. Are any other homeschool parents considering assisting with this fight?

 

Ummm...well, probably not considering the facts that came out. Read the rest of the thread.