We're giving the government a reason to regulate homeschooling

Discussion in 'Homeschooling in the News' started by Cornish Steve, Mar 7, 2010.

  1. MegCanada

    MegCanada New Member

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    Back in University I used to call myself an Agnostic - but it never really fit right. Neither did Atheist, though I sure had issues with the God I was taught about as a child in school. Lead me the quiet waters by? No, thanks. I'd rather find my own way. The Lord is my shepherd? Hey, I'm not a sheep! And why do the people who preach love seem to practice so much hate?

    Then I happened across Buckminster Fuller (mathematician and philosopher), and I found a God I could believe in. His writings dovetail nicely both with my Quaker upbringing and my inherent distrust of dogma.

    In "No More Secondhand God and Other Writings", Bucky wrote:

    Bucky's God is made manifest in order - in trees and fractals and ripples emanating out from a stone dropped in a pond, all of which are in motion, growing, changing and living. It's what I feel closest to in these first warm days of Spring. :love:
     
  2. Ava Rose

    Ava Rose New Member

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    I do get what others are saying...but I never tried to find a God that suited me...or one I could believe in. Instead, I sought after the true God. Sure there were times it was challenging, difficult, and painful. Sure there were times I had to re-examine myself and to rethink my thoughts on the world. There were things I did not quite understand and things I was not sure I agreed with. But seeking truth is not always easy. I'd rather have truth than my own carnal comfort. So, I allowed myself moments of confusion and took on the challenges true faith brings. This was not about me...it was about truth.

    I understand that others feel differently. Some seek a truth that centers around their own worldview or thoughts and feelings. Some reject a truth that was told incorrectly and thus try to find an alternative. Some just don't believe. For me, the bible is absolute truth. Which also leads me down the slippery slope of believing Christ is the answer to everything. So, I suppose I see no truth in finding a God one can believe in as opposed to finding a true God. My mother went shoe shopping for religion at one time. I had a friend do the same. She was intent on finding a church that did not condemn smoking and drinking because she enjoyed doing it.

    These are just some thoughts...not directed at anyone in particular but of course is a reflection of what I have read here...and experienced outside of HSSpot.
     
  3. MegCanada

    MegCanada New Member

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    When I say "a God I can believe in", I mean as opposed to "a God I can't believe in". A way of thinking about God that makes sense, in other words.

    As for "the true God"... I think it would be the height of hubris to imagine I'll ever have a lock on what Truth is. I can only do the best I can to understand, be humble about what little I know, and be aware that my understanding has - and always will have! - limits.
     
  4. Ava Rose

    Ava Rose New Member

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    I see your difference. I was speaking to the concept of seeking a God that fits a person's mold rather than allowing God to mold you. I have no idea where you fall to be honest. You are not the only one who brought up this concept..or should I say made me think of it...obviously that was not your intended thought.

    Really? I think truth is easily determined. We judge falsehoods and truth all the time. Either something is true or it's not. Sure, there are things that contain elements of truth..but in the end..it's true or it isn't. Either I am going to heaven or I am not...either God exists or He does not. I believe in a God that will lead you to truth since He is not the author of confusion.

    Knowing truth does not mean one is all knowing. I know God is true but I am clueless as to why he choose to make grass green or give man free will. I do not understand all the things of God...don't claim to. Yet, I know the truth. We are all learning. At some point, we all realize that our human minds cannot understand or compare to the mind of a mighty powerful God. Yet, that does not detract from the truth God presents.
     
  5. MegCanada

    MegCanada New Member

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    And how often are we wrong, when we judge? How many people do we hurt, when we judge? I try to keep an open mind, because I have been wrong a lot. And I think the greatest sin is to do damage to another person, especially through hasty judgment or ignorance.

    For example... when I was young I met a man who made me very uncomfortable. I didn't know why, but I knew he scared me, so I judged him to be a dangerous person. A bad person. And I had friends who agreed - he's weird, he must be a real creep!

    Then one day, I was holding a friend's ferret in my hands. I turned around and there was this man standing behind me. He saw the ferret in my hands, turned sheet white and almost fainted.

    And suddenly it all fell into place. This poor man made me uncomfortable because he was terribly, terribly scared and anxious. About everything! I was picking up on his fear, but he wasn't a threat to me. My judgment had been wrong. I hadn't understood him at all. I was so sorry for everything I'd said about him.

    I don't believe life is about struggle, or self-denial. I don't think life is hard at all. I think life is a joy, and a gift, and I do my best to appreciate every moment of it - especially when things aren't going well! There's always beauty to be found, even in the unlikeliest places. An rainbow colored oil slick, a comedy show benefiting Mental Health, a smile shared with a stranger...

    Things are often true, except when they're not. It's always bad to find maggots in meat... except when the meat is your arm and the maggots are removing the dead flesh so that the doctors can successfully heal you. Then they're downright beautiful. :love:
     
  6. Ava Rose

    Ava Rose New Member

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    Meg,

    I do get what you are saying. I also agree that we can be wrong. I am not right about everything...far from it. I do not know everything biblical. I am not prideful...well..I am flawed and human so pride is in there! lol...but I am not trying to elevate myself. What I am saying is that I know my faith is real and true. Yes, I KNOW it. I have experienced it...I have tested it...I have done everything with it. Over the years many of my thoughts and interpretations have changed and been refined...but that was me...God was ever so patient with me as I learned. I know Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again 3 days later. I know salvation is a gift. I know the true Word. Which is how I also know I am not perfect and that I will never know everything until I'm on the other side.

    This world causes us to have many doubts and fears. Sadly, that can cause us to be cynical and doubt even a loving God. God's representatives on earth can cause us to run in the other direction...what a heartbreaking shame.

    The maggot example...really can tell you how ugliness can truly be beautiful if stop and look to it's purpose. It can show how our initial reaction is wrong...but the truth of the maggot never changed and was always there. Sometimes we need to have our eyes opened. The maggot didn't change...we just saw what was really there. The same is with the truth....maggot is the truth...thinking it is disgusting is like our doubt. Soon we learn that maggots have a purpose and a truth...one we just didn't see before..but it was always there. The same way God is always there but we often turn away because of painful experiences or those who misrepresented Him. You see the maggot was never a falsehood.

    Okay..that was fun. :) All the love in the world Meg. It seems to me that you have had things alter your view of God in a negative fashion. I can understand that. I pray I am not one of those...I really am not trying to be. Forgive me for taking every opportunity to share the love for Christ I have in my heart, if it is coming out only to confirm your doubts or hubris. I should not feel the need to redirect negative feelings for God...but I feel it's not God who disappoints but man and religion. Sadly, it can be so hard to find God through all the obstacles. It took me time...a lot of time.
     
  7. MegCanada

    MegCanada New Member

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    No need to worry, Ava! :) I don't think anyone should have to apologize for speaking clearly and honestly what's in their hearts. I've enjoyed our conversation, too!

    I mean what I said - life is joy. If I think differently from you on issues of religion, that doesn't worry me in the slightest. You are entitled to your point of view, and I'll be the first to say you may be absolutely correct. But even so, I'll keep on going with what works for me, because it does work - for me!

    I have been blessed with an abundance of friends, family, and enough material comfort that I have the ability to reach out and help others. Every time I've needed help, help has been there. Even in the sad times, I've always found comfort and meaning and something to grow on.

    And hey - my homeschool student beat his multiplication time challenge today! And not only that, but when he got bogged down he ultimately decided to persevere, instead of giving up. Maybe he only did it because I said my son would be disappointed if he left before they could play - but he still did it, and he worked hard, so I'm proud of him. What a difference from the quiet, tense, shut-down boy I got a month and a half ago. :cool:
     
  8. Ava Rose

    Ava Rose New Member

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    :)....Yep, we all have our own perspectives. Just happy we can share them and learn from others without strife.

    I am pleased you are living a blessed and joyful life. I wish you all the success and blessings this world has to offer. I think it's key to find ways to grow through hard times...I think that's why we have hard times.

    I am proud of your student! That is wonderful! I love seeing kids persevere and come out on top. I'm sure your comment was the jolt he needed....and if so, then great! He still learned he could persevere and get it done. Gentle guidance...and especially the kind that makes a kid think it was his idea..lol...is the best!
     
  9. BrandyBJ

    BrandyBJ New Member

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    Um, boy-alot to read. 2 things-mine are brief (for a change).

    I just don't like that they have changed the wording of a THEORY to an ACTUALITY. It seems they should teach it as a theory, regardless.

    Um, and from the very original post....federal govt cannot regulate homseschooling as it would not be a commerce question-but they could impose on state's to attempt to regulate it (like the no child left behind act-state's are NOT required to follow it; they just don't get federal monies if they don't...and we all know which way the states would choose on that....). BUT, it would be unconstitutional to impose such state regulations on a national level-and the chances of the Supreme Court saying the Federal govt has that right are practically nil (and it would be gauranteed to go that far-because we all know hser's don't give up very easily!!!).

    It has been very interesting to read different people's take on this issue/topic.
     
  10. ColoradoMom

    ColoradoMom New Member

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    Well I didn't read the whole thread but as a parent and a scientist I have a pretty strong opinion on this subject.

    One - I don't believe in "evolution" as Darwin wrote it. It is so bogus I don't even know where to start.

    And two - my opinion has nothing to do with religion, as I don't believe in the Creation story either.

    I will teach my son the part sof the evolutionary theory I believe to be true, genetics and fossil records etc... as well as the parts of the ID theory I believe COULD be true, life was desinged and DNA/Moleculary Biology is a masterful plan of engineering... and I will back both up with good argements.

    But I will not look him in the eye and say that speciation ever happened and that EVERY LIVING THING ON EARTH came from some common single cell ancestor because to be quite frank - that is JUST STUPID.

    How any scientist can state will a straight face that that presumption makes even the TINIEST bit of sense is beyond me.

    Just my opinion... ;)
     
  11. mandiana

    mandiana New Member

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    I really found your post intriguing. So what do you think did happen?
     
  12. simka2

    simka2 New Member

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    I've been lurking in this thread and actually did read the whole thing. It is very intriguing as I am one who also struggles with the creation record, and the other extreme of primordial soup :)

    Curious to read more science based discussions on it!
     
  13. ColoradoMom

    ColoradoMom New Member

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    LOL...Oh, I have no idea! I might have lots of opinions, but answers - no. ;)

    Using good deduction skills, the most logical explanation is that life was designed and that DNA is nothing more than a very impressive and brilliant blueprint.

    We don't know how old the universe it - but science believes it to be billions of years old. We have such a myopic view, our own galaxy is about as far as we get, but there are billions of galaxies. Those galaxies must surely have something in them that is organic, and if that is the case, then surely some of those organisms have reached the intelligence and technology the level of humans - or even surpassed it.

    On the other hand, it is certainly true that genetics can be manipulated and that there is great evidence that the horse *might* be one animal that DID evolve from a very primitive ancestor to its current state. Emphasis on *might*.

    I was in this PhD program a few years ago. It was molecular biology based, even if you were there to do protein chemistry, we all took the same CORE classes. One was evolutionary biology.

    That professor came into the lecture hall and right off the bat told a room full of very intelligent people that if they questioned evolution, they do not belong in science. Seriously, if scientists feel the need to bully their theories and oust those who disagree with them then we have a BIG problem. We might as well go back to the days of Galileo. Yet this happens all the time.

    My son will learn *about* evolution, but in a Medelian sort of way - who is greatly underappreciated in my opinion. He was the genius. When you look at the whole molecular biology basis of things there is no smoking gun there that says any *natural* mutation has ever produced such fanciful enhanced modifications, let alone entirly new species that number in the millions. So things look alike and so what if there are huge similiarities? If you look at the Atari and the Playstation 3, they have similiarities too, don't they. It means nothing other than a design worked and that design got better.

    Think about it - if speciation has happened MILLIONS of times, then where's the proof? Believe me, there isn't any. If there were we'd all know about it because the Darwinists would be shouting from the roof-tops.

    As far as Creation goes, the Darwinists mock the faithful for believing in a "myth", yet they have created their own bible story about life. Where's the difference? At least the faithful have put their convictions in a higher power and bow down to be humble in front of it. To the Darwinists - the human mind is the ultimate higher power.

    I like it when scientists say "I don't know" because at least they are being honest. There are very FEW things we can be 100% sure of, and evolution doesn't even come close. We have very little of the whole story. I take the let's wait and see attitude - let's keep an open mind so we don't miss something important should it ever present itself.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2010
  14. mandiana

    mandiana New Member

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    I totally agree. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint! :)
     
  15. Cornish Steve

    Cornish Steve Active Member

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    And this is the true spirit of science - no preconceptions, a willingness to accept new information, and a spirit that is open to new ideas. :)
     

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