Thursday, September 3, 2009

Pres. Obama as Teacher of the Hour

Pres. Obama will be visiting many of the nation's classrooms next Tuesday via satellite. To me, this just emphasizes the fact that public schools are government schools. Though I am sure the President's speech will be largely innocuous (it is supposed to be about taking responsibility in school and goal setting), it is completely subversive to the parents' god-given rights to guide and raise up their children. I don't want the president discussing responsibility and goals with my kids. I want those things to come from a biblical perspective and taught by me and my husband. Those two things need to be rooted in the Bible and bringing glory to God not rooted in humanistic, pluralistic thinking.

By the way. . .
Yes, I am aware that the first Pres. Bush also did a similar talk back in 1991. Even though I liked Pres. Bush (granted I was in high school and not as much of a critical thinker), I think today I would still say the same thing. The president has no business helping my children set goals.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes, it's the parents' responsibility, but I think it's over the top to be upset that the highest elected official in our nation is going to give a motivational talk about goal-setting and responsibility. Why can only a parent tell a child that responsibility and goal setting are good things? If my dentist wants to remind my kids to do their best at school work should I hush her and tell her that only I as their parent have the right to encourage them in that way?

Frances Clements said...

The difference is that at the dentist I would be there to hear what the dentist said. I would be included in the conversation. If the dentist said something like, "Keep up the good work at school" or something along those lines I would be fine. Encouraging is one thing. But if the dentist started outlining things that he/she wanted my child to accomplish in the school year or tried to help my kids set goals. . . that would be over the top to me. I would be offended and think, "Who do you think you are?" If the dentist gave me a list of follow up questions such as, "Are you able to do what the dentist ask you to do?" or some other thing making it clear that the dentist is an authority figure when it comes to goals and responsibilities, I would be mad. So like I said, encouraging is one thing. Nobody has the right to become an educational authority figure for my children but me. I can choose to delegate some tasks or limited responsibility to others, but that doesn't change my role. These people are under my jurisdiction not me under theirs (at least in the educational arena). My husband and I should still be the guiding educational force in our kids' lives.

Unknown said...

ok, let's say the police department comes in to tell students not to do drugs. is it their responsibility to teach kids that? no, we all know it's the parents' responsibility. are the polive going to give Godly reasons not to do drugs like i would? no. but are they going to give good reasons not to do drugs? yes. will they contradict the things i have said about not doing drugs? no. i have no problem with my kids hearing this sort of thing from a source other than me. same thing about setting goals and taking responsibility. i'm glad to have others echo what i say about these things. you and i could go around and around on this and not change our views, i think we just see it differently. i think you're most worried about the control issue, while i think a 15 minute talk isn't enough to remove me as my kids'guiding educational force.

Scott said...

My answer of course, is to not have my kids in government schools to begin with (see my latest post for an oldie but a goodie video on the reason why)

Frances Clements said...

Yes, I guess if 8 hours of anti-Christian worldview doesn't bother you then an extra 15 minutes won't matter. I did see your post and the video was nice. I had seen it before, but it was still a good reminder.

Unknown said...

that's again where you and i differ in thought- i don't think school is 8 hours a day of "ANTI-Christianity." if i did feel that way, you know i wouldn't have my kids there.

Frances Clements said...

Becky,
What worldview would you say is taught via the public school?