Why I Homeschool

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Exclusive: Dave Welch laments fact 90% of Christian children are educated in humanism

Posted: December 02, 2008
1:00 am Eastern 

 

By Dave Welch on WorldNet Daily

How could this nation, founded on the solid foundation of Judeo-Christian traditions that produced personal freedom, political stability, economic prosperity and cultural unity, slide so far from those roots? Is this indeed just the “end times” or the “last days” pre-ordained by God and described in His word as a great falling away from Him with its resulting fruits of moral anarchy?

The TAX system Explained IN SIMPLE TERMS so liberals MIGHT even understand!

Attributed to: David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D, Professor of Economics. University of Georgia

Sometimes politicians, journalists and others exclaim; “It’s just a tax cut for the rich!” and it is just accepted to be fact. But what does that really mean?

Just in case you are not completely clear on this issue, I hope the following will help. Please read it carefully. Let’s put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand.

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for dinner and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that’s what they decided to do.

The ten men ate dinner in the restaurant every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.

“Since you are all such good customers,” he said, “I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily meal by $20.” Dinner for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still eat for free. But what about the other six men – the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his ‘fair share?’

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to eat their meal.

So, the restaurant owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to eat for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

“I only got a dollar out of the $20,” declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,” but he got $10!”

“Yeah, that’s right,” exclaimed the fifth man. “I only saved a dollar, too. It’s unfair that he got ten times more than me!”

“That’s true!!” shouted the seventh man. “Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!”

“Wait a minute,” yelled the first four men in unison. “We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!”

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn’t show up for dinner, so the nine sat down and ate without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start eating overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

Amen and Amen!

What I learned while in Elementary School: This is What Settles Homeschooling for Me

What I learned in Kindergarten in 1970. I learned that boys and girls have different parts in their underwear. A group of us took our underwear off to show off our haves and have nots. Where was the teacher, who knows. In that same setting I also found out that when you touch a person of the opposite sex in the place where they have or have not, that something feels different inside. I also learned that kissing girls is not that much fun, but it is the grown up thing to do. I also leaned that boys can pee up a wall higher than girls can.

What I learned in First Grade in 1971. I learned some really good words I had never heard before. I also learned that saying those words can get you in lots of trouble. I learned that being sexually abused by a 6th grade boy is also possible, even if you are a boy yourself. I also learned to tell my parents lies about things I did or did not do at school so that they would be proud of me. I learned how to walk home alone, the mile and a half each way was good exercise, especially while running away from bullies who wanted to beat me up.

What I learned in Second Grade in 1972. I learned how to cut the hair of many of my classmates. Their barbers and hairstylists were happy for the additional business. I learned not to tell people about what doctors tell you about your own body. That stuff must be personal. I learned that girls do not like boys to pull their panties up from the back, that is also when I found out when you get slapped by little girls it hurts.

What I learned in Third Grade in 1973. I learned some farm terms in class. I used them during recess to make fun of classmates. I learned that the principle does not like being called “manure face” to her face. I learned that principles know how to use their paddles. I learned about death, a sixth grader died in a freak sand-pile accident. I also learned that life goes on after caring for about five minutes. I learned that you are always supposed to call weaker boys “faggots” or “sissies” and pick on them until they cry. I found out what Playboy and Penthouse were. The back corner of the playground is a good place to get away from teachers to look at pictures of naked women.

What I learned in Fourth Grade in 1974. I learned that my next to best friend’s dad was killed by a drunk driver. I learned that my best friend drank alcohol. I learned how to cheat in school (SRA reading cards) and to be good at it. I also learned that if you do not get caught cheating people think you are smart. I learned that calling the person next to you “four-eyes” can make them cry, especially if they are girls. I learned what marijuana was, I saw a boy smoking a joint before school. I also learned from the sixth grade boys what masturbation was. I learned from a classmate that church is the place to bring a large trash bag full of marijuana to show off that you found your dad’s stash. I also learned that dad’s hate having their stash displayed for all to see.

What I learned in Fifth Grade in 1975. I learned that girls have breasts and bras. I also learned that you are not supposed to touch either or you get slapped. I learned that some teachers catch cheaters when some do not, mine did. I learned what “French kissing” was and wondered why they could not just keep their tongues in their mouths, it sounded gross. I found out what sex was. Girls at school took us to their house on the way home to show us different parts of their bodies and let us touch them to see what those parts felt like. This time was different than when I was in kindergarten, because this time I definitely responded to the different body parts that girls have. I first learned what oral sex was from a girl after school. I did not know that was what I was doing, she said it was a grown up thing to do.

What I Learned in Sixth Grade in 1976. I learned that in the back corner of the playground that sometimes breasts can be touched and not get slapped. I found out “French kissing” can make you sexually aroused. I learned that watching two boys masturbate in the bathroom is great for telling girls about what the two boys were doing. I learned that I have perfect pitch. I learned that some girls are not so bad to hang around with. I learned the word “bicentennial”. I learned that girls have pubic hair in the same places boys do and it looks like the same kind of hair. I also learned that girls have more than one color of pubic hair.

This is what I learned in elementary school in the early 1970’s. That was thirty years ago in a much more protected era. Maybe I will put together a Things I learned in Junior High and High School in the future.

What Does Being Salt and Light to the World Mean?

Concerning the concepts of public schools and Christianity.

When looking at the concept of Christians being Salt and Light to the world, it is important to remember what the passage states. First, take the salt passage of Matthew 5:13. The Holman Christian Standard Bible states, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.”

This salt metaphor is powerful. First, this passage is addressed to believers only. Second, it is addressed concerning character or reputation. If there is any doubt about this being about character or reputation, then consider what else it could be. Can it be the Christian? No, God would not have one of His to be called “no longer good for anything.” Can it be the eternal destiny of a man? No, a Christian is secure in the hands of the Son and the Father. It can be none other than the character or reputation of the believer.

Now, look at the Light metaphor in Matthew 5:14 – 16. The Holman Christian Standard Bible states, “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

This light metaphor is much more developed. First and foremost, this passage is explicitly for believers only. This is not for the general public or even regular church attendees. This is for believers who are living out their Christian faith. Second, “the city situated on a hill cannot be hidden” is seen by those in the valley or even those on a plateau. Light is seen it does not confront. I want to break the following into three sections. “Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” First, “let your light shine before men” must be a direct reference to Jesus being the Light of the world. Jesus must shine out of believers. Second, “so that they may see your good works” Biblically, what are good works? This is not a secular answer here; this is a Christian answer only. The good works of the believer is to care for the widows and orphans, to care for other believers, to demonstrate the love of Jesus. The good works are demonstrations of love. Finally, “and give glory to your Father in heaven” is not evangelism it is thankfulness to God for demonstrations of your love.

Now, I want to address Christian parents sending their children to the killing fields of the government school system in the name of their children being Salt and Light. I want to do a little math for you. First, I want you to multiply 185 Days of government school times 7 hours per day. You should come up with 1295 hours per year. Now add at least 200 additional hours for homework. Add 2.5 hours of Audio/Visual stimulation per day and that equals 912.5 hours. Add to that a total of 400 hours of daily personal appearance preparation. That is a total of 2807.5 hours a year of external influence away from the influence of parents. Now I want you to add to that number 9 hours a day for sleep times 365 days and you should have and additional 3285 hours. This is a total of 6092.5 hours under the influence of adults other than the parents.

Now I want to be generous to all Christian parents and say that they have their child in every possible activity at their church every moment the doors are open for attendance. Worship is 1 hour per week and discipleship classes are 1 hour per week and Bible study is 1 hour per week and Wednesday night services are 1 hour per week. That gives Christian parents a total of 4 hours per week times 52 weeks is 208 hours per week. In actuality most active school aged children attend 44 weeks per year. They also only attend worship and Bible study so that again limits their Christian influence. In reality Christian parents have their children under adult Christian influence for a total of 88 hours a year. They spend more time bathing and primping per year than they do under the influence of adult Christians.

I also know all Christian parents have children who spend at least 1 hour per day in personal Bible study and prayer. In reality, the average school aged student spends less than 5 minutes per day in Bible study and prayer. That means you can actually add an additional 30 hours a year to the 88 hours of Christian influence for a total of 118 hours a year.

There are 8760 hours in a year. 118 hours are directly under Christian Influence and 2807.5 hours are spent under the influence of non-Christian influences. That is 23.8 times as much time under the influence of persons who are not providing a Christian influence on students per year. Now look at the 13 years of education. Christian parents subject their children to a total of 36497.5 hours of non-Christian influence as compared to a total of 1534 hours of Christian influence.

Now, I want to ask any parent who wants to send their children into the government school system to be the Salt and Light of the world to answer a few questions. First, how long did Paul go into self imposed study before he allowed himself to teach? He was already a Biblical Scholar and already bold and brave so why did he spend three years in study before he went to be the Salt and Light to the world?

Now I want to ask some of the most important questions I can ever ask a parent. Do you want your child to become a Christian? Do you want your actions to shipwreck the faith of your children? If you knew your actions would destroy your child spiritually and condemn them to hell, would you change your actions?

Would you be surprised to know that government sponsored schools have purposed to impose relativism and secular humanism on the lives of all students as the religion of the citizens. John Dewey saw the public schools as indoctrination centers for this faith.

The following is taken from Dr. Albert Mohler’s Web Blog. (In his book, A Common Faith, Dewey advocated a radically secular vision for the public schools and the larger public culture. His concept of a humanistic faith, stripped of all supernatural claims, doctrines, and theological authorities, would replace Christianity as the dominant culture-shaping worldview. “Here are all the elements for a religious faith that shall not be confined to sect, class, or race,” he claimed. “Such a faith has always been the common faith of mankind. It remains for us to make it explicit and militant.” In his book, A Common Faith, Dewey advocated a radically secular vision for the public schools and the larger public culture. His concept of a humanistic faith, stripped of all supernatural claims, doctrines, and theological authorities, would replace Christianity as the dominant culture-shaping worldview. “Here are all the elements for a religious faith that shall not be confined to sect, class, or race,” he claimed. “Such a faith has always been the common faith of mankind. It remains for us to make it explicit and militant.”)

Christian parents who choose to send their children to government sponsored schools after knowing the facts, cannot do so in love.

Concerning Homeschool Education

Concerning Homeschool Education:

The Founding Fathers were taught by their parents and they had the best education of anyone in the world. During 18th Century Colonial America, there were no government sponsored schools. Why is this important? From a small population base, about the size of modern Philadelphia, this small country produced (not as a result of government sponsored schools): Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Henry, and myriads of others too numerous to mention. This small country during Colonial America produced such intellectual greatness that our current 300 million in population could not compare. Home schools from the 19th Century produced additional greatness including, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Edison. Home schooling is no strange phenomena, it is a tradition of excellence that the Founding Fathers exemplified and that the world still stands amazed at their genius.

The founding fathers fought for the right of freedom, freedom from a repressive government. It was not until the 1880’s that compulsory attendance laws concerning government sponsored school education were enacted. Until the 1880’s almost all children in this country were educated by their parents at home. They, the Founding Fathers, did not set up a federal educational system. No where within the Constitution of the United States do the words education or school appear. They allowed for each individual state, according to the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, to determine individual state needs when addressing education.

There are many in Arkansas who, over the last few months, have begun to question the adequacy of homeschooling in this state. There are many questioning facts concerning homeschooling. What are the facts concerning homeschooling? First, let us look at national standardized test scores. Total Reading scores are 87 compared to 50 for their government sponsored school counterparts. Total Language scores are 80 compared to 50 for their government sponsored school counterparts. Total Math scores are 82 compared to 50 for their government sponsored school counterparts. Science scores are 84 compared to 50 for their government sponsored school counterparts. Social Studies scores are 85 compared to 50 for their government sponsored school counterparts. These are undisputed facts. (1997 Study by Dr. Brian Ray – National Home Education Research Institute.)

There are many who believe that state regulation has a direct impact on scores. In states with high regulation (Arkansas is included in that category) scores are 86. In states with Moderate regulation (Tennessee is included in that category) scores are 85. Then in states with Minimal regulation (Oklahoma is included in that category) scores are 86. It is apparent that state regulation has little to do with test scores for homeschool students.

Then there are those who would say that parents are not capable of teaching their own children. In a study by Lawrence Rudner, http://www.ericfacility.net/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed435709.html for ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation in Washington DC he determined: 88% of homeschool parents have higher than high school education compared to 50% of the nation as a whole. 24% of homeschool students have parents who are trained, certified teachers. Test scores based on teacher certification of at least one parent of 4th grade homeschool students are 82 compared to 82% for parents without certification. Test scores based on teacher certification of at least one parent of 8th grade homeschool students are 83 compared to 84% for parents without certification.

There are even those who say minority students are adversely affected by homeschooling. A study concerning Virginia Government sponsored schools compared to homeschool students finds a significant reason to homeschool. National Reading Scores of homeschool students who are white is 87. National Reading Scores of homeschool students who are a minority is 87. Compare that to their government sponsored school counterparts. National Reading Scores of government sponsored school students who are white is 61. National Reading Scores of government sponsored school students who are a minority is 49. Then in math the same type of results are born out. National Math Scores of homeschool students who are white is 82. National Math Scores of homeschool students who are a minority is 77. Compare that to their government sponsored school counterparts. National Math Scores of government sponsored school students who are white is 60. National Math Scores of government sponsored school students who are a minority is 50. This shows a significant difference in levels of education taking place between the homeschool environment and the government sponsored school environment.

When measuring the difference in test scores by male and female in homeschools compared to government sponsored schools shows dramatic differences as well. National Reading Scores of homeschool students who are male are 87. National Reading Scores of homeschool students who are female are 88. Compare that to their government sponsored school counterparts. National Reading Scores of government sponsored school students who are male are 43. National Reading Scores of government sponsored school students who are female are 58. Then in math the same type of results are born out. National Math Scores of homeschool students who are male are 84. National Math Scores of homeschool students who are female are 79. Compare that to their government sponsored school counterparts. National Math Scores of government sponsored school students who are male are 52. National Math Scores of government sponsored school students who are female are 48. This shows a significant difference in levels of education taking place between the homeschool environment and the government sponsored school environment.

Even the amount of money spent by parents on Homeschool expenses has little to do with variants in scores as well. For 4th graders: they score a 79 with $0 – $199 spent on their education for the year. They score a 76 with $200 – $399 spent on their education for the year. They score a 79 with $400 – $599 spent on their education for the year. They score an 84 with $600 or more spent on their education for the year. Then for 8th graders: they score an 80 with $0 – $199 spent on their education for the year. They score a 76 with $200 – $399 spent on their education for the year. They score an 80 with $400 – $599 spent on their education for the year. They score an 83 with $600 or more spent on their education for the year.

Finally there are those who say homeschool students are not socialized. Here are the breakdowns by activity of homeschool students: 8% Scouts, 10% Dance/Ballet, 14% 4-H, 33% Volunteer Work, 34% Ministry, 35% Bible Classes, 42% Classes Outside Home, 47% Music Classes, 48% Group Sports, 74% Sunday School, 84% Field Trips, 87% Play with People Outside Family, 25% Other, 98% Involved in Two Or More Activities. To say that homeschool students are not socialized is a stretch of the truth. Homeschool students have wide and varying opportunities for socialization.

Homeschooling is a right and privilege for those who choose to take advantage of providing a superior education for their children. Homeschooling for whatever reason a parent chooses is still the right of the parent. The state has a constitutionally mandated obligation to make sure the children of the state are educated. When facts are presented, homeschooling is the most cost effective and least intrusive manner in which a child may be educated. Of the 1,065,138 seniors who took the ACT in the 1999-00 school year 4,593 were homeschool students. Government sponsored school students averaged a 21 on their test while homeschool students scored a 22.8. In 1998 homeschool students scored a 22.8 and in 1999 they scored a 22.7. During the same time private school students and government sponsored school students scored a 21. It is imperative that those who make law regarding those who homeschool have facts that pertain to homeschooling. Homeschooling provides a more in depth and better education than private schools (according to test scores) and government sponsored schools (according to test scores). It is self evident when considering the research with is now available that homeschool students overall are the best educated students in the country.