A new blog by the Alliance for the Separation of School and State asks:
I don’t want my children fed or clothed by the state, but if I had to choose, I would prefer that to their being educated by the state. – Max Victor Belz
Agree or disagree?
The quote draws an interesting comparison. I think things are beginning to change, but at least at one time, I think most people would have agreed with the first half of this quote without having to think about it. Who wants a handout from the state? My parents qualified for food stamps when I was a kid, but they chose not to apply, more out of pride than anything, I think. There is a stigma attached to receiving government services, and allowing the state to take over in the most basic aspects of child rearing implies that the parent is not fully capable of caring for that child.
Why is it any different with education? Why is it assumed that the state provided education is the standard which all other forms must live up to?
It reminds me of another, much older, quote.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.–Mat 10:28
Food and clothing from the state cannot on its own do harm to the recipient. Yes, there is a culture of dependency which often accompanies these services, but I would argue even that has more to do with the education of children raised in these environments as well as the messages we are continually being given. Education touches at the soul of the child. As Webster’s 1828 defines it, education is:
The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.
It is an immense responsibility, and it should not be turned over lightly.
I’ll tackle question #2 tomorrow.
via Grizzly Mama
Related Tags: homeschooling, education, parenting
Principled Discovery is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation! 
I think most parents feel they are not capable of educating their children, and now that we are in the 3rd and 4th generation of State schooling (with federal interference) they are probably right. Not many people have the critical thinking skills, ability to learn new things (that is, finding information and teaching one’s self) and love of learning that is required. It’s been drummed out of us by bell schedules and irrelevant and revisionist curricula.
Mama Says
Well, as a mom of an autistic child, I’ve kept him at home so far. I don’t mind help with therapy etc, but actual education, which will impart a philosophy on my children, I feel I need to be responsible for & very careful as to what they get. As far as help with buying diapers, I’ll take it!!:-(
I have used food stamps in the past, and considered them a blessing because they allowed me to stay home while my husband went back to school. We still qualify now but do not apply , because we can adequately provide for ourselves. What I liked about using food stamps was that I chose which food to buy (in contrast to the WIC program or even the local non-government food bank). I like to feed my family all natural, fresh food, no junk, nothing artificial, whole grains, etc. And I could do that. I’m sure plenty of people spend their food stamps on soda pop and Froot Loops. By way of comparison, a state education dictates the educational “diet” rather than assisting those who may not have the means to acquire what they need.
Just to be clear, I do not begrudge anyone in need of seeking the services which are available. That wasn’t my point.
I do think that meeting those needs is the responsibility of the local church and other, local community organizations but that isn’t the reality at the moment.
It goes back to my main point about education, though. So long as the parent realizes that their child’s education is their responsibility, delegating some authority to a local school is not a problem. The greatest factor in a child’s academic success is parental involvement.
It is similar with state assistance. So long as a person accepts help because they need it and not because they think it is someone else’s responsibility to take care of them, the system doesn’t get abused, and people get the help they need without the “culture of dependence” that develops in some groups.
HOW COULD 50 STATES BE WRONG?
Somewhere along the way, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have misinterpreted the U. S. Constitution. How could fifty States be wrong?
THIS IS VERY INTERESTING! The United States were founded on the principles of God, and an alliance with God. America’s founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions or preambles:
# Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
# Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land….
# Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…
# Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…..
# California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom……
# Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…….
# Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy……..
# Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences ……
# Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…
# Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…
# Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance, establish this Constitution….
# Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings….
# Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors….
# Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government….
# Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings to establish this Constitution
# Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges . establish this Constitution…..
# Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties…
# Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy……..
# Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine .. acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity …. and imploring His aid and direction.
# Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God or our civil and religious liberty…
# Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe … in the course of His Providence, an opportunity…and devoutly imploring His direction.
# Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom . establish this Constitution….
# Minnesota 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings…
# Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work…..
# Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . establish this Constitution ….
# Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty. establish this Constitution.
# Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom … establish this Constitution.
# Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution…
# New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
# New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors….
# New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty….
# New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
# North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those.
# North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…
# Ohio 1851, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common …
# Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty … establish this ..
# Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
# Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance.
# Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing.
# South Carolina 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina. grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
# South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil! and religious liberties … establish this….
# Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefensible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…
# Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God…
# Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution ..
# Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to … enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man…
# Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI … Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator . can be directed only by Reason … and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other …
# Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution ..
# West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia . reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God.
# Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility.
# Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties . establish this Constitution …
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong in their interpretations!
“Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.”
William Penn
Oh good Lord - I missed the birthing of the new baby. Congratulations and she is beautiful!!
Thank you for answering the question. I agree with you on the first that you answered in your entry here. Government welfare has been promoted as an ‘entitlement’ for quite some time now. We, too, have had the need to be on food stamps for a short period of time and it did help. I believe that’s what the system is for - to be a temporary help. Unfortunately many, MANY people abuse it.
My parents lived through the Great Depression. Accepting government handouts was a shameful thing to them. Interestingly enough, they both love FDR and ‘The New Deal’. They both mention the jobs. My mother and I had a conversation on this just last week and she was horrified when I suggested that FDR may have actually prolonged the depression with his deal. She would have none of it! lol.
On education, I do believe that most parents feel incapable of teaching their children. I certainly did at first - but I figured what the heck, how badly can I screw up Kindergarten?? After several years I realize that we have been lied to about educating children. The experts DON’T always know better and in fact they rarely do.
Thanks, Monica! And I agree. My grandparents lived through the depression, and they have the same kinds of feelings toward FDR. Even though everything about how they live their lives and their beliefs, etc. is conservative, at least one side is loyal Democrat because of FDR.