The Contenders

• Apr. 11, 2006 - A Light vs. A Fool

I haven't received any other ideas for a debate topic, so I was busy trying to think of something.  As we are all interested in homeschooling, why don't we take a look at a homeschool issue. 

 

Old Business:

 

- Be sure to put which side you are contending for in the subject line of your comment/argument.

 

- If you know of any good debates here at HSB or of a debate website, let me know.

 

New Business:

 

-   none

 

Many parents who homeschool do so with the idea that it will only be until their child is in middle school or high school.  They feel that their child can then be a "light" in a dark world. 

 

The Debate

 

Do teens who have been homeschooled and then go on to public school become a "light" or do they become like a fool? 

Post A Comment!

• Apr. 13, 2006 - Fool

Posted by Kristal
I unforuntaly have not seen one homeschooled child that then went on to high school stay the "light" most I know of are girls and I can remember 2 of them that ended up prego. And another that didn't end up graduating. In our hearts we want to believe that they will always be the light, but to do that you really have to brace them for what they are going to be entering!!
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• Apr. 13, 2006 - Light

Posted by DreweLlyn
I'm weighing in on the side of light, but somewhat conditionally. I have two children in the public high school. DS17 was homeschooled 2 - 8th grade and is now a senior. DD14 was homeschooled k-8th grade and is a freshman. There is tremendous pressure to "snuff" out the light, and I can honestly say I have seen some negative behavioral changes in both children after they went to ps. But, I have also seen that they are independent thinkers and have a firm foundation. Both love the Lord dearly and seek to please Him in all they do, sometimes they get confused, but they are shining. My two ps children have made friends with other godly children, and while they may flicker, they do shine in an extremely dark place. They have had opportunities to share their hope and godly advice with those who are unchurched and unChristian.
Even though I'm saying "light", I also realize there are always exceptions and many factors involved. You can't say, "All homeschooled children are a light in the public schools." And neither can you say, "All homeschooled children fall apart if they go to public school." Keeping the "light" burning has much to do with a young person's commitment level to Christ and having family and friends to hold them accountable.
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• Apr. 18, 2006 - 99% not light, why risk that yours would be the 1%?

Posted by
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/humpty/114473/

My blog (above) was on highschoolers being salt, not light, but the premise is the same. We can't expect children that we are teaching to be light, to be put in such a dark place. Their little bit of light will get snuffed out.

SEE MY BLOG ABOVE

Edited by humpty on Apr. 21, 2006 at 8:14 PM
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• Apr. 18, 2006 - Weighing in again

Posted by DreweLlyn
First, I will say that I, too, could offer many arguments on the "fool" side. "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm," says Proverbs 13:20. I've also been known to say that there is a reason we don't send 13 year-olds to fight in Iraq. Quite honestly, I really lean toward the "fool" side, but I'm going to speak for the non-status quo (among homeschoolers) for this one.

First of all, are we speaking of homeschooled children in general, or Christian homeschooled children? As the HS movement grows, more and more non-Christians are joining the ranks. We can't expect the non-Christian to shine the light of Christ anywhere.

Secondly, not all families that call themselves Christian are actively trying to instill Godly values in their children. Their priorities are more academic, or more in response to negative peer pressure at ps rather than training in righteousness. Those students may not have adequate "equipment" to shine.

Quite honestly, even children in the same Godly, righteousl-training, homes have different personalities and levels of commitment to Christ.

There are too many variables involved to clearly say homeschoolers in ps are "fools" or "light".

I will say that a young person who is deeply committed to the Lord, has a strong sense of who he/she is in Christ, and has a good network of godly friends and good communication with his/her family can't help but be a light in an extremely dark place.

Proverbs 20:11 says, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."

1 Timothy 14:12 says, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."


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• Apr. 21, 2006 - Lights or Fools

Posted by
I agree with DrewLlyn.


I think it is more likely that they will become like a fool though. As a Christian homeschooling parent to decide to only go 3/4 of the way is unacceptable to me. When I was convicted to teach my children at home in the admonition of the Lord I was not convicted 3/4 of the way but all the way until they were no longer under my authority which is until after highschool. I don't really understand why a parent would send their children/sheep into a building filled with wolves who will contantly be trying to devour them. They are in my opinion to weak and vulnerable a prey for the devil to feast on.

JoYfully in Him,
Kelli

Edited by JavaMama on Apr. 21, 2006 at 7:40 PM
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• Apr. 28, 2006 - Fool

Posted by ronandjess
In the book The Harsh Truth About Public Schoold by Bruce N. Short he has a chapter called "Are your children unequally yoked?" And in it a section titled "But my child is salt and light." He lists it as one of the excuses parents use to send their children to public schools. He has many great points and uses Psalm 144:11-12 as one example, it says "Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our doughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace." Also remember that even Christ was not ready to begin his ministry until he was thirty.
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