Depending on where you sit politically, certain things about American history can be viewed differently. Take for instance the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. The laws were intended to halt treason while the nation was under threat from war with France. (Yes, those people who had helped America gain her freedom from Great Britain were now saber-rattling against us.)
The United States was a mere 13 years old and had endured a healthy dose of discussion over the contents of the United States Constitution. The two factions were known as the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and their main contention had to do with wording in the Constitution that dealt with the power of the federal government verses the power of the individual states. America was an experiment in republican collectivism, and the concern was that the federal government would overstep its authority and consume the states’ rights. (This particular argument was settled for all intents and purposes with the American Civil War where states rights were trampled by the massive federal government.)
The Constitution was ratified in 1789 with language meant to protect states rights in Amendments 9 and 10 of the Bill of Rights. A meager nine years later, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were used to tamp down opposition to the federal government, giving credence to the Anti-Federalists’ concerns. This is one reason why there was such animosity between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. These men, both who ardently fought for the formation of the United States of America, had very different ideas about how that new nation would govern. You see, depending on your point of view, things can look very different. (We exercise our right to vote every four years hopefully as an expression of our point of view and how this nation should be governed.)
As homeschoolers, we often encounter how important your point of view is particularly as it relates to education and our children. Each of us has a point of view about what is important and how it gets implemented in our individual homeschools. Our point of view also has implications in our support groups, as the philosophy of groups differ in how they offer support. As groups, how do we support one another? Shall we have open membership or not? What will be the purpose of our meetings, and what will the meetings be like? There are a myriad of questions that need to be addressed when we decide what flavor our groups will be.
The pertinent question is what influences your point of view? Other questions to consider might be: How do you strengthen your point of view and remain focused on its merits? Is there an appropriate time to alter your point of view?
As homeschoolers, we have stepped outside the “norm” of our society and have essentially revolted against the establishment, much as our American revolutionaries did in breaking away from the British. And now, there are differing points of view about the future of this movement and how it will be implemented, much as the Federalists and Anti-Federalists discussed in the later part of the 18th century.
So what will influence your point of view on this matter? What will strengthen it and promote its merits? What might alter it?
After 25 years of offering a conference meant to encourage homeschoolers of many stripes, and serving the homeschool community in a variety of ways such as Introductory Seminars, High School and Beyond Seminars, the Apprenticeship/Mentorship/Entrepreneurialship endeavor, as well as many other events meant to encourage homeschool families, we pray that CHEC has been a part of promoting the merits of homeschooling for you and your groups.
Mike and Paula
Philemon 1:4, 25
Copyright July 2009, all rights reserved
Contact Paula {at} chec {dot} org for reprint permission
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