This is the fourth post in a series. The first post, What Happened to Our Constitution? — Part 1, linked to posts at American Civilization by James Atticus Bowden. Below, I provide links to the second and third posts.
- Part 2 – The Direct Election of Senators
- Part 3 – Income Tax
- Part 4 – Public Education
- Part 5 – American Isolation
Public Education
Our public school system cannot fail to teach children the wrong lesson. However, before we consider that problem squarely, let’s consider a passage from the Bible.
Ephesians 6:10-20 (New International Version)
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Tradition has it that the Apostle Paul’s life ended in martyrdom (see here and here). As an apostle, Paul taught the Gospel. Due to the opposition of the Roman state, Paul risked his life to teach. Eventually, Roman authorities put him to death.
In Paul’s time, state authorities left no doubt they opposed religious freedom. In our era, we are filled with doubts. Unlike the Roman state, our government supposedly supports religious freedom. Nonetheless, politics remains a struggle over power. Just as in ancient times, unethical men and women still strive for power. Just as in ancient times, some still seek to thwart our efforts to put on the full armor of God.
So it is not by accident that the public school system is a government-run monopoly. That fact severely complicates the educational responsibilities of parents, particularly the instruction of their children in word of God.
- Government-run schools soak up the time children have to learn. Because government-run schools cannot teach religious values, children have less opportunity to learn about the Bible.
- Government-run schools permit parents no choice over who instructs their children. So the example set by school authorities may not be reflective of the parent’s values.
- Government-run schools provide special interests the opportunity to use their influence to manipulate educational content. Such manipulated content made be directly contrary to what parents believe.
- Government-run schools function as socialist entities. Such schools are inherently inefficient. Even those administrators and teachers with the best of intentions may be thwarted by an inept government bureaucracy.
- Government-run schools provide an example directly contrary to the operation of a free society. Instead of preparing children to operate in a free market economy, government-run schools prepare children for socialism. In a government-run school, children begin their public lives immersed within a wholly socialist institution.
In an ideal world, each child would be taught by its own loving parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and elder siblings and cousins. Since this is not an ideal world, the second best solution is a school chosen by loving parents. Unfortunately, we have foolishly given up that choice. Because of that foolishness, we have no reason to wonder how a socialist such as Barack Obama got elected to the presidency. We have a simple and obvious answer. From our earliest years, we are taught to vote for socialism. Wrong though that choice may be, too many absorbed the lesson.
For the hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world. — William Wallace in this poem
