Baptists Consider Pulling Kids Because Schools Won't Do It Their Way

I recently read an article about a resolution presented at the Southern Baptist Convention urging Baptist parents to pull their children from public schools in favor of home schooling or Christian schools.

Yes, I have opinion about it, but I feel it unnecessary to articulate because it is ultimately their choice on what they do with their children. My view is also rather biased, as I think the Baptists (or at least the loudest ones) can often times be considered the religious extremists of the U.S.

However, reading this got me thinking about education in general. I heard on the radio recently a story about a school district adding a class on the bible and it's effect on history. That one actually bothered me more than the Baptist article because it seemed more like a ploy to force kids to read the bible (which was the primary textbook). The individual presenting the story discussed some textbooks written specifically for a class like this that discussed the positive and negative influences of the bible on history. Instead, for this class, they chose to use a textbook written by an organization devoted to getting the bible and christian prayer in schools that only focused on the positive influences. It just seems to me there are so many ways that we can incorporate these things in a more neutral and EDUCATIONAL way. ...and why is it that the bible and Christianity are the only religious topics anyone seems to want taught in schools?

The topic of religious education isn't the only issue, however. My honest opinion is that our primary and secondary educational system needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. This isn't something that can be done in one congressional session or with one No Child Left Behind Act, it is something that will take a lot of time, a lot of thought, discussion, debate, and open-mindedness, and a lot of serious effort, but it needs to be done. I have a lot of thoughts on this that I will, as I have time, try to put into words and share here, but that is for another time, because I could easily spend all day ranting.

In short, the improvements to the new school system would include such things as:
- College prep as a standard. I recently attended a graduation at my high school, at which 2 of approximately 40 students earned college prep certificates. At this school, the classes available & required to earn this certificate are the bare minimum needed to attend a public university, so if any of those kids want to go on to college later, they may have a difficult time being admitted.
- Desegregate our schools. Yes, they are still segregated, but it is now based on socio-economic status moreso than race.

I have many more less-refined thoughts regarding funding, extra-curriculars, course content, etc. I will try to bring some installments to expand on these things as I can get to it.

Until then,
Peace,

Alphadork

Bring 'Em In - A Must-Have

Lately, I have been wanting music, music, and more music. I have received a number of CDs and still haven't listened to them all enough to be familiar, yet I keep finding more and more that I want to get. Anyway, amidst this musical frenzy, one has stood out as one of the most excellent and enjoyable CDs I have ever requested, and it isn't even from the usual collection of alternative & punk:

Bring 'Em In by Buddy Guy. Seriously, give this album some consideration. If you like the Blues, Buddy Guy, or just good music, this is an album worth buying. It has some great new music, some great familiar songs ("Ain't No Sunshine"), and some enjoyable collaborations with Tracy Chapman, John Mayer, and Carlos Santana. It's a quality album that you really will listen to over and over, and has assured me that my blues collection is something I need to grow.