TheApple

Greetings,

Last spring I retired after teaching high school mathematics for thirty years in Ohio.

I am now a published author!  I feel this may be my new calling, to shift into a different kind of teaching mode.

I would invite you to view my book synopsis:

THE STAKES ARE HIGH: GOD'S WISDOM FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 Dennis R. Ray, M.Ed., author

  BOOK: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60604-233-5

  AUDIO BOOK: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60696-079-0 

"Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."   ROMANS 12:9-13

Dear johnslat,

One of the discussions in my book is on what the late Chief Justice William Rhenquist called "the misleading metaphor"  namely,  the separation of church and state.

William Wilberforce wrote (about 18th century France, but it is eerily applicable to Amercia today): "Christianity has been attacked and marginalized by groups because those who profess belief have been unable to defend the faith from attacks, even though the attackers' arguments are deeply flawed."  American Christians are letting the ACLU and other groups restrict and eliminate faith from areas of our lives they have no business meddling in.  We Christians need to be better informed and armed to counter their arguments (deeply flawed as many of them are)!

There are actually classes in Biblical art and literature and history in many schools across this country and to me that is a starting point.  Getting the Word into the lives of our young people is a key.  In addition we need to arm our Christian children so that they are confident in sharing their testimony with peers.  While I think we all need to be more aware of the beliefs of others, done correctly it will arm us to invalidate many of their arguments against Christianity.  We do not have to sponsor specific religious beliefs to get God's wisdom into the lives of young people.

One concern I address is the way many Christians are withdrawing and retreating to private schools or homeschooling.  We have to be the ones to come together as one to influence the lives of our youth.  Franklin Graham said it this way:

"For the sake of our commission to go and make disciples, I hope that Christians will not surrender the public schools.  Instead let us take them back.  Let's consider them a mission field."

Our youth are desperate for ways to build character, establish direction for their lives and the discipline to stay on course.  They also need ways to deal with respect and responsibility issues.  I address all these items and more in the book.  I also provide some examples of ways we adults can make an impact (without violating anyone's constitutional rights).

Thanks for the reply! 

Unfortunately joel, many use religion in just that way.

We certainly do not have to talk in terms of religious reasons, but when you look at all the vain attempts of the educational community to come up with ways to improve the preparation and the performance of our youth it should be evident that our 'worldly wisdom' is not very successful.  I have seen so many 'educational trends' come and go over my 30-yr career, it certainly seems obvious to me that we need help.  Standardized testing has largely been a disaster.  Forcing children into these 'cookie cutter molds' is not the answer.

Sorry, but to quote a Psalm, "Unless the Lord builds a house, they labor in vain who build it,"  seems applicable here. (That's Psalm 127:1)

Also, "The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." (1 Corinthians 3:19)

After a study of God's wisdom to begin my book I am convinced that we can only benefit from applying the wisdom of God as evident in the Word to every area of our lives.

I understand my task to convince others is a huge one.  I do not expect everyone who reads my book to agree, but I am attempting to emulate William Wilberforce who said:

"Some will undoubtedly make the objection that since I am not a theologian, I am not really qualified to address this subject.  If I need to defend myself against such objection, I think it should be good enough to point out that we all have an obligation to do whatever we can to promote the welfare of our fellow man."

This is my way to try to promote the welfare of the youth in our public schools.  You'll find that many of my thoughts are not exclusive to Christian belief.  Every parent wants their children to succeed.  I just feel Christian parents can accomplish this without retreating to private or home schooling.

I appreciate your reply joel!

Dear johnslat,

I may not have given the correct impression here.  Let's see if I can do better.

I believe that the majority of Americans would agree that our children need to develop good character, have respect for themselves and others, and develop responsibility for their words and actions.  I think they want their children to leave the public schools with a direction for their lives and the discipline to see their way beyond the distractions of this world to their goal.

These concepts to me go beyond religious boundaries.

What I am proposing is that these are all biblical values and we Christians can go a long way toward developing educational strategies to accomplish them.  This does not mean that all students must believe the Bible to profit from these concepts.  It also is not to imply that we should be preaching Christianity to all students in public schools.  I do feel that if the Bible is introduced in art, literature and history classes, that exposure may reap benefits in other areas simply because I believe in the power of the Word to change lives.  That would by no means be the teacher's goal, but would possibly be a side benefit.

This may not completely address your questions but I am short on time for now.  I hope we can continue!

john,

when faced with a simular problem of a student of 7th day advent. we asked the mother what she would

like us todo with a birthday party a mother was throwing for her son the last 20 minutes of the day (this

was a 2nd grade classroom). we gave her options of a her daughter going to the library and reading for

AR points or we going to the caff. the mother chose for her daughter to go to the lib. and the party went

on.  the point is for years religion has been pushed around in the legal system (sense 65) and sense

if you look america we have been braking down morally, would you not agree to some extent.  i know

our ethical code is always been flawed throughout history, but it has went down sense 1965.

Hi all,

I'm not sure what more I can add to my last post except to clarify more.

I have stated what I feel are the main values I feel a lot of our youth need to learn:  respect, responsibility, character, direction, discipline, etc.   Every one of these issues is dealt with in God's Word.  For instance, character is doing what is right, because it is right, and doing it right.  As an example, you can read accounts of the Israelites in the wilderness, their sacrificial rules etc and see that when they did the right things in the right way they enjoyed success.  When they didn't, there were consequences. That's what so many of our youth need to learn. 

As to how do we teach this.... I certainly do not think we need to create classes in character building or biblical values or whatever.  We teach these things by our expectations and by our examples.  If we are united in demanding respect for ourselves and others, for taking responsibility for words and actions, and so forth, we can influence these young people in a positive way.  It has to be an atmospheric change in many schools.  School cannot be an extension of the street where teens speak in disrespectful and often vulgar terms.  That cannot be tolerated.  We all know that proper discipline is consistent and immediate.  Too often teachers who have already been given the expectation to do more than simply teach their curriculum "choose their battles".  It is easier to ignore an infraction and shut your door to teach than to do the right thing and correct a child, risking defiance and all of the disciplinary headaches that comes as a result of a confrontation.  When that happens we all lose.  We are far too inconsistent in our message to these youth.

I am afraid I am rambling a bit here.  Let me stop for now with this comment.  The problems are very complex.  As you note in many comments, the resistance is strong.  Many want to complain about public education but they will do nothing to affect change.  My main point is that the current system does not achieve the best for every young person in our public schools.  While "No Child Left Behind" no doubt had good intentions, there are many huge flaws in it's structure and content and it is not the answer. The answer is to make education more of a priority for everyone and to get everyone involved....especially those with strong Christian values who will put God's Wisdom above the worldly wisdom of "political correctness." 

John,

What do you do when nothing works,  and the kid is dangerous to be around,  the

answer is not to send them off.  Getting child involved in something, even if it is a

church group if contructive and works why not do it?  If i have seen drug aducts and

drinks change their life based on christianity then that is good, or if they change because of

islam that is good. At least they are then possitive products in todays world, woundn't you agree?

 So the answer is

NCLWC?

or

NCLWR?

No Child Left Without Christ 

or

No Child Left Without Religion?

 Dear mrcrisp,

As long as religion - ANY religion - is not sponsored/'encouraged by teachers in public schools, I have no problem. But I agree with the sentiments expressed below. It's not taking religion out of school that is to blame for society's woes:

"I want to comment on the statement that religion should be taught in our schools. I believe that people who blame lack of religion in schools for America's problems are pointing fingers and hiding from the truth that children are the products of their home environments. 



The fundamental American right of religious freedom must not be very significant to those who feel biblical teachings should be the basis for public education. There is no amendment in the Constitution that reads religious freedom only applies to those who are of the Christian faith. It provides for all Americans to worship as they please. As a nation that touts its "melting pot" heritage, it would be strongly against the American spirit as well as the Constitution to tailor lesson plans to fit one religion in institutions filled with children of diverse backgrounds. It is not the job of America's teachers to guide students in a certain religious direction. That's something that should be accomplished at home. Perhaps what needs to be reformed in America is not education but parenting. The fact remains that teachers can make their students feel special and loved without having to use religion." 

http://melrosemirror.media.mit.edu/servlet/pluto?state=303034706167...

I am in such good company with johnslat and aprilmorrison on this one.

mrcrisp says ...

No Don,

What I am saying is for most regular education works, but for some it my take religion to get them on the track that we all know they sould be on.  If a bully or druggy gets some form of religion and turns out to be a fine member of society would you not be happy that instead of paying their bill for prision some day they paid taxes.  however, let me say does this need to be sponsored by school and the gov't the answer is no, we have a seporation of church and state for a reason,  but stats do show sense 1965 and god being taken out of school crime has risen, respect for authority has fallen. Can that be argued no the numbers are there and can not be disproven.  An alternitive is that there are more children in schools now that that would show a greater chance at disruptions and a lack of respect, but the numbers go up from 1965. 

 

I think I agree with you in general. I see a lot of nice, well adjusted, happy people that "have religion" in areas where there are a bunch of druggees or gangsters, etc... I also see inmates turning thier life around as a result of it. 

My main poit is, it needs to come from home and the school cannot take it's place unless the parents enroll in a private school.

den1955 says ...

Parenting has deteriorated as the family unit has become more nonexistent.

I think the family unit is stressed by financial stress and constraints. I also think parents are tired (and weak) and they use gaming and media to babysit their children so they grow up obsessed with Spiderman instead of healthy things. It exists, but it is morally weak.

I do think that parents AND teachers need to shoulder blame.  

Really? I will never stop trying, but I will NEVER take the blame. That's ridiculous and spreading that nonsense must be stopped! Don't let a few bad apples allow parents and politicians to arm themselves with such lies.

johnslat says ... from Voltaire:

"Tend your own garden." That's really the best we can do, I'd say.

Amen. In theory.

 

However, we are in the position of helping to cultivate other peoples' gardens. 

 

Now what?

 I love the idea of caring as a role for teachers. 

I also love the idea of defining caring as assuming a student can and will.