Comments on: Steve Mcfarland: The Internet Monk Interview

By: Prester Scott

Prester Scott — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

In #10, was he answering the same question you were asking? It doesn’t look like it.

By: imonk

imonk — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve sent that one back to him. Thanks

By: Devin Smith

Devin Smith — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I sympathize with his heart for his neighbors, but I am not at all compelled by his vision for education. He says that public schools shouldn’t teach “blatant” bible values. I agree with him. That’s why they’re failing.
He seems more optimistic about what’s happening in public schools these days–only a few people coming out of the closet. The problem is that the situation can only get worse, not better. It simply does not have the tools (“blatant” bible values) to reform. And, I think Mr. McFarland would at least agree that the vast majority of those influencing public education are providing very insidious secular tools (evolution, values clarification, self-esteem talk, meds, etc).
The fact that our society cannot even fathom what it would mean to not have public schools–60% of all kids just not going to school!–is a good reason to get rid of them. It’s like any addiction–there are tremendous withdrawl pains.
Finally, we ought to remember that there is a major difference between caring for the poor–as in meeting needs–and caring for the poor–as in taking up their responsibilities.

By: imonk

imonk — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Devon,

Do non-Christians deserve an education in America?

I am unclear. Are you saying there should be no schools except private Christian schools?

By: Devin Smith

Devin Smith — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

“Do non-Christians deserve an education in America?”

Yes and no.

Yes, humans made in the image of God should be educated.
No, I’ve never seen a convincing argument that it’s the obligation of one citizen (or group) to provide and madate the education of others. Parents are the responsible party.

I wish there were only Christian schools, but wanting the public system abolished is not the same thing. Many other kinds of private schools and homeschools would emerge–as they do now.

By: imonk

imonk — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

So if the citizens of Mayberry decide they want to fund a community school where the Jewish kid and the Muslim kid can go, the Christian family must not support it….right?

By: David McKay

David McKay — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you for this interesting question and answer session. I’ve seen both sides, having taught classroom music for 18 years in state schools and private piano for 5 years in private schools.

I’ve seen both public and private schools where the gospel is effectively promoted, and also both public and private schools which do not have a positive evangelistic influence.

Teaching in a state school is certainly a challenging calling, but it is also very hard living as a Christian in a school where it is not the gospel, but respectability that is being taught.