Reason Gajilliontyeightsix To Thank God For Being a Citizen of America
The neighbors don't want to see these families move. The overbearing Education Department in Quebec has come down on this Mennonite community, forcing them to use the state sanctioned curriculum in their community school. If the Mennonites do not comply, the state has threatened
to remove the children from the homes and place them in foster homes. The Mennonites do not subscribe to the Theory of Evolution. The Mennonites are moving out of the community and the community is appealing to the Education Department to stop threatening this group.
Townsfolk Sad to See Mennonites Move Away.
From the article:
"They're good neighbours. They integrated into the community, they work hard, they have farms, they work in businesses in the region. They're everywhere - it's not a sect that closes itself off from others." "These schools are okay in other provinces; they should be allowed here, too," said Claude Dutilly, taking a break from mowing his lawn next to the Mennonite church and school." "We should be open-minded. These are good people, part of the community. The children are respectful, well-behaved."
The Almighty State of Quebec says:
"The community could home-school their children but would have to follow the official curriculum and make arrangements with the local school board, Lefebvre added. "Kids who are home-schooled have to use the same materials as those in public schools and be evaluated as well," he said."
WorldNetDaily also has the article.
From the WND article:
"Children are taught reading, writing, math, science, geography, social sciences and music, as well as English and French. But they didn't use the government-mandated curriculum that includes the teachings of evolution, and other subjects to which parents objected."
Ronald Goossen, one of the first Mennonites to move to this area in the 1990s, says, "We don't agree with the emphasis on evolution, which we consider false; we don't like the morality standards; and we don't like the acceptance of alternative lifestyles," he said.
Fair enough. We could debate Evolution until the cows come home. The fact is that the theory has many weaknesses. It's a fascinating theory but another fact is that these weaknesses are not discussed with the kids in school when Evolution is taught. Kids aren't stupid. They are able to take it all in - strengths and weaknesses. I'm all for looking at it with a critical eye, but you have to admit that there are some real whacks on both sides of it.
This particular Mennonite community is moving and I don't blame them. It's a shame because it is their home - and not only that but the rest of their community does not want to see them go. The law is, apparently, the law.
I wish them well and I thank God every day that I live in the United States of America.
to remove the children from the homes and place them in foster homes. The Mennonites do not subscribe to the Theory of Evolution. The Mennonites are moving out of the community and the community is appealing to the Education Department to stop threatening this group.Children at an Amish school.
Townsfolk Sad to See Mennonites Move Away.
From the article:
"They're good neighbours. They integrated into the community, they work hard, they have farms, they work in businesses in the region. They're everywhere - it's not a sect that closes itself off from others." "These schools are okay in other provinces; they should be allowed here, too," said Claude Dutilly, taking a break from mowing his lawn next to the Mennonite church and school." "We should be open-minded. These are good people, part of the community. The children are respectful, well-behaved."
The Almighty State of Quebec says:
"The community could home-school their children but would have to follow the official curriculum and make arrangements with the local school board, Lefebvre added. "Kids who are home-schooled have to use the same materials as those in public schools and be evaluated as well," he said."
WorldNetDaily also has the article.
From the WND article:
"Children are taught reading, writing, math, science, geography, social sciences and music, as well as English and French. But they didn't use the government-mandated curriculum that includes the teachings of evolution, and other subjects to which parents objected."
Ronald Goossen, one of the first Mennonites to move to this area in the 1990s, says, "We don't agree with the emphasis on evolution, which we consider false; we don't like the morality standards; and we don't like the acceptance of alternative lifestyles," he said.
Fair enough. We could debate Evolution until the cows come home. The fact is that the theory has many weaknesses. It's a fascinating theory but another fact is that these weaknesses are not discussed with the kids in school when Evolution is taught. Kids aren't stupid. They are able to take it all in - strengths and weaknesses. I'm all for looking at it with a critical eye, but you have to admit that there are some real whacks on both sides of it.
This particular Mennonite community is moving and I don't blame them. It's a shame because it is their home - and not only that but the rest of their community does not want to see them go. The law is, apparently, the law.
I wish them well and I thank God every day that I live in the United States of America.
posted by Grizzly Mama | 00:29
13 Comments:
forcing them to use the state sanctioned curriculum in their community school
For how long have Mennonites had the right to their own curriculum? No harm is being done to the commumity by their having their own curriculum!
When the Mennonites have moved away, the community will have lost fine citizens.
Why can't the Mennonites consider their school as a religious institution. Then perhaps they would have the choice in what is best for their children.
The Canadians have to make sure that every child is raised to be a good socialist.
But can't they leave the Mennonites alone? They don't bother anyone.
I agree, AOW and apparently other Canadian Provinces don't have this same crazy requirement as Quebec has. It's the same in the US, I guess although not to this extent but the same in that every state has a different law for homeschooling, some of them very laissez-faire, others extremely controlling as in the state of PA.
Laura - so good to see you back out and about!! In reading the article, I understand that the province of Quebec would make that option very difficult. With other provinces it seems to be 'no problemo.' (a little mex lingo - as CA likes to say.;-))
I agree Mike. However, anything deviating from the socialist 'norm' is not a good thing, ever. I think that they will find a home where the law supports their choice. What the socialists don't seem to understand about most red-blooded Americans is that we value individualism. Shame that they have to leave, but you know, it is always an option. We have considered moving to a nearby state recently (as you have read...) and we have looked at many different aspects of state law to decide that PA - with all its warts - is still where we'd rather be.
Once again a prime example of a government thinking it is god.
If the government insists, then I say:
"Run Mennonites, Run" Don't let the government (any government) bully you.
I totally agree with you Father Abouna.
Forcing them out? Yikes. This is disturbing really. I mean if they arent harming anyone come on people but lets let dogs lie right and not start waves with this. But sometimes its worth fighting for what you believe in. I have met some mighty fine Mennoites back home. They believe in big families but so what. Are they harming you by that? Not that I can see.
"Kids who are home-schooled have to use the same materials as those in public schools and be evaluated as well," he said." What's the point of homeschooling your kids if you are forced to lower your standards to the crappy, Socialist Gub'ment lowest-minimum? What (some) people don't realize about socialism it that its processes and products are of grinding-down to level, not building or lifting-up.
I'd recommend they move here to the USA.
Tweetey - I come from a large family myself - I'm 7th out of 8 kids. They are doing no harm by educating their children. Heck - atleast they can read and write, unlike many public school graduates I know.
Dirtcrashr - I would welcome this group of Mennonites in my community. Unfortunately I think that they would have a hard time getting in the US - unlike our illegal Mexicans who are practically given an engraved invitation to enter. Fortunately for them, there are other Canadian provinces with less intrusive regulations in regard to homeschooling.
Those families would feel right at home around here Monica. There are bothe Amish and Mennonite schools around here. Unfortunately one of them made the news last year when a mad man went berserk. The Sate only requires standards for the basics like math, ENGLISH, Reading skills. Science is pretty much left up to them when it comes to the THEORY of evolution.
Yes they would be at home here, JG. I feel confident that they will find a place where the law doesn't infringe on their parental and religious rights. I feel bad that they have to move, because it is SUCH a p.i.t.a. to move.
I know a Mennonite family that runs a school in Red Lake, Ontario. They don't have any problems like that.
I do agree with you about learning about all sides of an issue. You don't have to believe what you learn. But it's important to be informed about how others believe.
You and I don't have to believe the tenets of Islam, even though we study them to stay informed. ;)
I'm glad to hear that, tshsmom. So these Mennonites do have a place to go. It's a shame that they have to move though.
It seems to me that the whacks on the one side of the Evolution debate are ferocious in their refusal to even hear one peep on the weaknesses of the theory. They're nuts! Quite like the moslems who are incapable of looking at the weaknesses in islam.
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