Christians and Public Education: Should they mix?

“Why do Christians send their children to these cesspools we call public schools?” That was a recent question I heard from a well-known Conservative public speaker. I prefer not to name this person because I have so much respect for the message and overall platform that this person holds. However, I disagree with both the question and response that is held by many who agree with the question posed.

I have heard the response from fellow Christians and Conservatives regarding this question. Many are in agreement and many have pulled their children from public schools and have chosen to send their kids to private schools or made the choice to homeschool. As both a teacher and a mother, I believe that having the freedom to choose how we educate our children is the root of our liberty in this country. School choice is one of the most important freedoms we as Conservatives need to fight for because without it our future generations will not understand the core of liberty rooted in our Constitution.

Are public schools becoming cesspools? There is no denying that our public education system is broken and in fact many of our schools are morally corrupt. With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in 45 states, I believe education in America is stripping Constitutional rights away from teachers, parents and students. The word cesspool accurately describes the recent law passed by California in allowing school bathrooms to be gender neutral. Violence is also destroying our public schools and many of our children go to school in fear and security within the walls of our educational institutions has become the highest priority.

In the 1960’s, state sponsored school prayer and reciting the Bible in school was struck down by the Supreme Court. Later in 1980, the Ten Commandments were removed from public schools. Today there are increasingly more stories where students are being asked to remove cross necklaces or even writing about God is deemed offensive. The public educational system has made it known that the Christian belief is not welcome within the walls of their schools. So why would Christians of all people want to subject their children to public education?

Here’s the answer to that question in the simplest form. Why not? As Christians we believe in fighting battles worthy of the cause. We stand for the life of the unborn because abortion is murder and we understand that all life is created by God. We fight for the sanctity of marriage because our Christian principles are founded on the biblical definition that marriage is a God ordained institution between a man and a woman. We defend our religious liberties because we understand that if our First Amendment is threatened our own freedoms will diminish and be controlled by an over-reaching government. As Christians we fight against the ever-increasing government control in our lives so why should this fight exclude public education?

I can’t answer for everyone why Christians send their kids to public schools. In many cases, it is most likely because private schools are expensive or homeschooling is not an option with a single parent or two full-time working parents. All I know is there are countless stories out there of Christians and Conservatives who work or volunteer, tirelessly, in the public schools. They are fighting to bring back quality education that gives both parents and teachers a voice in what education should be for our children. Whether we like it or not, public education is the main form of schooling in this country. It is not for everyone and as a parent if you are able to make a choice that better serves the needs of your children then that is what the conservative ideal is in freedom of education. However, do not overlook the fact that many families (even Christians) do not have a choice in what type of schools their children can attend.

Many are called to the fight for quality public education just like the many other battles we fight as both Christians and Conservatives in this country.  The objective is the same; to fight for Constitutional rights, religious freedom and stand up against government control. Public education may have rejected God but that does not mean we as Christians should altogether reject what God can do through Christians in the public schools. Questioning why Christians send their children to public schools only makes the battle that much more difficult. Let’s stand united in this fight no matter where you choose to educate your children.

If you or someone you know such as an administrator, teacher, parent or student is fighting against the over-reaching government control over our students and in our public schools, please share your stories in the comments section. The battle is worth fighting for when we can support each other and know we are not alone in the cause.