I really, really sympathize with your viewpoint. These things can be very frustrating. I just think not everyone realizes that we don't belong to the Church in order to always receive what we want, and we are just as responsible to give, especially in situations where Truth might be otherwise neglected. In other words, it may be that oth…
I really, really sympathize with your viewpoint. These things can be very frustrating. I just think not everyone realizes that we don't belong to the Church in order to always receive what we want, and we are just as responsible to give, especially in situations where Truth might be otherwise neglected. In other words, it may be that other kids might need your child's knowledge and examples because they aren't receiving it elsewhere. Just something to think about.
I think that approach lacks an understanding of how children operate. For an adult, I think that your statement may hold. But the children are not formed yet, and the medium of catechesis is the message. Foregoing authentic religious ed at home or elsewhere and instead sending my kids to a program I view as harmful (or a program which is neutral but which disrupts family life somehow)? Sorry- that is to the detriment of the child! (Of course this is all assuming that the program at the parish is average or below average. If it is good and worthwhile, then of course it could be a fine option!) I agree that integration into the parish is for the best for all families, homeschool and otherwise! I would and do prefer to do that in about a hundred ways before I would get to attending classroom RE.
In an ideal world, I think you are right. However, 1) sometimes, a dumb or bad faith formation class or situation can actually be a detriment. Examples I have experienced: the material is presented in a childish way, transmitting the message that “church and faith things are for kids only.”; peer pressure from classmates who mostly don’t care and think this is lame, and the few children who are excited about learning are made fun of or meet the energy of the classmates by also not caring. Why send my kids out for something that may actually neutralize what we are trying to do? (and note that my kids are very young- I was totally the enthused kid in high school youth group/RE among many others who did not care, and by that point it was fine.)
2) time is a limited resource. Allotting time for something that is just nice in principle is not always the best choice!
Anyway, I do think that the comments or at least my participation therein have strayed a bit from the main takeaway of this action by the diocese, which is- why target homeschool groups with a blanket ban? Even if everyone needed to participate in religious ed, which I am obviously not a fan of, why should that preclude homeschool moms from also having a meeting on parish grounds? Anyway. It just stinks of cutting off the faithful at the knees out of vindictiveness.
BTW, in case it isn't obvious, I really love that we can talk about things like this, and learn from new viewpoints. Thanks for taking so much time with me, it is much appreciated.
I really, really sympathize with your viewpoint. These things can be very frustrating. I just think not everyone realizes that we don't belong to the Church in order to always receive what we want, and we are just as responsible to give, especially in situations where Truth might be otherwise neglected. In other words, it may be that other kids might need your child's knowledge and examples because they aren't receiving it elsewhere. Just something to think about.
Of course. Everyone is called to give in different ways. Does that always mean “teaching CCD”? Probably not. But for many, probably so!
No, but it may mean attending instead of homeschooling the classes.
I think that approach lacks an understanding of how children operate. For an adult, I think that your statement may hold. But the children are not formed yet, and the medium of catechesis is the message. Foregoing authentic religious ed at home or elsewhere and instead sending my kids to a program I view as harmful (or a program which is neutral but which disrupts family life somehow)? Sorry- that is to the detriment of the child! (Of course this is all assuming that the program at the parish is average or below average. If it is good and worthwhile, then of course it could be a fine option!) I agree that integration into the parish is for the best for all families, homeschool and otherwise! I would and do prefer to do that in about a hundred ways before I would get to attending classroom RE.
But why would you think we see it as either/or? Both are meant to supplement each other.
In an ideal world, I think you are right. However, 1) sometimes, a dumb or bad faith formation class or situation can actually be a detriment. Examples I have experienced: the material is presented in a childish way, transmitting the message that “church and faith things are for kids only.”; peer pressure from classmates who mostly don’t care and think this is lame, and the few children who are excited about learning are made fun of or meet the energy of the classmates by also not caring. Why send my kids out for something that may actually neutralize what we are trying to do? (and note that my kids are very young- I was totally the enthused kid in high school youth group/RE among many others who did not care, and by that point it was fine.)
2) time is a limited resource. Allotting time for something that is just nice in principle is not always the best choice!
Anyway, I do think that the comments or at least my participation therein have strayed a bit from the main takeaway of this action by the diocese, which is- why target homeschool groups with a blanket ban? Even if everyone needed to participate in religious ed, which I am obviously not a fan of, why should that preclude homeschool moms from also having a meeting on parish grounds? Anyway. It just stinks of cutting off the faithful at the knees out of vindictiveness.
BTW, in case it isn't obvious, I really love that we can talk about things like this, and learn from new viewpoints. Thanks for taking so much time with me, it is much appreciated.
I am jumping in the comment thread a bit here, but this kind of exchange is one of the reasons that I love The Pillar.