Homeschooling for a few dozen more!: June 2009

Saturday 20 June 2009

The Life and Death of Mr Badman-John Bunyan

The Life and Death of Mr Badman, by John Bunyan
Here are some quotes from John Bunyan's The Life and Death of Mr Badman- It is rather horribly prophetical, and I have picked out these gems.
WISE. That may be. But let us proceed. This Mr. Badman added to all his wickedness this, he was a very proud man, a very proud man. He was exceeding proud and haughty in mind; he looked that what he said ought not, must not be contradicted or opposed. He counted himself as wise as the wisest in the country, as good as the best, and as beautiful as he that had most of it. He took great delight in praising of himself, and as much in the praises that others gave him. He could not abide that any should think themselves above him, or that their wit or personage should by others be set before his. He had scarce a fellowly carriage for his equals. But for those that were of an inferior rank, he would look over them in great contempt. And if at any time he had any remote occasion of having to do with them, he would show great height and a very domineering spirit. So that in this it may be said that Solomon gave a characteristical note of him when he said, 'Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath' (Prov 21:24). He never thought his diet well enough dressed, his clothes fine enough made, or his praise enough refined.

Instead of referencing the Word, when he heard it preached, read, or discoursed of, he would sleep, talk of others business, or else object against the authority, harmony, and wisdom of the scriptures; saying, How do you know them to be the Word of God? How do you know that these sayings are true? The scriptures, he would say, were as a nose of wax, and a man may turn them whithersoever he lists. One scripture says one thing, and another says the quite contrary; besides, they make mention of a thousand impossibilities; they are the cause of all dissensions and discords that are in the land. Therefore you may, would he say, still think what you will, but in my mind they are best at ease that have least to do with them.Instead of loving and honouring of them that did bear in their foreheads the name, and in their lives the image of Christ, they should be his song, the matter of his jests, and the objects of his slanders. He would either make a mock at their sober deportment, their gracious language, quiet behavior, or else desperately swear that they did all in deceit and hypocrisy. He would endeavour to render godly men as odious and contemptible as he could; any lies that were made by any, to their disgrace, those he would avouch for truth, and would not endure to be controlled. He was much like those that the prophet speaks of, that would sit and slander his mother's son (Psa 50:19,20). Yea, he would speak reproachfully of his wife, though his conscience told him, and many would testify, that she was a very virtuous woman. He would also raise slanders of his wife's friends himself, affirming that their doctrine tended to lasciviousness, and that in their assemblies they acted and did unbeseeming men and women, that they committed uncleanness, &c. He was much like those that affirmed the apostle should say, 'Let us do evil that good may come' (Rom 3:7,8). Or, like those of whom it is thus written; 'Report, say they, and we will report it' (Jer 20:10). And if he could get any thing by the end that had scandal in it, if it did but touch professors, how falsely soever reported, O! then he would glory, laugh, and be glad, and lay it upon the whole party; saying, Hang them rogues, there is not a barrel better herring of all the holy brotherhood of them. Like to like, quoth the devil to the collier, this is your precise crew. And then he would send all home with a curse.If you want to read the whole thing, then here it is http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/Life.Death.Badman/index.html

Saturday 13 June 2009

The Badman Home Education Review

Another review into home education has been underway in England, and this time the authorities have tried to link it with child abuse. Have they any proof? The answer to that is no, although they have tried to make it look otherwise. Check out this:
His review found that "even acknowledging the variation between authorities, the number of children known to children's social care in some local authorities is disproportionately high relative to the size of the home educating population".
He recommended local authorities have fully trained staff who are "well-versed" in procedures for safeguarding children.
This was quoted on the B.B.C.news website. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8095864.stm
On first glance it appears that they have indeed got proof, but on a closer glance it states that children are 'known'. Known, doesn't mean they are on a protection register, it can mean simply, that they are known because someone has contacted them to make them as known. This happens a lot, as doctors, neighbours and family who are opposed to the idea of homeschooling ring the S.S. I have known of a case where a family had the S.S. call out 3 times, in as many years, all because people rang up.
The new proposals include;
1) Compulsory registration once a year.
2) Compulsory home visits once a year.
3) Questioning of the child alone without anyone else present.
4) If the authority doesn't consider the education satisfactory, or even disagrees with the provision, they can order the child into school.
We home educate for conscience. We are Christians, and it would be against the Bible to send our children into a godless system, where pornography, lies, and all manner of filth and rebellion are taught. It is our responsibility to educate our children, not the state. Increasingly though, under this socialist communist government we are told our children belong to the state. I think they may have well overstepped the mark this time. We will be fighting this, and in the meantime please pray for England!
Here is another link, on how it will affect things.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5506362/Home-education-rules-an-abuse-of-civil-liberties.html