Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic
Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 08:08:18 MST
From:         Brent Winiger <ABDWINIG@IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU>
Subject:      RE: Separating our kids from public schools
              18 Nov 1992 16:55:39 EST from <tillman@SWDEV.SI.COM>

On Wed, 18 Nov 1992 16:55:39 EST Brian Tillman, Smiths Industries, VAX Support,
>Andrew Werling makes the point:
>

>Well, Brent, I've chewed on your question for a while, as I said I would.  I
>tend to agree with Andrew's point of view, but I don't single out the issue of
>gaity (new phrase! ;-) ).
>
>I don't think any group of two or more people can every agree on the concept of
>"basic values."  Your "basic" values will *never, ever* coincide with mine
>(although some may).  My point is, what you might consider "basic" and what I
>consider "basic" may overlap to some degree, we'll never whittle the
>non-overlapping areas enough to satify us both.  One of us would probably have
>to abandon some value we feel essential.  The problem has no solution.
>Therefore, I'll have to conclude that no, we don't have a duty to teach other
>people's children "basic values" because we cannot even define them.  Oh, sure,
>you can define them for you, and I for me, but yours and mine won't match in
>all

    Actually I think we'd find many areas of values agreement Brian.  You know
I'm more toward the conservative end of the spectrum, I know you're more
toward the liveral end.  Nevertheless, I think we'd have more agreements than
disagreements.  Let me give you a few examples:
       Honesty. Why not use role models like Abraham Lincoln?   He walked
several miles to return six cents, etc.  Thats far better than what they are
teaching now.  A few years ago, a student found a thousand dollars and
returned it to the owner.  The press made a big deal about other students
calling her stupid.  A major school administrator said he couldn't comment on
it too much, because he had no business passing value judgements on whether
she should have kept the money or not.
       Courage. No shortage of examples here.  Check out your local police
department or fire station.
       Compassion.  Would it violate Church and State separation to use
Mother Theresa as an example?
       Respect for other people, even if you don't agree with them.  (Yes that
includes Gays Andrew) - It doesn't, however, mean endorsing their actions.
       I even think most people would agree that a life of productive work and
community involvement is of more value than a life of slothful contempt.
       Loyalty, Patriotism, etc. should also be considered.  - All these values
 build character in kids.  The relativism that is being taught is morally
bankrupting our country.  How do kids learn character and to be useful
citizens when they are being taught that there is no right or wrong?  That
nothing is worth defending, and moral principles are irrelevant?   What kind
of society will we be living in twenty years from now with a valueless or
value-neutral education system showing the kids the way?
        All the character traits I've just outlined could most effectively be
taught from the Bible.  That will never happen in public schools, but there
are hundred of excellent alternative sources that could convey these values
that 98% of Americans agree with.
       Schools today are far too concerned with changing society and preparing
kids for a changing society.  What most parents want, is for their kids to be
academically prepared, and to be taught character-building traits that include
the difference between basic rights and wrongs.  I can thoroughly document
this fact if anyone is interested.
       So what do you think Brian? Are our basic values in agreement?

    Man, its too early for this.  I'd better get some coffee & see if what I
wrote made any sense.


> Brian Tillman               | Internet: tillman@swdev.si.com


Brent
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