Government Schools, Modernity, & Beauty

[DonaldH675@aol.com]

I think we've arrived at the fundamental point of disagreement here, and it
is an obdurate one.  The Dougs, if I may so denominate them, argue from the
position that every system or institution manifests a theology, whether it
acknowledges it or not.  Consequently, "modernity" or "Post-Enlightenment
thought"  becomes a de facto theological system indictable for hypocrisy (it
just won't admit that it's oatmeal), voting itself state money to run
religious schools, and inspiring ugly art, among other things.

Others of us, a widely diverging crew, don't accept that initial premise,
(although not necessarily sharing any initial premise among ourselves,
either).  Any further discussion seems unlikely to get beyond the hectoring
stage--"Just admit that you've got an ugly stealth theology," "No, *you*
just admit that non-theological systems are possible."

To glance at the beginning of this conversation, can we state with certainty
that declining enrollments in the district are a consequence of
Christianity?  Doug W. writes:

"But the context of our debate is the fact the ultimate nature of
these world view commitments became obvious to many Christians about
twenty years ago. The ramifications of the decisions they made then are
just now becoming obvious in a practical and budgetary way in the
Moscow School Destruct [sic]."

There are many motivations for homeschooling, and those students who have
moved from our traditional schools to public charter schools (approximately
200) are still within the penumbra of the public school system.  St. Mary's
School's population includes non-Catholics who have other reasons for
attending, and I knew of at least one non-Christian child attending Montrose
Academy.  There may be non-Christian students at Logos and at Palouse
Adventist School--I don't know.

We chose a charter school for our daughter because we wanted small classes,
frequent and regular music, art, and second-language instruction,
racial/ethnic/religious diversity, and an ethos of respect, trust, and
inquiry.  Renaissance Public Charter School met those needs in a way that
none of the other elementary schools in Moscow could.  Other parents are
surely choosing educational options for similarly idiosyncratic reasons not
directly attributable to religious affiliation?

Melynda Huskey