Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon pre-cept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
I have often heard people say things like “that group or institution indoctrinates people.” Some say things like “the public schools are indoctrinating our children.” My answer to them is, “That’s true, but every organization indoctrinates their people on some level. The Military, sports teams, corporations, and even the fast food industry does. Christian schools and public schools always attempt to indoctrinate students.”
To indoctrinate means “ to teach or instruct in fundamentals or rudiments, to imbue with a usually partisan sectarian opinion, point of view or principle.” (Oxford & Webster) As you can see indoctrination occurs everywhere. Our concern in this article is education. We are especially in awe at the direction of public education from high school down to the lower pre-school. This, however, is not new of our public education. In 1642 our Puritan founders concerned about illiteracy and the inability to read the Bible passed the Old Deluder Satan Act in Massachusetts. This laid the basis for public education directed by a state. The first school, however, was started on April 23, 1635 in Boston, MA. It was a boy’s-only secondary Latin school.
For the next two hundred, twenty years local communities would start their own schools, often began in churches, where the Bible was at the core of all curriculum. Bible lessons were taught and texts like Spelling, Composition, History, Science, etc. were infused with Christian doctrine. This became the foundation and glue of society of which most leaders and people were of Judeo-Christian world view.
This world view was the culture. This prevailing view lasted until the 1950’s although a steady erosion began about the 1920’s. Fast forward to today; The prevailing world view of many in America is not Christian. At best, in Christian circles, it is mixed. Too many Christians are like Israel before captivity. They identified with Jehovah but practiced cultural paganism. Society is, today, secular at best and anti-Christian in practice. That, dear parent and Christian, is the dominant world view controlling and indoctrinating influence in our public schools today, period. Though I’m very sympathetic towards most teachers.
In summary, I ask this serious question: Why would any dedicated (or not) Christian parent today not be homeschooling or putting their children in a good Christian school? A school modeled after the vision of the godly founders of our nation. Just look at the statistical facts of our children. Of course reasons range from money, quality (normally false), Time, sports, etc. So I ask this, what is the value of your child’s soul and future usefulness for Christ? Choose your indoctrination well!