Thank you for covering the VF conference. I almost considered going but didn't think I could stomach that much propaganda. You haven't heard any radical ideas yet, everything you've written is very mainstream.This is why we need to scrutinize and challenge Christian fundamentalism. Fundamentalist subcultures do a grave disservice to young people, especially girls, and we need to call them out on it.
In reference to raising children in a closed information system, yes, it's done. I was one. We grow and sometimes escape (I did) but it's incredibly difficult to function as an adult in a society from which one has been isolated from, misinformed about, and totally unprepared for.
Personally, it has been extremely difficult to leave the patriarchy as a woman because not only are the escapees cut off from family and familiar social supports, there is culture shock and a STEEP learning curve to learn how to manage life. Being raised to be a baby maker/man servant/ daddy's puppet is terrible preparation for self-sufficient adulthood, and financial freedom is difficult to achieve. Additionally, it takes great effort to fight years of brainwashing that was literally beaten into you. Homeschoolers Anonymous is quickly filling with escapee stories.
So thank you for exposing the real and dangerous things said behind closed doors.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
A Powerful E-mail from One of My Readers
I've received several e-mails from readers about my series-in-progress on Vision Forum's History of America Mega-Conference. One reader, speaking from personal experience, reminded me how difficult it can be to escape from a fundamentalist subculture. I was so struck by her e-mail that I asked for permission to share it, which she granted.
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Thanks for this. I followed the link to the Homeschoolers anonymous site. What refreshing thing to find. I am very much against homeschooling because I abhor this sort of indoctrination which in my mind is akin to child abuse. I'll probably write on this tomorrow since I know people who actually do this for precisely the reason to teach their grandkids "real biblical truth".
ReplyDeleteSherry -- As I learn more about fundamentalist homeschooling from events like this and other bloggers, my blood runs cold. The indoctrination (which can veer into educational neglect), the isolation from the larger culture, the poor preparation for adult life, the misogyny ... scary!
DeleteI'm eager to read your post on homeschooling. Definitely do it!
Sherry,
DeleteNot all homeschoolers are like this, so please don't tar us all with the same brush. My family are secular homeschoolers, and I can assure you we don't care for the isolationist homeschool families any more than you do. As one of my favorite homeschool writers says, "People drink Sterno, but you can't condemn a whole catering practice based on a small minority."
Speaking as a former Christian fundamentalist (I was raised within it), it is very hard to get someone who is "dyed in the wool" to think for themselves and, in effect, challenge "thus saith the Lord." And it is indeed difficult to feel your way into a new outlook. It's worth it, though; just very difficult.
ReplyDeleteDoug -- But when you do think and feel for yourself, it's exhilarating. A whole new world opens up with more richness and possibility than the fundamentalist cage.
DeleteIt's so thrilling to see all the attention being paid to this issue. Eight years ago, I was (though a male) equally "lost" in the world. I had to learn to be myself after 12 years of homeschooling and 6 of ATI. I ended up receiving an MA in history just to sort out all the cognitive dissonance.
ReplyDeleteNick -- I applaud you for freeing yourself from that line of thought and studying history yourself. Take delight in being yourself.
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