Recently I have become keenly aware of a growing trend in self-empowerment, inner magic, wizardry, fairies, "tapping into the power of the universe," and the like. The topic of Waldorf Homeschooling came up this morning on a message board I frequent, and I decided to do a little research. I found this this new-to-me curriculum strikingly similar to the K-12 program (William Bennett's project) we *tried* back around 2001. (It didn't work out for us).Overall I am not so much in disagreement with the philosophy of childhood learning processes as I am acutely aware of the focus on fantasy, fairytales and myths.The site actually states that "if a child is not supplied with images of fairy tales, the contents of his soul will be supplied with idle talk...resulting in a field filled with weeds." I beg to differ. Life lessons can be learned from fairy tales, but what about true worthwhile stories and experiences, and the Bible itself? I am not personally opposed to a good fairy tale once in a while, but in general regard them as a waste of time. My extended family read my sister and I fairy tales, and we had our favorites, but I don't honestly believe they did us any earthly good. I would be more inclined to class them with imaginative entertainment category than with essential life lessons. My children also enjoyed "Hansel and Gretel" but I don't regard them as valuable educational material. Therefore studying fantasy and fairy tales have little place in our home. Too many other things are so much more important. Bible stories and wholesome children's stories have much better standing in the development of moral values and standards for living.
But more disturbing than the fairy tales are the occult teachings promoted on the homeschooling website.
Perhaps not all Waldorf type programs lean so heavily on the subjects mentioned at the beginning of my post, but the Waldorf Homeschooling website has some very unsettling beliefs in fantasy (which is promoted as being truth and enlightenment.) I honestly believe all this fairy, gnome, wizard, Harry Potter stuff is more than just bordering on the occult. This is serious, and it is dangerous. It deceptively appears to many to be lovely and wonderful for the children, but if that segment is a part of all Waldorf programs, we should stay away from it. I see our nation being misled by this lie called "spiritual enlightment" being disguised as education. We must be vigilant against such things. Personally I find it very disturbing that this form of education could be regarded as progressive.
I recently posted on my blog the reasons why we homeschool. When it comes down to it, educating our own children is our God-given responsibility (not the government's), and our ultimate priority is 1)teaching them to know God, 2)training them to be effective witnesses for him in every sphere of life, and 3) to protect them from worldly values and beliefs. Now that doesn't mean we study Bible lessons all day. Language skills, math, history, science, life-skills...these are all important to building our effectiveness in life. Keeping our children at home provides a safe place for them to grow and experience natural daily rhythms, family togetherness, parental example and values, and flexibility in learning styles with individualized attention to needs and potential.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 tells us: And thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart: And thou shall teach them diligently to thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up.
Jesus said:
"I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:12
"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousnesses of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His visible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incoruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen. Romans 1:18-25
