It seems to have become quite trendy among religious homeschool co-ops and resources to require parents to sign a “statement of faith” before enrolling their children in the program. These “statements of faith” may be as simple as swearing you are Christian and as complex as to make sure you match, theologically and philosophically, with the ideals of the co-op’s founding individual or organization on every single level. If you do not sign, you do not join. Insisting on a signed “statement of faith” may be within these groups’ right, but I don’t think it is right, morally. I also don’t think it’s particularly Christian.
What’s in a “statement of faith?” Ead’s Home Ministry would be happy to walk you through creating one for your religious co-op, because nothing says “love thy neighbor” like something specifically designed to “[e]xclude families that do not share the faith [you] have,” right? Among the many families you can exclude through your carefully worded “statements of faith” are those who practice “Non-Christian faiths and the cults” ( “cults” usually meaning “Mormons and/or any sect/denomination we don’t like”), believe in any form of “liberal theology” (like the notion that the Bible isn’t absolutely literal, accurate, and perfectly translated — not matter what version you’re using), or who don’t believe in the “truth about hell” (“truth” being a word I’ve noticed gets thrown around a lot in groups of this nature).
The words that springs to mind when I see such required “statements of faith” aren’t “devout” or “Godly.” They’re “defensive” and “insecure.” Surely, one who is secure in the rightness of one’s faith wouldn’t feel threatened by the inclusion of someone who didn’t think exactly alike. Surely, allowing a secularly homeschooled child to participate in a math or art class with your children won’t shake your children’s religious foundation or be an affront to your God. What’s the real intent of a “statement of faith” anyway? Is it really to help protect those of different faiths from being “uncomfortable” or feeling out of place, as the above website claims?
Do religious homeschool co-ops really believe they are in danger of being inundated by secular homeschoolers, with the intent of converting (or unconverting) their children and bringing down their organizations? The teachings of some fundamentalist churches are awfully paranoid, so perhaps they are ascribing an agenda to secular homeschoolers and our children. Concepts like “tolerance” and “inclusivity” are presented as subtle ploys to undermine belief. Personally, I’ve never met a secular homeschooler who wanted to waste their money and their child’s educational time on a creationist science class or Titus 2-style daddy/husband worship Bible study program, period, let alone one who desired to waste that time and money simply to undermine the program. We might like to enroll in classes on art, music, math, or a variety of other subjects. If we find the subject matter or the co-op itself to be so offensive, counter to our beliefs, or beyond our comfort level, we just don’t sign our kids up for it.
I know a few secular homeschoolering families who participate in religious co-ops in order to have access to classes and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise get. Their goal isn’t to disrupt class or try to dispute any religious messages. They don’t teach their children to argue with the teachers or try to convince the other children in the class that their beliefs are wrong. The expect their children to be respectful of the co-op’s teachers, rules, and beliefs, just like you would respect the rules and beliefs of someone in whose home you were a guest. Most of them use the differences in beliefs as an after-class teaching tool, to show that people who believe different things can still come together in certain areas. Isn’t that a message we want to teach children, rather than the message of excluding and reviling anyone not exactly like us?
In many areas, especially smaller towns and rural regions, religious co-ops are the only game in town. Thankfully, not all religious homeschool co-ops and resources require these exclusive “statements of faith.” Some have them listed on their website or in their paperwork, which is helpful in making the theological and philosophical foundation of the organization obvious, but don’t require that parents or children sign them. Some require only that their administrators and/or teachers sign. Plenty seem to still actually believe that their goal should be educating children and providing services to the community. That seems to mesh a whole lot more with what I’ve read about Jesus than “keep your kids away from mine, you sinner” — then again, secular homeschooler here, so I supposed my understanding of the Bible is automatically suspect.
Incidentally, I’ve yet to come across a secular homeschool co-op that required anyone sign a “statement of non-faith.” In fact, our co-op is “an all-inclusive group” that “welcomes diversity” and doesn’t “discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political views, or teaching style.” Is that really so very threatening?
Our homeschool group includes the word Christian and the group has an SOF but NO ONE has to sign it. I’m sure some view that SOF as a means of subtly excluding those who they know will be turned off by it, but I think most of us in the group just view it as a place of common ground. It lets us know that we aren’t going to debate doctrine or denominational specifics. And it lets the non-christian know that their kid is probably going to get a Happy Birthday Jesus pencil at Christmas time.
Everyone does have to sign the code of conduct form which, IMO, is the bigger issue. That mostly speaks to parents being responsible for their own child’s behavior, be on time for field trips, etc.
I don’t know of a local secular homeschool group. Most are associated with charter schools (public school homeschooling groups that pay for your secular curriculum) which exclude all but members. I’d actually love to find an inclusive group because I’d like to have BOTH. A place where my children’s science project on dinosaurs won’t make eyes roll and another place where we can experience more variety in beliefs.
I absolutely agree with you that Christians need to get out of their church, their groups, their social clubs, and interact with people around them. The idea of hiding in your tree house & having secret passwords isn’t found anywhere in Scripture.
Do you think mandatory SOFs are more prevalent in Bible belt areas of the country? (Sorry this is so long)
I’m finding information about mandatory SoFs on co-op websites all over the country, so I don’t know that they’re necessarily more prevalent in the Bible belt. I do think they are probably a lot less common on the Pacific coast, though, which might be why you’d encounter them less out there.
I don’t think that the “SoF as mission statement” thing is problematic. Frankly, I appreciate the transparency. I want to know going in what I’m going in to, if you’ll pardon my ending with a preposition. I don’t generally personally feel comfortable joining most Christian groups, since that’s not my theological cuppa, but there are some Christian denominations whose beliefs aren’t off-putting to me and with whom I’d gladly associate. It’s not the content, but the attitude, that makes me uncomfortable. The mandatory SoFs seem to encapsulate that attitude pretty well.
I agree with you. I’ve gone to plenty of groups who were catty for lack of a better word. Sadly, they are far more common than they should be.
There are days when I think “CC” on the WTM forums stands for “catty content.” Other days, of course, I’m glad for the kind words and offers of prayers and support from the Christian homeschoolers on the forums and in real life. Prayer is always a welcome gift.
I am a devout Christian – an evangelical one even. That being said right up front here, I agree completely with everything you’ve written. I have run into a local group that sounded really interesting and knew up front that they were Christian-based (and this was all well and good because they should line right up with our family beliefs) BUT the statement of faith agreement, which by the way required multiple references, was alarming in its detail and rigidity. There is no way I want to be part of that. I honestly don’t want my child picking up on those exclusive, fear-based attitudes. We do belong to one Christian group and my son takes weekly enrichment classes with a secular group.
Surely the families in these highly exclusive groups have the intent of ensuring that their children are raised securely according to the family’s religious beliefs, but I am personally embarrassed by the message they are inadvertently sending to the very people that Jesus actually charged us with loving, not to mention that they’re perpetuating their ignorance of this very fact through their children.
I do wonder what these people think will happen to their children when they go off into the world. You can’t keep your kids in a protective bubble forever, and if you don’t teach them ways of interacting with those of other beliefs while still maintaining your own, how will your children deal with opposing viewpoints the first time they encounter them? I think exposure to a wide array of people, choices, and ideas, then taking the time to talk about how ours differ from theirs, has really helped my kids develop the confidence in their beliefs that I hope will carry them through their lives without joining a cult.
Excellently put, Smrt Mama.
I’m known for my excellence. Also, my ridiculousness. Oh, oh, and my hyperbole! EVERYONE knows me for that!
I think if Jesus were around today that a good number of Christians would be appalled by him. He would be hanging out with lepers and sinners and such.
I agree with what you wrote. I started an inclusive homeschooling group in our area because there were none that fit what we needed. Most were either too far away for us to travel regularly, the only one really in my area has a mandatory SOF that you have to sign to be a member. The first line of the SOF talks about families and against homosexual families. This turned me completely off and running from the group. It’s been hard starting an inclusive group in an area where most homeschoolers are homeschooling for religious reasons and are ok with the SOF of the big group.
I could smile and nod my way through a lot of stuff if a co-op had resources I needed, but bigotry, racism, or sexism would definitely rule them out, no matter how great the stuff they offered. Some people are actively anti-inclusivity.
This reminds me of 3 related problems I have ran across here in our area that I believe are related to the SOF mentality:
Bashing of Girl Scouts in favor of American Heritage Girls because GSUSA does not discriminate against lesbians, childless adult volunteers and single mothers.
The insistence that HSLDA is working to make Homeschooling co-ops safe from sexual predators when HSLDA sent out their warning about legislation that would protect homosexuals from being discriminated against in the work place.
Then there is my first hand experience with a local homeschooler that joined one of the inclusive groups we have been in for years. It started when a member mentioned wanting to start a drama club. A new member said that she looked forward to the chance for Christian fellowship and to install Christian values in the children in the club. I mentioned that the group was inclusive and that many members were non-Christian. She insisted that inclusive just meant all denominations and that her friends in the groups would not risk the lives and souls of their children by having them around non-Christians. She even went as far as to say something to the effect of (paraphrasing because I do not remember the exact words): “I will do anything to keep non-Christians away from my children and their own.” Thankfully the group handled it very well. Even going as far as having one of the leaders call me at home to make certain that I was OK.
I admit that the American Heritage Girls kind of freak me out. I’m Judgy McJudgerpants.
Geez Sharon, how did they find out that we non Christians eat Christian children? Serious, though, these anecdotes are sad but not that surprising, considering that a sizable contingent of home educators are in this game because they disapprove of the liberal and secular leanings of mainstream education (regarding creationism, ‘modesty’ and so on).
What I hate most about Statements of Faith is that they try to determine who is and isn’t appropriately Christian. If you don’t follow THEIR exact beliefs, then you can’t join, and they’ll tell you their opinion of how you stand with God, too. I hate the Christian Content labels on posts, as well, because I never know if it means a request for prayer (and, guess what! I pray!) or if it’s code for “Enter here only if you subscribe to a narrow and rigid set of rules that have been defined as the only acceptable ones for Christians.”
I tried for years to merge my faith with still calling myself a Christian. I finally decided that the Christians didn’t really want me to consider myself aligned with them any more than I wanted to be aligned with their political views. The deity and I are all right with each other, whatever I call myself.
I believe there are two exclusive forces at work in our world. The first simultaneously promotes individuality and creates interconnection, the second demands conformity and results in isolation. I’ve been able to make some quick and accurate determinations about people and organizations looking through that lens.
We joined a local group that made us sign a statement of faith. I pretty much just glazed over it and thought “I am a Christian and so are they.” Whatever.
I do have a friend who is Catholic who joined and I had to laugh, REALLY? They let you in? (Eventually she left because they made her feel uncomfortable.)
It seems this group is full of Baptists who are super evangelical…and they pretty much let the SOF make them feel as if they can constantly insult other religions (Read: Muslims) on their forums. It makes me sick.
Honestly, I’m not too fond of this group we are in, but until I figure out something better or know a few more people…we’re stuck.
Very good post, glad I found it.
What is the typical position of Christian churches with respect to non-believers who want to visit? It’s inclusion, not exclusion. Love, acceptance, welcoming and embracing others, generosity of spirit — these are among the true “Christian” virtues on display in many churches. So why a different stance among these good, loving Christians when it comes to homeschooling?
I’ll tell you why: homeschooling for them is as much about the religious indoctrination of young, pliable minds as it is about anything else. A child’s natural gifts of curiosity and skepticism—traits that have served our species well for millennia—have to be suppressed and defeated, lest the child grow up and think for herself.
Would Jesus exclude and separate like this? Making a SoF a requirement is the most unchristian thing one can do.