The School Choice movement is steadily advancing in red states across the country. How can we, as citizens, engage with this legislative issue and protect education independence in our states?
It is important that we consider and wrestle with arguments for and against School Choice policies. If you live in Tennessee, this conversation is not only important but timely. Many elected officials in Tennessee, including Governor Bill Lee, have dedicated themselves to implementing School Choice legislation. With such a unified initiative among state politicians, it is important for Tennesseans to understand this issue and consider its implications.
To help parents engage with the School Choice movement in an accessible way, mom, patriot, and host of Truthwire News, Kelly Jackson sat down with Classical ConversationsÂź CEO, Robert Bortins. Together, they break down voucher policies, consider claims made by ESA advocates, and lay out the effects this legislation has on families.
Kelly Jackson and Robert Bortins discuss School Vouchers in Tennessee.
Here are some of the questions they discuss:
Who is advocating for School Choice policies in Tennessee?
Who benefits from School Choice legislation?
How can Tennessean families defend education independence in their state?
Robert Bortins is the CEO of Classical Conversations and the host of Refining Rhetoric. The company has grown from supporting homeschoolers in about 40 states to supporting homeschoolers in over 50 countries and has become the worldâs largest classical homeschooling organization under his guidance.
If you are a mom like me, homeschooling is not new to your familyâs rhythm. My oldest is a senior, and I have been his primary teacher since he was born. Right now, my prayers naturally turn toward asking for wisdom for this new season and what lies ahead for him and our relationship. I also naturally pray through the changes our family has been going through this last year and the changes still to come. I pray over the new events and trials for others in my life. I pray for the ânew trees.â
In the forest of my life, sometimes I lose sight of whatâs going on around me because it all looks the same. Most people have heard of nose blindness to the smells weâve become accustomed to, but could there be a blindness to the consistent rhythms of our lives? My cousin once told me of a lady she knew who would literally stand in the bread aisle and pray over which loaf of bread to buy. That has never been my style, but could there be a chance that I am missing out on paying attention to and praying for the things that arenât new, the things I find ordinary?
PLEASE JOIN US AND OTHER HOMESCHOOLERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WE:
Give thanks for the freedom we have to homeschool our children,
Pray for homeschooling families in your own nation and around the world,
Pray for upcoming elections and the impact they may have on homeschooling,
Pray for your stateâs homeschool organization and its leaders,
Pray for your elected officials to recognize that the education of children is the responsibility of the parents, not that of the nation,
Pray for your own familyâyour homeschooling journey and the Lordâs guidance as you take that journey, your relationships with one another, your own children and their futures, as well as seeking ways your family can minister to others,
Rejoice in Godâs mercy and His faithfulness in all things.
If youâre like me, itâs good to have these reminders to help us see what we have become accustomed to seeing. If you are reading this, Iâm praying for you, too. Wherever you are in your homeschooling journey, I pray that you will see the tiny miracles of grace happening in yourself and in the lives around you, that you wonât take a single school day (which is every day) for granted, and that you will invest each moment for the sake of the kingdom and for the smile of your Father.
Lauren Gideon is the Director of Grassroots Advocacy forClassical ConversationsÂź and she teaches through an organization committed to raising citizenship IQ on U.S. founding documents. She and her husband homeschool their seven children on their small acreage, where they are enjoying their new adventures in homesteading.
The School Choice movement has taken the United States by storm as hundreds of Republican legislatures from sea to shining sea are pushing to pass school choice legislation in their states.
The aim of school choice is to support a parent’s right to choose where they send their children to school by funding that choice using taxpayer money. A popular slogan used by the movement that you may have heard is “Fund students, not systems.” Policies like voucher programs and Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) all collect taxpayer funds, redistribute them, and use those funds to pay for public and private school options.
Ballotpedia reports, “As of 2024, 14 states had enacted ESA programs. Programs in six statesâFlorida, Iowa, Utah, West Virginia, Arizona, and Arkansas, and North Carolinaâcovered all or most students.” Currently, state legislators in Kentucky are working to add their state to the list.
Amendment 2
On January 26 of this year, State Representative Suzanne Miles (R-7) introduced Amendment 2 to the legislature. On March 13, the measure rapidly passed in the House with a 65-32 vote; on March 15, it passed in the Senate with a 27-8 vote majority.
In Kentucky, after the legislature passes an amendment measure, it is put on the ballot for the people to vote on. This vote will take place on November 5, 2024. Before this day arrives, it is crucial that we educate ourselves on the amendment and its implications.
Amendment 2 states, “The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186, and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.”
To view Kentucky’s current state constitution, visit this link.
When explaining the immediate effects of Amendment 2, Attorney and Former Kentucky Solicitor General Chad Meredith explained in a debate with KET.org,
“This amendment does not make any policy… All this [amendment] does is it puts the ball in the court of the legislature to make policy. If the legislature decides to make vouchers, then we will have a system like that. If they don’t, we won’t. This amendment has nothing to do with vouchers.
All this amendment does is it sets the stage for the legislature to be able to make education policy, unfettered of any restrictions that were put on it in the 1890’s.”
It is important to recognize the truth in Mr. Meredith’s words when he says, “This amendment does not make any policy.” In fact, it does not. However, when we hear him say,“All this amendment does is it sets the stage for the legislature to be able to make education policy, unfettered of any restrictions,” we should be very wary.
Before you vote, please consider the immediate and permanent implications that this amendment would invite and answer the following questions:
Is it wise to remove the guardrails on education policy?
Should Kentucky vote to open the floodgates to a voucher program?
A Warning to Kentucky
Though the amendment does not pass School Choice legislation, we must acknowledge that it welcomes the creation of such policy in Kentucky. If you are unfamiliar with the issue of School Choice and the effects it has had on other states, here are a few resources to look into before you vote on Amendment 2:
Weaponizing “School Choice” To Control ALL Education, Alex Newman
The truth is that using public funds for private education is not only legislative malpractice but also dangerous because with public funding comes public oversight. We have seen this movie beforeâconsider how the government now oversees public healthcare, farming, and universities. This is because these industries accepted the government check, and now, they are under government control.
Do we want this to happen in our private schools and homeschools? I think you would resolutely agree with Classical ConversationsÂź when we argue no. We want to keep our education independence! So, we must reject the use of public funds for private education before it is too late.
Protect Education Independence in November!
Thankfully, if you live in Kentucky, you still have the ability to vote down this attempt to alter your state constitution to unfettered School Choice policy in your state. Educate yourself on Amendment 2 before November 5, share this urgent information with your friends and family, and go prepared on November 5 to protect education independence in your state.
Elise DeYoung is a Public Relations and Communications Associate and a Classical ConversationsÂźgraduate. With CC, she strives to know God and to make Him known in all aspects of her life. She is a servant of Christ, an avid reader, and a professional nap-taker. As she continues her journey towards the Celestial City, she is determined to gain wisdom and understanding wherever it can be found. Soli Deo gloria!
How will Kentucky Amendment 2 affect our educational independence? Will it lead to less freedom for homeschoolers?
Listen to this thought-provoking conversation on this episode of Refining Rhetoric between Robert Bortins and Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. While Dr. Mohler is for the amendment, Robert is more skeptical.
Read our blog to learn more about Kentucky Amendment 2.
Traditionally, the United States acknowledged that the responsibility of educating children fell primarily on the parents of that child. This common consensus can be seen in Supreme Court rulings like the 1925 decision Pierce vs. the Society of Sisters, and in the Merriam-Webster 1828 dictionary definition of “educate.” The definition explicitly states, “To educate children well is one of the most important duties of parents and guardians.”
However, today, many of our leaders are offering a different answer to this question. They argue that it is primarily the government’s job to ensure that children are properly educated. Consider what James Dwyer, a Professor at the William & Mary School of Law, stated in an interview: “The state needs to be the ultimate guarantor of a child’s wellbeing.” Even President Joe Biden said in a speech to public school teachers, “They aren’t someone else’s, they are all our children.” Furthermore, our current education climate is dominated by the public school system, state regulations on education, and crackdowns on independent education. It is clear that, in the eyes of our leaders and legislatures, parents are no longer primarily responsible for the education of children.
This past year, this worldview shift took root in the great state of Colorado. In fact, this November, citizens of Colorado will vote on Amendment 80, which, if passed, would enshrine this novel idea into their state constitution. What is Amendment 80? What would be its effects? Should voters in Colorado support it in November? All of these questions, and more, must be considered by the citizens of Colorado so that they can be prepared to vote either “Yes” or “No” when the ballot comes their way.
“To educate children well is one of the most important duties of parents and guardians.”
Amendment 80
Amendment 80 reads, “Section 1. In the Constitution of the State of Colorado, add section 18 to Article IX as follows: section 18. Education – school choice (1) purpose and findings. The people of the state of Colorado hereby find and declare that all children have the right to equal opportunity to access a quality education; that parents have the right to direct the education of their children; and that school choice includes neighborhood, charter, private, and home schools, open enrollment options, and future innovations in education. (2) Each k-12 child has the right to school choice.”
Briefly put, this amendment seeks to enshrine four claims in the state constitution:
All children have the right to equal opportunity to access a quality education.
Parents have the right to direct the education of their children.
School Choice includes neighborhood, charter, private, and home schools, open enrollment options, and future innovations in education.
Each K-12 child has the right to School Choice.
While these things may sound appealing, there are severe implications that must be considered before you vote on Amendment 80.
A Warning to Colorado
Parental rights vs. Child’s rights
The amendment is centered around the idea of a child’s right to quality education. The first problem, of course, is that if you give children rights, then you practically abolish parental rights. Parental rights” are a negative right, while a so-called “child’s right to education” is a positive right. Carolyn Martin, Director of Government Relations for Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC), defined a negative right in her article Right to an Education? as “the requirement of someone else not to interfere in your ability to obtain something.” Conversely, Martin explains that positive rights “are a requirement of someone else to provide you with something.”
Parental rights require the government to ensure that nothing obstructs a parent’s ability to fulfill their God-given responsibility to raise and educate their children. This right is turned upside down. If we implement “a child’s right to education,” suddenly it becomes the government’s responsibility and jurisdiction to provide “quality education” for all children everywhere. The immediate effect of this is the government can no longer “stay out of the way.” It must oversee, regulate, and manage the education of all children to ensure that a child’s so-called “right to quality education” is protected. As soon as we permit the government to oversee our children, we abolish parental rights.
How is “quality education” defined in Amendment 80?
The second problem with Amendment 80 is the vague language of “quality education.” The big question this amendment fails to answer is, who gets to define “quality education”? UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the globalist organization that is actively working to globalize education, defines quality education as DEI education. Their website says that it is their job to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” When you sit down to educate your children, is teaching them diversity, equity, and inclusion your top priority? Hopefully not. But that is the priority of the elites who openly work to control your child’s education.
Parental rights require the government to ensure that nothing obstructs a parent’s ability to fulfill their God-given responsibility to raise and educate their children.
While the state of Colorado may not adopt UNESCO’s radical view of “quality education,” we must recognize that its definition has the potential to be hostile to a classical, Christian education. Most likely, its definition will look more like the public school system where the Bible is banned from classrooms, sex education is taught for all ages, and patriotism is cast to the side in exchange for progressivism.
In short, this amendment would enshrine in the Colorado Constitution that “The government is responsible for the education of your children.” This is such an egregious assault on parental rights and the natural law that organizations like CHEC are speaking out against this amendment and warning parents about the severe implications.
Protect Education Independence in Colorado!
In November, it is up to the voters of Colorado to protect your state from this blatant infringement on parental rights. Educate yourself on the amendment, share this information with your friends and family, and vote “NO” this November to protect your education independence.
For more information on what is on the Colorado ballot this November, visit coloradosos.gov.
Elise DeYoung is a Public Relations and Communications Associate and a Classical ConversationsÂź graduate. With CC, she strives to know God and make Him known in all aspects of her life. She is a servant of Christ, an avid reader, and a professional nap-taker. As she continues her journey towards the Celestial City, she is determined to gain wisdom and understanding wherever it can be found. Soli Deo gloria!
There has been an international push over many decades to create a right of education for children. The United Nations (UN) through UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has been at the forefront of this push and they have established several treaties beginning in 1960 with the UN Convention Against Discrimination in Education. Interestingly, the United States (US) has declined to ratify these treaties. Homeschoolers fought hard against the ratification by the US Senate of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) since it was signed by the Clinton administration in 1995. Despite this, individual states and the federal government have been implementing various aspects of these treaties through their lawmaking process for years.
Parental Rights or Rights of the Child
In Colorado, we have seen for some time now a shift away from parental rights to the rights of a child, including when it comes to education. There have even been some attempts this year to put the right of a child to a quality education in the Colorado Constitution. Under the biblical order of the family, it is parents who steward the rights of children until they are capable of handling the responsibility of exercising their rights on their own.
Positive Rights vs. Negative Rights
Attorney Kevin Boden, from HSLDA, gave those who attended the class at CHECâs Homeschool Day at the Capitol a quick lesson on the difference between positive rights and negative rights. Negative rights are the requirements of someone else not to interfere in your ability to obtain something. He referred us to the 4th Amendment guarantee to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures without probable cause. The government is responsible for making sure they do not infringe on our right of property. Positive rights are a requirement of someone else to provide you with something. Here, he referred to the 6th Amendment right to a speedy trial, which the government must provide through its taxpayer-funded judicial system.
The parental right to direct the upbringing, care, and education of their children is a negative right. The government must secure that fundamental right given to us by God and not infringe upon it. A right of a child to a quality education is a positive right. It would require the government to provide for the education and ensure the quality of it. Home education would be subjected to greater scrutiny because the government would have a duty to evaluate the quality and content of the education being provided by the parents. Natureâs law is based on negative rights, not positive rights, but the world system is trying to move all nation states toward the positive rights structure through the UN treaties.
Ideas have Consequences
Ideas have consequences, and we must be careful to choose wisely what ideas we support and stay true to Godâs order for the family and education. As the election season heats up, letâs make sure we ask probing questions of those who want to represent us! Do they support parental rights, and what does that mean to them? Do they know the difference between childrenâs rights and parentâs rights? How will they ensure we have the freedom to home educate our children without government intrusion?
Our parental rights are in danger, and we must stand together to preserve them.
Colorado Amendment 80 is on the ballot on November 5. Before you walk into the voting booth, educate yourself and inform others to do so as well. Amendment 80 could open the doors to unintended consequences in our fight for educational independence and protecting our homeschool freedoms. As citizens, it is our responsibility to be informed of what our government officials are doing!
Carolyn Martin serves as CHECâs Director of Government Relations, working for you and other liberty-loving families to protect homeschool freedom, parental rights, and religious liberty at the state capitol. Subscribe to the CHEC blog for Carolynâs regular updates here, learn more about legal issues in Colorado here, and donate to support Homeschool Freedom here. Contact Carolyn directly at carolyn@chec.org.
The purpose of education is to know God and to make Him known; therefore, we believe education, like religion, is a sacred pursuit outside the jurisdiction of the state.
Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 2 would allow state funding for non-public education.
The Kentucky legislature passed Amendment 2 earlier this year. It will be on your ballot this fall. Amendment 2 will change the fabric of the state government by changing the Kentucky Constitution.
In a Nutshell
Amendment 2 can potentially compromise Education Independence. The language of the amendment and the existing authority by law could give taxpayer money to independent homeschoolers, leading to possible government oversight and regulation of their homeschools or legally changing the definition of the homeschooler in the state.
Below is a summary of the amendment’s language, concerns, and possible implications for Kentuckians. At the bottom of this news bulletin, you will find background information on government-funded homeschooling and resources.
âSection 2. IT IS PROPOSED THAT A NEW SECTION BE ADDED TO THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY TO READ AS FOLLOWS: The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186, and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.”
Concerns & Possible Implications
Section 186:“All funds accruing to the school fund shall be used for the maintenance of the public schools of the Commonwealth, and for no other purpose.“
Would Section 186 Necessitate Private and Homeschools to Become Public Schools?
We have seen instances in other states where homeschoolers opt in for a program, and they are no longer legally classified (with its protections) as homeschoolers.
In Arizona, for example, the student is legally referred to as an âESA studentâ and no longer qualifies as a homeschool student by law, as stated by the Arizona Department of Education. “ESA studentsâŠare not considered âhomeschoolâ students by state law.â
Section 189: “No portion of any fund or tax now existing ⊠shall be appropriated to, or used by, or in aid of, any church, sectarian or denominational school.”
Would Amendment 2 Contradict Section 189?
Section 189âs language seems to be very clear on this matter.
The South Carolina Supreme Court recently ruled that the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) (Act) was unconstitutional for this reason.
Watch Out for Policy Creep
Although the amendment does not pass School Choice law, we must acknowledge that it provides the opportunity for such legislation and the opportunity for policy creep in Kentucky. To aid your understanding of Education Independence and School Choice, hereis an article to help you. In Addition, investigate the resources below before you vote on Amendment 2.
Protect the Constitution & Education Independence on Election Day
Kentuckians can protect the state constitution and Kentucky from future bad policy.
Before election day, explore the resources below and share this urgent information. Protect Education Independence in your state and vote against the public capture of private education.
You Are Invited!
Classical Conversations cordially invites members of the community to an open forum to discuss Amendment 2. This important event will occur on October 9, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Warren County Public Library, 175 Iron Skillet Ct., Bowling Green, KY 42104.
Join us for an engaging discussion led by Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations. This event serves as a conservative Christian rally for education independence.
Sadie Aldaya is the Manager of Research & Policy for Classical ConversationsÂź . Sadie and her husband homeschooled for over 20 years. She served as a Classical Conversations field representative for 15 years, providing community and support for other homeschooling families. Sadieâs passions are to stop government encroachment in areas where they have no authority or jurisdiction and to see Christians return to a biblical Christ-centered worldview.
Guess what? It’s time for another trip to the grocery store! I typically have a list of items that I intend to purchase. However, recently, I have found myself walking past items like apples only to say, “4 lbs. of Honey Crisp apples are not worth $7.25; that is too expensive.” Maybe you would have done the exact opposite and purchased the apples because you heard your grandma’s voice saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” To buy or not to buy apples might seem unimportant at this moment, but there is a more important thought to consider. How do we assign value to that bag of apples?
Talking About Educational Freedom
In her article “Independence,” Lauren Gideon said, “The cost of independence is expensive, but what is the value of freedom?” The reality is that the answer to this question might look different for each of us. Just like my earlier example of buying apples, we each have different reasons for valuing homeschooling and the freedom that comes with it. How do we find a way to come together when our value of an issue might not look quite the same? In the Challenge II Guide, under the Debate strand descriptions and goals, it states, “This strand holds together the ideas that we must learn to reason and argue well, that we must learn lessons of the past, and that we must seek harmony with our fellow man.”
The unfolding of this goal in my own home has been extremely beautiful. Hard conversations are just that, hard. However, with these skill sets of reasoning, arguing well, learning from the past, and seeking harmony with our fellow man, we are given the tools to navigate through hard conversations. So, let’s get to talking! There is value in talking about Educational Freedom!
What We Know
The Wyoming Education Savings Act was signed into law on March 21, 2024, and is governed by W.S. SS 21-2-901 through 21-2-909. It will go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
Families with a household income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines will qualify.
21-2-903 (a) The total amount to be deposited in an education savings account for an ESA student each year shall be determined by the student’s household income compared to the federal poverty levels, using the most recent federal poverty guidelines for the student’s household size and income, as follows; six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) for students whose household income is at or below one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the federal poverty level.
Parents must ensure their children receive instruction in core subjects and take annual proficiency tests.
21-2-904 (b) (ii) (B) Requires that the ESA student take the statewide assessments administered pursuant to W.S. 21-2-304(a) or a nationally normed achievement exam.
The State Superintendent will be solely responsible for the ESA program.
21-2-905 (b) The state superintendent shall establish procedures for approving applications in an expeditious manner.
21-2-907 (a) Before receiving payment from an ESA, a prospective education service provider shall: (i) Be certified by the state superintendent of public instruction pursuant to W.S. 21-2-906(a) to receive payments from ESAs.
What We Don’t Know
New legislatures and programs often leave us wondering how they will all come together in the end. Maybe you had some questions as you read through the new ESA program in Wyoming. I know that I did. Even as I began writing this article, I still had many unanswered questions. What an excellent opportunity to practice those rhetorical skills that we are instilling in our students! As I navigated this topic of government-funded homeschooling, I quickly realized that being educated on not only current ESA policy but also past ESA policy in other states was the most efficient way to have a voice.
What do you do if you don’t know how to bake an apple pie? You go to a reliable source. Maybe that is your grandmother, or maybe it is Pinterest. In either case, the education begins! Here are a few ways to educate ourselves and find the answers to the things we don’t know.
In Wyoming, we are blessed with a state homeschool organization called Homeschool Wyoming. The folks at Homeschool Wyoming work diligently to defend our homeschool rights. They have read the legislation, broken it apart, and gleaned all the information available to help educate homeschool families in Wyoming. I encourage you to reach out to them and ask your questions.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a non-profit advocacy organization that makes homeschooling possible by protecting homeschooling families and equipping them to provide the best educational experience for their children. On its webpage, HSLDA offers state-specific information on home school law in a user-friendly and approachable way. Contacting and talking to an HSLDA representative is easy; they are knowledgeable and resourceful.
Contact your local representative. They vote on our legislation; they are our voice. They have read the bills, worked with the committees, and taken phone calls from their constituents. If you are unsure of who your representatives are, you can find them by going to Wyoming Legislators.
The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) is another resource for educating yourself specifically about education-related topics. After not seeing some of the things I had questions about while researching for this article, I contacted the WDE. I received a return call quickly, and every question I had was answered to the best of their knowledge.
Classical ConversationsÂź itself also offers a variety of information on Educational Freedom. If you are new to the idea of Educational Freedom, this is the place to start!
âAn educated person is not someone who knows something, but someone who can explain what they know to others.â Leigh A. Bortins, The Core.
Let’s get educated. Let’s commit to knowing. Let’s raise awareness. Let’s explain what we know to others. If not for someone initiating this conversation with me, I would never have moved toward being better educated on educational freedom and ESAs. We have the ability to know what we didn’t know before!
Moving Forward
Let’s go back to my original question. How do we assign value to that bag of apples? It isn’t really about apples, is it?It is about the value of the educational freedoms that we currently have and the value of maintaining them. The Apostle Paul writes, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
As we move forward into the uncharted waters of Educational Savings Accounts and government-funded homeschool options in Wyoming, my hope is that we walk in a manner that is honoring to Christ, that our conversations are seasoned with humility, gentleness, grace, and patience, that we continue to love one another and strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit. Will we always agree? No. Will we answer all of the questions?Probably not. But I confidently believe we can remain unified through Christ and grow through hard conversations. It is my prayer for the state of Wyoming to continue to honor and value our educational freedoms as homeschoolers. Please join me in this prayer!
Laura Taylor lives in northeast Wyoming. She and her husband, Pete, have four children aged 11 to 17. Laura is a Support Representative for northeast Wyoming and serves as a Challenge Director in her CC Community. She strives to seek God daily, support Pete in his business endeavors, and educate their children all for God’s glory. She enjoys gathering with friends and family and avidly supports her kids’ shooting sports activities. It is her prayer that in their daily lives, they can point others to Christ and the richness that can be found in a relationship with him.
Homeschool Days at the Capitol, Legislative Days, Capitol Days, Pie Day, and other similar events foster communication between parents and their elected representatives. Seize this excellent opportunity to teach your children the importance of the legislative process. Help them mature into civic leaders who will help protect American freedoms.
The chart below lists October Homeschool Days at the Capitol. Check your stateâs dates here if itâs not listed below.
How did we arrive at the place where freedom of speech is cherished in American culture until someone says something the other doesnât agree with? How is it that for over 200 years, patriots have fought and died for the right for us to continue to exercise our 1st Amendment rightâeven if we reveal our ignorance on an issue, say something unpopular, embarrassingly ridiculous, or counter-cultural?
Just as important…can this road be traversed in reverse?
Walk with me, and letâs ponderâFreedom of speech: A unifying right until our perspectives clash.
How Indeed?
How indeed, has the âYouâre entitled to your opinionâ slogan superseded the right for someone to voice oneâare we even entitled to our opinion anymore? Can we turn back the crashing societal waves of mind control and behavioral modification? Can we control our minds and modify our own behavior? So many questions!
Letâs start withâŠ
Evidence of Societal Mind Control and Behavioral Modification
Weâve all been there. Itâs on the tip of your tongue, but you donât dare say it. Perhaps youâve felt ashamed for even thinking about it! Why? Was it sinful? No. Was it unkind? Not really. Was it true? Yes. Then why wasnât it said?
Could it be that we didnât want to encounter the discomfort of being scoffed at, shunned, or silenced?
Exhibit A â Conditioning of the populace through political correctness.
How did we get to the place where we must all be in lockstep when it comes to our opinions, ideas, values, and morals or face the retribution of those around us? Why is tolerance spouted from every organization and every talking head on television, but tolerance isnât really valued, only strict adherence to the prevailing dogma?
Exhibit B â Conditioning of the population through the philosophy of intersectionality, where one’s opinions are weighted and valued based not on how they stack up against objective truth but on where their labels fall within certain categories.
How, in a free society, can the leader of the free world paint a segment of people with a broad brush, clumping their ideologies together based on their skin color, and call them the âmost dangerous terrorist threatâ[1] to the nationâand not be reprimanded for it?
Exhibit C â Conditioning of the populace through propaganda of fear and hate.
The phenomenon of âCancel Cultureâ cannot escape anybodyâs attention. Since when do we allow abuse of power to âshut the people up?â The number of individuals who have been deplatformed and debanked is astounding!
When it first started, I think we were all stunned and paralyzed, wrestling with our cognitive dissonance, much like an onlooker who sees an impending disaster but canât force themselves to act.
These peopleâs freedom of speech has been revoked. Whether we like what they say or how they say it doesnât matter. They have a right to say it, and we have the right to hear it, support it, or denounce it.
Here is a recent list.
Alex Jones
Milo Yiannopoulos
President Donald Trump
Andrew Tate
Laura Loomer
Gavin McInnes
Gab and Parler
Enrique Tarrio
J.K. Rowling
Shane Dawson
Kevin Hart
Gina Carano
Chris Pratt
…many others
Exhibit D â Cancel Culture, âde-bankingâ and âde-platforming.â
These individuals have faced various forms of de-platforming, de-banking, or cancellation due to their actions or statements that sparked public outrage and led to significant consequences in their professional lives.
They played the long game over many decades, and not enough people realized they had an opponent slipping their freedom away as they slumberedânot unlike a cautious parent weaseling an object from the grip of a sleeping child. Those who did awaken and speak up to warn of the sirenâs call were gagged, silenced, and choked with the pill of âpolitical correctness.â Others were simply pacified.
Now that decades have gone by and many have awakened, their ideas and vocalization of them are met with eye rolls and perhaps condescending utterances of âBoomers.â Their warnings are not heeded because they are viewed as generational gaps in knowledge and societal evolution.
Pastors didnât want to make unnecessary waves for the sake of politeness and unity, so the pulpits remained silent. They rationalized and perpetrated a false sense of âlove and tolerance,â a love that doesnât disagree, point out pitfalls, warn, or correctâa love that places acceptance above all else on the altar.
What was sacrificed in its place?
Truth and the ability to say and hear it without being hurt or triggered. Worse yet, some pastors seized this opportunity to overthrow goodness and righteousness to embrace evil. This is how absolute truth was assassinated.
All of this happened for a few reasons.
The weakest, most susceptible, and malleable among us were captured first in the indoctrination camps (i.e., government schools) for more than 100 years. These eroded the Christian worldview and pumped out little ideologues for decades (the long game…remember?).
Seminaries were infiltrated… for this is where the largest opposition should have been based with fortifications of a strong Christian worldview.
Legacy Media was appropriated, for every good war commander knows you must disrupt their supply chain and communications to take over an opponent completely.
The nuclear family has eroded to the extent that most adults of child-bearing age are forgoing marriage and having children.
Hollywood aided the narrative by pumping out propaganda in story form.
National identity has been eroded and supplanted by the desire for globalization.
We didnât get to where we are overnight, and we wonât get out overnight.
Martin Niemöller was a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. At first, he sympathized with Nazi ideas, but after Hitler came to power in 1933, Niemöller became an outspoken critic of Hitlerâs interference in the Protestant Church. He spent the last eight years of Nazi rule (1937 to 1945) in prisons and concentration camps.
He is famously quoted for the following:
âFirst they came for the socialists, and I did not speak outâbecause I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak outâbecause I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak outâbecause I was not a Jew. Then they came for meâand there was no one left to speak for me.â[2]
Here expressed is Niemöllerâs belief that Germans had been complicit through silence amidst Nazi evils (imprisonment, persecution, and murder of millions of people). He felt this was especially true of the leaders of the Protestant churches, which were made up of Lutheran, Reformed, and United traditions.[2]
Note that he stood against what he initially supported when it conflicted with his Christian worldview. Note also his sincere ownership and regret for failing to speak sooner.
How do We Reverse the Traverse?
In sum, we ask: ‘How do we reverse the traverse?”
1. Stand for truth.
Speak the truth. Donât tolerate lies and falsehoods. Instead, immunize yourself and your loved ones against the contagion of the culture, recognizing that our
ââŠweapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.â 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
At the same time, we should work within our homes, churches, and communities to rebuild the walls of a Christ-centered worldview that has protected and blessed us for so long.
2. Recognize that we don’t…
âWrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.â Ephesians 6:12
Therefore, submerse yourself in prayer and meditation.
3. Be sober about what you spend time viewing, doing, and talking about.
What do you or I spend our time viewing, doing, and talking about? Do we seek truth, beauty, goodness, wisdom, and virtue?
ââŠWhatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthyâmeditate on these things.â  Philippians 4:8
All of this takes time and commitment, but it is the only way out. In and of ourselves, we cannot moderate our minds and behavior, nor should we legislate to do so, for it is the place of the Holy Spirit to bring about the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit. However, it is in our purview to honor the liturgy of the ordinary in our lives, provide time and silence to be â…rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faithâŠâ so that we can…
âBeware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Hm, who is the head of all principality and power.â Colossians 2:7-9
Conclusion
How did we get here?
We arrived through the consumption of a steady diet consisting of complacency, self-elevation, pride, and vigilance. This was combined with the cowardice to accept the threats of isolation and cancelation.
Can we reverse it?
Yes. this can be accomplished by identifying issues, opposing worldviews, and speaking against what is wrong and what is right.
In his poem “The Second Coming” (written shortly after WWI), William Yeats states,
âTurning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity….â[3]
Yeatâs heart was breaking for what humanity was enduring. He knew that the new worldview would eventually fall apart. Anarchy and bloodshed ensued. The best citizens lacked conviction, and the worst people possessed an intense passion for their ideas and beliefs.
In essence, the falcon could not hear the falconer.
Sound familiar?
Itâs clear that Christians need to live a life of repentance, forgiveness, and prayer. Not only should we have a steady diet of the Word, but this must be coupled with discernment and alertness for what passes for culture.
We must recognize that all ideas and philosophies necessitate being captive by Christ.
Without Christ, man’s ideas have consequences. Moreover, these are often severe consequences.
If so, then we should take action.
Sadie Aldaya is the Research & Quality Assurance Specialist for Classical ConversationsÂź Special Projects & Policy Research Department. Sadie and her husband homeschooled for over 20 years. She served as a Classical Conversations field representative for 15 years, providing community and support for other homeschooling families. Sadie’s passions are to stop government encroachment in areas where they have no authority or jurisdiction and to see Christians return to a biblical Christ-centered worldview.
[1] Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing, âBiden Calls White Supremacy âMost Dangerous Terrorist Threatâ in Speech at Howard,â Politico, May 13, 2023. Accessed 6/24/2024. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/13/biden-howard-university-white-supremacy-terrorism-00096811.
[2]United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, “Martin Niemoeller First They Came for Socialists,” Holocaust Encyclopedia, Accessed 6/24/2024. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-niemoeller-first-they-came-for-the-socialists
[3] William Butler Yeats, âThe Second Coming,â Poetry Foundation. Accessed 6/24/2024. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43290/the-second-coming
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