August 18, 1999

EDITORIAL:
Exodus could Balkanize America
___Here's a word for people who think Christians should pull their children out of public schools: "Balkanization."
___The term refers to the nations of southeastern Europe, including such recent names-in-the-news as Albania, Bosnia and the Yugoslavian provinces. But Balkanization transcends geography. It embodies bitter ethnic, racial and religious strife. It bespeaks centuries of bloodshed and genocide.
___Religion provides the taproot of Balkan-ization. In the name of God, Christians, Jews and Muslims slaughter each other. Never mind that their holy teachings do not sanction such violence.
___Balkanization applies to American education, and not just as a topic for geography and history classes.
___Balkanization could be the logical outcome of a strategy to remove Christians from the public schools. We could wind up in a warring nation, divided over aberrant views of religion and devoid of the bonds of civility that undergird democracy.
___This may sound far-fetched. It certainly is foreign to many Texans. But a segregated society is the aim of South Carolina minister Ray Moore, who has called on evangelical Christians to take their 12 million children out of the nation's public schools.
___Of course, most Christian parents have some concerns about their childrens' schooling. The school shootings in Colorado, Georgia and Kentucky come to mind. Some educators espouse social, political and even religious views with which most evangelical Christians disagree. Peer pressure can be as vile, vicious and vulgar as ever.
___But Moore's call for separation--as well as similar stands that begin with blanket condemnation of public schools--espouses an us-versus-them hatred unworthy of the Christian name. It points followers toward Balkanization of society that would pit Christians against everybody else.
___Certainly, Christians are to be different. We are redeemed by Jesus Christ, brought into fellowship with God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. But we are called to invite everyone else--"whosoever will"--to share in that relationship. Our missionary imperative is a far cry from a call to isolation. It compels us to love others toward salvation, not hate them into extinction.
___The call for a Christian exodus from public education is wrong for four reasons:
___ It denies the truth. The Supreme Court did not "throw God out" of public schools. The court ruled public schools cannot sponsor and mandate prayer and Bible reading. However, students still can pray and read their Bibles. Student prayer and Bible study groups have access to school facilities. Students may express their religious convictions in homework, artwork and other assignments. Schools may teach about religion. Students are free to distribute religious literature to the same degree they are free to distribute other materials. Schools may teach moral values.
___ It would hurt the children who are left behind. Such widespread flight would undermine the viability of the entire educational system. More importantly, it would deny these children an opportunity to receive Christ as Savior. Many children never would hear about Christ were it not for the lives and witness of Christian classmates, teachers and school staff members. Should we abandon them?
___ It would harm Christian children. We will not question the motives of parents who pull their kids from public schools. Some cases for home schooling and religious schools may be justified. But children will grow up to live in the real world. Will retreat serve them well? They could grow up not knowing how to relate to people of other faiths and no faiths. Moreover, they would face a world much more hostile because of their abdication.
___ It would damage our society. The immediate impact would be impoverishment of our schools. Many of our best teachers and administrators are fine Christians who would be lost to the school systems. In years to come, the Balkanization effect would erode civility, undermine democracy and threaten the very core of our corporate existence.
___Rather than abandon public schools, get involved and support them. Pray for every school you pass by, and see what a difference your prayers make.
___ --Marv Knox

Email the editor at marvknox@flash.net

---

Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!