This is not a post about particular religious views.

In fact, this is probably not a good forum for such a debate at all.

This is a post about how we should think about and respond to difficult issues.

There are books included in many of Sonlight's packages that some users complain about. In fact, people have gone so far as to say, "How DARE you include such-and-such in your curriculum?" Others huff, "And you call yourself Christian."

Pretty serious accusations. I think my dad and the writers here at Sonlight have done a good job of dealing with these concerns in the "Why Sonlight Uses Certain Books that Some Homeschoolers Won't Touch" article.

For me, I'm glad I grew up reading opposing ideas and discussing difficult questions with my parents. It helped me when I got to high school and encountered ideas that opposed my own. Even so, it is still disconcerting to hear people articulate ideas that go against my beliefs--even worse when there isn't a clear rebuttal.

I ran across one of these today. An article about a young man who got out of Mass with a wafer of the Eucharist has caused quite the commotion. People are ranting and raving.

It's been a while since I have come across such hatred and defamatory speech. These bloggers, and the comments following, spew forth rage against religion.

[NB: If you follow the following links you will encounter profanity.]

But their issues aren't totally without merit. Poorly stated and not very loving, but there is some truth in what they say, even more in what they imply.

But how should we respond?

What do we say to in response to this:

If kidnapping a piece of bread is a mortal sin ... the wost thing you can do, including killing a person ... then what will the average Catholic do to protect the Eucharist? Commit a venial sin?

Or how about this:

Holding a cracker hostage is now a hate crime? The murder of Matthew Shephard was a hate crime. The murder of James Byrd Jr. was a hate crime. This is a [expletive] cracker. Can you possibly diminish the abuse of real human beings any further?

How would you respond?

Well, for starters, I didn't.

I thought about it, but then decided against it. Like the debate about Transubstantiation itself, we're not going to get anywhere in a comments section of a blog. Even if I wrote a really fantastic response to these rhetorical questions, it would fall on deaf ears.

And perhaps that's what those who shield themselves from dissenting and disturbing ideas would argue: What's the point? They're wrong, and I can't convince them otherwise. So why put myself through that?

And this is where my homeschooling experience comes in. The answer: For me, and those around me. I want to know where I stand, what I think about it, and how I would respond if someone asked... for real.

I know I'm not going to get anywhere in the heat of a public lambasting, but if my friend, Christian or not, asked me about it, I should have an answer.

And this is where this is truly a very difficult matter. I don't think there is an easy answer to these serious questions, even if they are not asked seriously. They are weighty matters and hold huge implications to how we think about religion, God, and the state of the world.

And if we don't have practice working through these issues in the comfort of our own home, reading great books and talking with our family, how will we ever be "salt and light"? [Matthew 5:13-16]

Or is that passage really just about doing good deeds and not discussing things for the good of others?

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

My mom has often said that her desire is that those who use Sonlight Curriculum will grow up to be effective and winsome ambassadors for Christ.

I will now tie this to World of Warcraft and American Express.

Watch me.

I like to play World of Warcraft. One of the "Tips" that Blizzard offers as the game loads is to "Bring your friends to Azeroth, but don't forget to go outside Azeroth with them as well."

Good Advice

In other words: You should probably go out into the real world from time to time.

The makers of a game that allows you to instantly connect with people worldwide and talk with them about all manner of things (yes, even spiritually significant stuff) recognize the need to leave your home. So even though I can talk to a depressed 14 year-old in Kansas, a friend in South Carolina, and a man in Iran while wandering the streets of Ironforge, I should probably step out and see my neighbors from time to time.

And when you step out your front door, American Express suggests that you "Don't leave home without it". Well, now that Sonlight accepts American Express (pretty cool, eh?), you could potentially just not leave home. Period.

Some people think that this is exactly what homeschoolers are trying to do: Disconnect from the world; hide away in their homes and never come out. And I guess there are a few like that.

But by and large--loved the pun in Wall-E, by the by--that's not what homeschoolers are about. And that's not what Sonlight is about either. So whether you've just returned form the Fire Festival or were recently out watching some real fireworks, I don't really care if you had your American Express card or not.

I do care that you are out there, making a positive difference in the world in both big and small ways.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

It was about 9pm last night and my friend started talking to me at the top of the stairs coming from the basement while I was standing in the kitchen. He's going through a rough place right now and just needed to talk.

We ended up sitting in the stairwell for at least half an hour talking, crying, and laughing. It was almost like we were back in college again, wandering the campus at night, baring our souls to each other. We could do that because it was late at night and there was nothing else really pressing going on. We can only sit shoulder to shoulder when we have time to do so. Most days we're both at work, on errands, or busy with this or that.

Homeschooling gives us that time with our kids.

Not that all we do is sit around and talk, nor should we, but the flexibility and time afforded by homeschooling lets us do so when the need arises. It lets us be available.

Granted, I still have to go to work everyday, but I start early so I can get home early as well. But my wife will be at home with the kids, always there when the opportunity arises to sit and talk, cuddle, or counsel them. And I'm doing what I can to be there as well.

And "being there" is important.

Otherwise I might miss an opportunity to give my friends and family members the hugs and encouragement they need. And maybe, just maybe, growing up in an environment with a priority on taking time for people has made me more available to others.

I certainly didn't learn it in the mad rush between bells in high school.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

One of the things that homeschooling has the ability to really emphasize is learning everywhere. This certainly applies to historical events--it's the 4th tomorrow and what better time to brush up on some history?

But equally compelling, if not more so, is the historical reason we use fireworks to celebrate the day (guns were involved? Really?). At least, the prospect of explosions was a tad more interesting to me as a youngster than taxes... that may have shifted since then.

...I must be growing up. I think about taxes more than pyrotechnics.

Ouch.

So, as an "elderly chap", what can I do to get back into the spirit of learning? War and struggle for freedoms has become a little too sordid for me as of late, and I while things aren't perfect, I'm not sure it's time to start throwing tea in the lakes of my land-locked state.

Well, I still like fireworks. I could go research what chemicals make the fireworks turn red or yellow or blue. Well, looks like "lithium carbonate", "sodium nitrate", and "copper (I) chloride". Cool. It's been a while since I looked at those kinds of equations.

Or how about physics? If one of the kids on my block lights a 5 gram fire cracker and it goes into the air at a rate of 2 meters/second^2, it would have a force of 0.01 newtons. Not that there'd be a good way to find the acceleration of your firecracker, but it does give a visual representation of what force looks like in action.

So while you're "ooo"ing and "aaa"ing over the noisy light show tomorrow, remember the incredible blessings we experience here in the US, and rejoice in the opportunity and freedom you have to learn at home. And if you get sick of covering your ears to avoid permanent hearing loss, maybe go brush up on sound and the odd world of decibels.

Happy 4th!

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

As I've poured over homeschooling mom's blogs, I kept asking myself: Where does Sonlight fit in all this?

People are using all sorts of homeschooling options, swearing by some and decrying others. There seems to be an equal amount of passion for just about every provider or home-grown learning structure out there. Some like the flexibility of this option, the structure of that; the literature of this curriculum, the workbooks of that one. Someone loves the way this package covers a subject, yet someone else will hate it.

What? How is this possible?

Well, just like me and my siblings: People are very different. So no one thing is perfect for everyone.

In fact, that's the point of several of Sonlight's articles.

But knowing this doesn't really answer the question of: Where does Sonlight fit? Who is the "Sonlight mom"? What does a Sonlight user look like? And then, how do we find these people and tell them about Sonlight so they can enjoy the experience?

My latest idea:

The Three Eggs

Here we have the "workbook", Sonlight, and the "do it yourself/free web" versions of homeschooling. All have their place, their strengths, their weaknesses. Which is why we don't all raise chickens or buy cage free eggs.

I'm tweaking with the script now and thinking about producing a trial video.

We'll see.

I would love to hear your thoughts on analogies you've used to explain the different education options out there with your friends.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

I just read an amazing post that made me tear up. Absolutely amazing. A very good reminder that we are not perfect, but there's a reason that's okay.

But I sensed a different theme today since Kristen has already covered grace and forgiveness so well.

Today's theme was businesses, corporations, and the "evil empires" of the homeschool curriculum world. As a member of one of these, and a firm believer in it--not to mention being raised by a semi-heretic--I feel a keen duty to respond. In fact, I already have (and I hope I did so well, winsomely, graciously, and with love and a touch of humor). But now I'd like to more proactively deal with the subject: Sonlight Curriculum as a homeschool provider, company, and business entity.

Sonlight's primary goal is to enable parents to raise their children in the homeschool environment. As my mom has said from the beginning: To keep parents "in the field" one more year. This started with missionaries overseas, but has since morphed to include homeschooling parents everywhere. The goal is to provide a resource that people can come to for materials if they do not have access to them where they are. In that sense, Sonlight is a service. And thus, customer service is a huge priority.

But aren't homeschool companies like Sonlight money-grubbing? I mean, can't I find the books cheaper elsewhere?

Perhaps.

But online book retailers are purely in it for the profit. Companies dedicated to your homeschooling experience do far more. They exist to help you with your success in educating your children, not just selling you a box of books. In fact, every homeschool curriculum provider is also giving you the time and effort it takes to compile and organize the materials, testing, adjusting, and working to make your experience the best that it can be.

At least, that's how it is here at Sonlight. I'm guessing it's true for the other guys as well.

So, yes, Sonlight Curriculum is a business. A business that makes it possible for you to teach your children "The way you wish you'd been taught. Guaranteed." And if it turns out not to be that way for you, please send it back.

Where else do you get a 100% guarantee like that?

You can't if you do it yourself.

Not that you shouldn't do it yourself if you want to. Rather, Sonlight provides a unique opportunity that we want to make as painless to try as possible. We want you to find the right match for you and your kids. If that's not Sonlight, that's fine. And with the guarantee, you can spend half a year figuring that out before you are in any real financial binds.

As a company we can do that for you.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

When I see something that is wrong it really bothers me. And so I am not always as gracious as I should be when dealing with situations.

That's a "growth area" for me.

And so, for me, this whole debate about how much intervention the government should make on homeschoolers has been a challenge. If I was still my Jr. High Self (very glad I've grown up a little since then), I'd be ranting and raving. Now I only do it when I get home and start talking about it with my friends and family <smile>.

But a post by Milton Gaither gave me a moment's pause. Not because it changes my opinions at all, but because it casts light on my thoughts in a slightly different way, which may help explain things a little better.

The post, and the linked article, is about American Muslims homeschooling.

How do you feel about that?

To be honest, there's a slight discomfort associated with that idea; similar to when a couple of "punks" (local teenagers) stop on the sidewalk in front of my house for a few minutes ['What are they up to?']. But like the kids in front of my house, the majority of Muslim homeschoolers are not doing it for any ignoble purpose. But this becomes more of an issue because there are many similarities to the Christian homeschooling community, as Mr. Gaither points out.

So, should the government step in to make sure there is no "unfettered" "anarchy" (or even terrorism) going on? I mean, we sure don't want any abuse to be happening any more than we would like someone to blow up a bus.

But this is where the argument falls apart.

Of course no one wants to allow parents to abuse their children! Of course we don't want terrorists to run rampant. No one is arguing that we should.

But is the government the right "person" for the job? Should we sit back and let "the government... protect us"?

No.

Because if we do that, we make way for what just about every single utopian-society-gone-bad movie or book out there warns us against: Totalitarian government.

It is bad to leave people to their own devices without any kind of outside influence, sure, but it is even worse to let a government (made up of people) do the same.

But what of our checks and balances? We have those in place so our government won't become totalitarian.

Yes, in theory. But if we let them start dictating things for us, we should not be surprised when we end up in a dictatorship.

I will leave you with a brilliant quote: "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is."

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father