I've met plenty of people with really kooky ideas. Unfortunately, as I've grown older, I've noticed that I've held some odd-ball ideas too. I've had my fair share of standing on the metaphorical picket line, waving a banner of some half-baked idea like a half-baked college kid protesting some evil or restriction of freedom.

My Hair Was Curlier Back Then

Where was I? Got lost in my metaphor there.

Ah yes.

If I'm learning anything since those early days of promoting ideas it is this: Caution/Moderation. I have come to see how fallible I am, and despite still being incredibly passionate, I find I check myself more than I used to. I'm more cautious about how I present my ideas. I'm a little more humble.

A little.

I still have a long way to go. A long way.

Two posts today got me thinking about this. First, Dana Hanley at Principled Discovery has a very thought provoking post about homeschool convention culture. And then Andrea of True Moments of Family has a post about emotionalism in Christianity. Both of these posts deal with a kind of "group think" or "group culture" that can lead to potentially damaging ideas.

Perhaps that's what the cheerful people at Despair, Inc. were thinking about when they developed their Meetings poster.

And so, in a group or not, we should carefully consider the things we say and the ideas we support. We must use reason when we make decisions and claims. On the other hand, if we swing too far toward reason, we may end up like Niki in iRobot: With a completely logical, but very destructive idea.

Thus, as I think about Christianity and homeschooling, I hope to approach the topics with enough reason so as not to be driven by emotion, but enough emotion to not be overrun by reason. And maybe that's what it means to have a level head: To be in balance. Not in a Zen kind of way, but in the sense that I'm not flopped too far to one side or another.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

My name is Luke Holzmann. I am the second oldest of four children of John and Sarita Holzmann who founded Sonlight Curriculum.

Photo from My Wedding July 10, 2005:
Justin, Jonelle, Me, Amy, John, Sarita

I was homeschooled with Sonlight as it was developed from 1st through 8th grade. I then attended a public high school and graduated Valedictorian with somewhere around 19-21 Letters (swimming, cross country, academics, band, track, forensics...).

Swimming

I then attended Biola University with academic and swimming scholarships. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Mass Comm department with a degree in Motion Picture Production and the "Best Independent Filmmaker" award.

Video Camera

I moved to Englewood, married my college sweetheart Brittany, started my own production company, and produced videos for Sonlight (including MathTacular). I also run a free film school over at Production-Now.com.

Wedding

Brittany and I were in the process of adopting children, and so I needed something with slightly more reliability and benefits than working as an Independent Contractor could afford. Thus, I applied for the role of "Media Relations Specialist" at Sonlight Curriculum where I now blog regularly, produce videos, and update the website among other things.

While waiting on the adoption, we took in two girls for many months. After they went back to their parents, and with the start of 2011, our adoption journey ended. In 2013 we hosted my cousin from Germany for a year.

On Saturday's, my wife and I host Movie Night. High school and college-aged kids -- "our kids" -- show up and stay until about midnight. Several will stop by throughout the week to hang out as well. It's amazing.

In February of 2018, we were blessed with a daughter. She's a little young, but we're planning to use Sonlight when the time comes.

Daughter

We've covered the "Filmmaker" and "Surrogate Father/Empty Nester/Guardian/Pseudo-Dad" bits of my signature line, so what about the "Writer" part?

Well, I am blog here. I'm also a published author. And I'm working on a completely different book with my best friend from college. I also write poetry for fun and novels for NaNoWriMo.

Me and Jason Writing

So, there it is: Luke Holzmann's biography in about 500 words.

Please feel free to ask about whatever else if you're interested in learning more.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Father

My family has lunch together after church on Sundays. As is typical, we talk.

Loudly.

No one has complained recently. <smile>

We got to talking about the fiasco of the latest iPhone launch. Since one of my friends works at an Apple store, I got to hear about the long lines, the issues, and the disturbed customers without having to wait in line for 9 hours for the chance to buy a really expensive phone plan, or deal with the issues of false advertising. Even so, they sold a million of the puppies.

A million.

And my friend is very happy working at Apple because they are dedicated to making people's lives better through their products. To which my sister said, "I think that's just how people sleep at night." See, while in school she did a little piece for Nestle in which her contact fully believed that the pre-packaged cookie dough was going to help families bond together.

My sister was less than convinced. And so she left the advertising world to start working for Sonlight, "Because Sonlight really does make people's lives better."

And, like most other companies out there, that is the goal.

But does Sonlight accomplish this? If you use Sonlight's curriculum, will your family bond, enjoy reading, develop a life-long love of learning, and basically improve your life?

Yes.

That was my family's experience. And that certainly sounds like what's happening for many other people as well.

But don't take my word for it. After working out the kinks, I am pleased to announce that I have been able to add at "Sonlight Moments" widget to my blog, which pulls from that forum where people post about how Sonlight has enriched their lives.

[NB: This public version of the forum is still really new, so please go add your "Sonlight Moments" too!]

What's that? You want to add this widget to your blog as well?

Well, I'm working on getting that for you, but I'm stuck at the moment. So I need more time to figure this out. Once I do, I'll post it on the blog.

For the time being, if you really want the code now, let me know and I'll be happy to email it to you in a file (lholzmann[at]sonlight[dot]com).

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

First: An apology.

It seems as though my enthusiasm for Sonlight's inclusion in iTunes has smacked into the harsh reality of internet mysteries. And so, for the time being, it is impossible to download the Sonlight podcast episodes in iTunes.

We think it may be a Firewall issue, and I have alerted some of the best minds to the problem. But, because they are the best, they also happen to be busy. So, this may take awhile.

Sorry.

Until then, please note that you can still listen to (and download) the files from sonlight.com/podcasts.html.

Second: An update.

The fires have not died down since Wednesday on the debate over a "hostage cracker"*.

Again, I call for a level-headed, even-handed approach to this topic. And so, let us start from the top:

Bill Donohue has pointed out that, since Paul Zachary Myers (PZ) posted his pledge to desecrate the Eucharist on a blog connected to the University of Minnesota Morris, his actions should fall under the code of the school; most notably, the requirement that students and faculty be "respectful, fair and civil". And, if you read PZ's comments, he is anything but that.

On the other hand, to then go on to say that "It is hard to think of anything more vile than to intentionally desecrate the Body of Christ" goes too far for me. In fact, in PZ's initial rant on the topic (as I briefly quoted on Wednesday), he points out one thing that seems to be at least on par (namely, the vicious murders of homosexuals).

But beyond this, PZ doesn't accept the fact that it is the Body of Christ (it's just a cracker to him). And so Bill's comment is aimed at stirring up the already angry Catholic crowd.

That is a misstep, I think.

[NB: Again, the following links go to the "scientific community" where rage, hatred, and profanity abound.]

The other side has come back with claims that "The Christians are trying to Shut Down Pharyngula".

Not totally true. But...

PZ claims, and I have no problems believing him, that

I have received 39 pieces of personal hate mail.... Four of them have included death threats.... Thirty-four of them have demanded that I be fired. Twenty-five of them have told me to desecrate a copy of the Koran, instead.... I even have one email that says I should be fired, that the author would like to kill me, and that I only criticize because Catholics are so gentle and kind.

This is certainly not a "level-headed, even-handed approach to this topic". Of course, neither are the comments following his post (most of which would not be post-able on a site that was not rated for "inappropriate content").

And so, since I think we should be active members in our community, I encourage you to get involved if you feel so inclined. Just like PZ, I encourage you to share your thoughts with the University's President: Robert H. Bruininks (bruin001[at]umn[dot]edu) or by mail (if PZ's information is correct):

202 Morrill Hall
100 Church Street S.E.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455

But as you sit down to write, please keep these three things in mind:

1. Writing in rage will not help [James 1:20]. It tends to diminish your ability to articulate clearly, accurately, and lovingly--all of which we need more of from the Christian community [2 Corinthians 6:3-10].

2. Please stick to facts and truths, not sensationalism or wild (or religious) claims. Telling those who do not hold to Transubstantiation that this is an offense against Christ Himself won't really do much except, perhaps, bring insults back on you. Rather, point out the disrespectful actions and ask for an appropriate response from the University.

3. Use your real name and contact information. Be accountable for what you say.

Here's a chance for you to use your fantastic education, your experience with diffusing escalating situations at home, and your focused worldview to demonstrate a winsome and effective response in the midst of fire and brimstone.

~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father

*I would like to point out that this is a prime example of the propensity for the media to make something sound far worse than it actually is. If I recall, no one said they were holding anything "hostage". Ah, the unbiased, non-sensationalistic nature of the "just the facts" news.

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