Part of the series Mostly Honest… Isn’t True
Written by Léo Gaumont, published on 2014-04-07.
Some of our parents have expressed a desire to better be able to identify the tricks being used to convince them to believe things that may not actually be true. This series will provide applicable examples of such.
We often refrain from being honest because we do not wish to offend those who need to hear the truth. Opinions expressed in this blog are intended to offend those who would advance anything, other than the truth, in order to benefit themselves.
Bible Reference: 1 Tim 6:10
Hard to believe how many “traditional” home education providers either come from schools that offer public programming or that have come to know the direct or indirect personal benefits of government curriculum and accreditation. The old adage of “if you can’t beat them, join them” has certainly found its way to the home education community, such that, I believe, the majority of children being taught at home are now doing a variation of what is being taught at school. The reason? Money! Let’s call those influenced by money, “mercenaries”.
Mercenary parents shop around to find the board that will give them the most money. No consideration given to what the registering board will provide towards the home education program. Mercenaries end up “selling” their children to the highest bidder. Ethics need not be considered.
Mercenary parents are easily purchased with their own money. These folks will leave one board and go to another because the other will buy questionable “home education supplies” such as table saws, materials for the kitchen renovation project or noodle makers. They search for the provider that will give them the best “prize” for signing on.
Mercenary parents will do public programming, if it means more money. No consideration given to the fact that this programming is not only secular, but unbiblical, if not anti-Christian. No big deal to someone who values money more than anything, even children.
But, it is not only parents who can be mercenary. Home education providers and associations can also be motivated by the love of money.
Mercenary organization will say, do or promise whatever it takes to get people to sign with them. No lie is too big. No offering too outrageous. No promise too ridiculous. Just sign here, please!
Mercenary organization do not have an issue with reimbursing parents for questionable home education expenses. They know the government is not likely to find them out and God doesn’t matter. They are convinced they will be forgiven for their avarice when the time comes. After all, didn’t Jesus die for their sins? Just sign here!
Mercenary organizations will do whatever is required to stay alive and be in control. They will go where they have to to be the boss, even if it means compromising on nearly every thing they purported to be true, not that long ago. If we need to offer blended programs to survive, let’s offer blended programs. Parents want credits? Lets not confuse them with the facts. Give them their credits, even if it means not actually doing what is required. Ethics? What’s that? Just sign here!
Mercenary organizations will be whatever they have to be to get the client. If the parents want a Christian board, then they are a Christian board. Parents want a secular board, they can do that too. Hate government intrusion? So do they! Don’t like post-secondary institutions? Neither do they. Biblical? Of course! Simply “spiritual” and not religious? Why not? They can be all things to all men. Just sign here, please!
Mercenary organizations keep parents perpetually dependent on them by offering worldly wisdom. Advanced as a fan club, these organizations provide all sorts of things that pass as help, but do little to equip parents to take responsibility for the training of their children. Perpetual dependency means perpetual adherence to the group. Continue to sign here, please.
Ouch!