On Secular EducationR.L. Dabney (1820-1898) -- preacher, theologian, soldier, poet, and essayist -- strongly condemned the public education of his day. He saw with prophetic insight that State education could not help but be secularized since it was designed to please the people. As a result, he argued, public education would begin to teach its students not truth, but the values and virtues which were palatable to society at large. Although a century has passed since Dabney first wrote this essay, the questions that parents face haven't changed. Secular education still seeks to indoctrinate our children under the pretence of objectivity, and truth is still sacrificed for the sake of social "unity." We must acknowledge with Dabney that proper education is about heart and soul, not just propositions and facts. Only then will our children learn truth and be equipped to live out our faith. |
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American answer anti-Christian training argument atheist basis Bible Catechism Catholicism child Chris Christian citizens civil authority Connecticut conscience conscientiously believe consistent creeds demagogue despotism dexterity duty educa education of youth equal ethical evangelical example existence faculty Family father God’s godless parent human inculcation jurisprudence knowledge Knox larger number liberty love of right magistrate man's Massachusetts mental culture minister mischief money to teach Moslems nations natural theism neglect non-Christian training nonsectarian nurture one-sided pagan parental function parental sphere people’s money pervert philanthropists primary education private schools created proper Protestantism Protestants public education public school teacher pupil question R.L. Dabney reason religion religious responsibility result Rome Scotland Scriptures secular education secular justice secular learning seek seen sense of mankind social soul spiritual culture State's intervention State’s right theological theory tians tion train the intellect true trust virtue visible Church Webster young citizen