Are waldorf schools ok for a Catholic

[franklinstower]

my daughter is 9 years old and going into the 5th grade. recently we have been looking into a new school for her and stumbled upon Waldorf schools developed by Rudolf Steiner. we went and did a tour and everything about the place seemed better than the school she is in.

anyway i got into looking as Steriners beliefs (that they say do not make their way into the classroom philosophically) and they are pretty incredible and not in a good way.

is anyone here versed in those schools and approaches that can educate me and enlighten me on wether or not they would be good for a Catholic girl to attend?

i know this is not a lot of info but im really looking for the educated Catholic who already knows about this and can share some knowledge with me.

 

[Inbonum]

Anthroposophy is not compatible with teaching of Catholic Church, as well as theosophy.

You are risking your child’s soul if she would go there, you cannot expect that school won’t indoctrinate your child in their way of thinking and acting, and occultistic philosophy is dangerous.

Spiritualism, theosophy, anthroposophy and New Age all see reincarnation as participation in cosmic evolution

The metaphysical component comes from New Age’s esoteric and theosophical roots, and is basically a new form of gnosis. Access to the divine is by knowledge of hidden mysteries, in each individual’s search for “the real behind what is only apparent, the origin beyond time, the transcendent beyond what is merely fleeting, the primordial tradition behind merely ephemeral tradition, the other behind the self, the cosmic divinity beyond the incarnate individual”. Esoteric spirituality “is an investigation of Being beyond the separateness of beings, a sort of nostalgia for lost unity”

However, it is well to be aware that the doctrine of the Christ spread in New Age circles is inspired by the theosophical teachings of Helena Blavatsky, Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy and Alice Bailey’s “Arcane School”. Their contemporary followers are not only promoting their ideas now, but also working with New Agers to develop a completely new understanding of reality, a doctrine known by some observers as “New Age truth"

Anthroposophy: a theosophical doctrine originally popularised by the Croat Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), who left the Theosophical Society after being leader of its German branch from 1902 to 1913. It is an esoteric doctrine meant to initiate people into “objective knowledge” in the spiritual-divine sphere. Steiner believed it had helped him explore the laws of evolution of the cosmos and of humanity. Every physical being has a corresponding spiritual being, and earthly life is influenced by astral energies and spiritual essences. The Akasha Chronicle is said to be a “cosmic memory” available to initiates.

19th century esotericism is seen by some as completely secularised. Alchemy, magic, astrology and other elements of traditional esotericism had been thoroughly integrated with aspects of modern culture, including the search for causal laws, evolutionism, psychology and the study of religions. It reached its clearest form in the ideas of Helena Blavatsky, a Russian medium who founded the Theosophical Society with Henry Olcott in New York in 1875. The Society aimed to fuse elements of Eastern and Western traditions in an evolutionary type of spiritualism. It had three main aims:
1. “To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, caste or colour.
2. “To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
3. “To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.

Source Jesus Christ The Bearer of The Water of Life

You can conclude from these things that Catholics should run away from it.

 

[Inbonum]

And as far as I know those schools are expensive. I wouldn’t give a cent to occultism inspired school, no matter how good it sounds.

I am Croat and we have those schools here (peole here say it is overrated in matter of education and not worth of that money - if we only look at educational side), Rudolf Steiner was from Croatia. In place od his birth is made “Temple of Life” well-being and spa center, very strange place. It can look attractive but what do you actually get for that money and service?

Do not accept arguments “for the benefit of children”, “for development”, “for growth with nature”, “for spiritual growth”… These are their traps to get involved, and of course because of money.
Try to find some other school, Catholic school maybe, or public school?

 

[HomeschoolDad]

I wouldn’t do it, that’s all I can say. Even if Steiner’s more esoteric beliefs stay out of the curriculum, still, it all seems a little cult-ish to me. I don’t doubt that they do a good job imparting education, but a lot of schools do that.

We find homeschooling best, as do many, many parents. With all of the resources that are available free of charge, if there can be a dedicated, halfway intelligent parent at home with the child, day school is really not absolutely necessary for effective education. And to address the obvious question, there are many opportunities for social interaction, that do not depend on the child being in school all day.

I’ve got enough books and other educational media in our home, and was blessed to get a superior liberal arts education, that I could teach my son without ever purchasing a single book, but the state education department has an expectation of grade-level textbooks (of the parent’s choice), so we get these to serve as the “spine” for each subject, and then build around them. For some subjects, we use Common Core, for some subjects we don’t.

 

[EmilyAlexandra]

I know someone who trained to teach in Steiner schools in the UK. She dropped out when she finally read some of Steiner’s works on racial pseudoscience in the original German (they had not been made available to students in English translation).

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Rudolf_Steiner

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Waldorf_education

I don’t know what the specifically Catholic view would be, but I can’t see a good reason to choose one of these schools.

 

[tuffsmurf]

What if homeschooling is banned in your area and there aren’t any catholic schools nearby?

 

[Inbonum]

@tuffsmurf Then you find best of public schools. You cannot find perfect school but you can choose between good and evil, between better and worse.

 

[tuffsmurf]

Some public schools are really, really bad. I would prefer a ”multi-denominational” christian school or perhabs a montessori school.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

What if homeschooling is banned in your area and there aren’t any catholic schools nearby?

As far as I know, there is no place in the United States where parents aren’t allowed to homeschool. Some states make it very easy, while other states impose certain procedures that many find foolish. Our state is somewhere in the middle. Are you in the United States?

If you cannot homeschool or find a Catholic school, then you would have to attend public school and seek to form your children according to Catholic principles, or find a private school that is not hostile to Catholicism. Many non-Catholic Christian schools are not a good environment for a Catholic. Our nearby highly-regarded Christian school makes it virtually impossible (if not absolutely impossible) for Catholics to attend, in that one must sign a statement of faith that is incompatible with Catholicism. On the other hand, unless it would be a very traditional non-diocesan independent Catholic school, Catholic schools bend over backwards to make non-Catholics and non-Christians feel welcome.

 

[tuffsmurf]

No, I’m in Europe. This is the situation in Europe: https://i.redd.it/qen1jluybku11.png

Schools demanding students and/or parents to make statements of faith is illegal in many countries, mine included. In some countries, religious schools of any kind is banned.

What I’m trying to say is that it is very easy to make judgements when you live in a place with many options such as homeschooling, catholic school, etc. The reality for many people is that as parents their possibility to chose is very, very limited.

 

[Inbonum]

Even here in Europe in places where we don’t have possibility for homeschooling we have choices. In areas where live small number of people there are mostly public schools or those who only work when there is enough pupils. Private aren’t affordable (villages or small towns). In bigger towns there are many schools from public to private, there also catholic, orthodox, muslim and other schools. We have international and american elementary schools.
We actually don’t have a reason to have homeschooling in Croatia and Balkans.
For students who are ill or live on islands there is online school where pupil is directly involved in class with other children.

Even if in some places, where population is small, exist religious schools there are also public schools, there is choice except when minorities make so small percentage that they cannot afford teacher just for one student and they mostly have mixed teaching if there is enough pupils (two teachers for language or religion class). I am refering to mine country and other countries around us.

Schools demanding students and/or parents to make statements of faith is illegal in many countries, mine included. In some countries, religious schools of any kind is banned.

In which country do you live?

 

[Jen7]

Often parents choose Waldorf because they like the slower pace, child-centric environment, wonder, etc. Montessori education offers these same themes without the new age undertones & for the same (high) price. If I could afford to do so, all my kids would be in Montessori classes.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

What I’m trying to say is that it is very easy to make judgements when you live in a place with many options such as homeschooling, catholic school, etc. The reality for many people is that as parents their possibility to chose is very, very limited.

I make no judgments. Everybody has to do what is possible for them, in their own circumstances, when it comes to schooling options. Many people who would like to homeschool, cannot do so, due to obligations in their own lives (work, care of others, etc.).

Schools demanding students and/or parents to make statements of faith is illegal in many countries, mine included. In some countries, religious schools of any kind is banned.

In the United States, private schools, not reliant upon the government for support, may make any restrictions they like, as long as they do not run counter to public policy (racial discrimination, national origin, etc.). If you are given a statement of faith, you can either sign it, or not sign it. If you do not sign it, you cannot go to that school. Catholic schools ordinarily do not have this, however, our school did have a diocesan policy that all teachers, parents, and students were not permitted to speak or act contrary to Catholic faith or morality when participating in school or its functions. In other words, believe as you see fit, but don’t hinder or damage our faith mission.

In some countries, religious schools of any kind is banned.

I realize that, and that is very bad. There are some Americans who dislike the concept of faith-based education, and think that all pupils should go to the same public schools, leaving religious instruction to the home, family, and church on Sunday. That’s a very Masonic mentality.

 

[tuffsmurf]

Sweden. Private schools is free but can make no requirements regarding which students they accept.

I don’t think it is right to say that you don’t have a reason to homeschool in the Balkans. You may see no reason, but other parents might do.

 

[aroosi]

In Italy Waldorfs schools were famous only because Berlusconi sent his kids there.
From what I understood the method used is very similar to Montessori.

 

[tuffsmurf]

Nah, not really. Waldorf teachers and montessori teachers are usually ”enemies”. It’s two different ways of learning.

 

[aroosi]

I found a nice summary comparing Montessori and Waldorf 1/2

Main similarities between Montessori and Waldorf schools​

• Flexible curriculum: Neither Montessori nor Waldorf schools have a made-to-order curriculum. Students can choose their own activities and tasks, with guidance from the teacher. They can also mostly work at their own pace.
• Decentralized learning: Montessori and Waldorf teachers rarely give whole-class lectures. Students are free to move around the classroom, work independently or in groups, and pursue their interests.
• Holistic education: Both Montessori and Waldorf schools aim to educate the whole child. In addition to core academics, they place lots of emphasis on learning practical skills, developing the right character traits, and learning important values.
• Concrete learning: Both the Montessori and Waldorf approach emphasize concrete learning. Children work with lots of hands-on material and learn important practical skills. Montessori is especially focused on concrete learning, at least in preschool and elementary school.
• Limited technology: Montessori and Waldorf schools both restrict the use of modern-day technology. Waldorf schools may be more strict about this, though.

 

[aroosi]

2/2

Main differences between Montessori and Waldorf schools​

• Academics: Montessori schools focus more on core academics, at least in preschool. Waldorf schools normally don’t introduce core academics, at least formally, until grade 1 or 2.
• Work and play: Montessori schools favour work over play. Even in preschool, Montessori educators tend to discourage pretend play (or at least not encourage it). Waldorf schools, meanwhile, make pretend play and imaginative activities a major focus, especially in preschool.
• The arts: Waldorf schools infuse art and music throughout the curriculum. Music, drama, dancing, the visual arts, and other artistic media, are woven into many lessons. Many Montessori schools, on the other hand, focus less on the arts, music, and imaginative activities.
• Nature: Both Waldorf and Montessori schools educate kids about nature and have outdoor activities. Waldorf schools focus more on this, though.

 

[Inbonum]

I don’t think it is right to say that you don’t have a reason to homeschool in the Balkans. You may see no reason, but other parents might do.

I really don’t see a reason. Why do you think we have?
I never met a person in my life who would mention that they want it, nor Catholics nor atheists. And I lived in many places across the country and abroad.
Our public schools are very good in general for children of all religions or worldview.

I’ve read one research (I will have to find it to cite it correctly) in which parents of UK say that one of main reasons they decide to homeschool their kids is gender ideology which is very influent in schools. There are stories of parents whose children came from school and wanted to change their sex. Children in lower grades of primary school!!! Well that is good reason for homeschooling.

We don’t have it that much present in schools, it is almost not present at all.

 

[Inbonum]

@franklinstower
Here is good article about should Catholic children go to Waldorfs schools?
Written by Father Josip Blazevic, expert on New Age and Eastern religions.
If you use Google Chrome chose ‘Translate’ to read it in English. Waldorf’s pedagogy

Some parts

The media have accused parents whose children attend the Waldorf School in Zagreb of abusing their children by some Waldorf teachers and of noticing their children drawing swastikas, learning controversial content about Jesus Christ, walking with a lighted candle every morning, and greeting the sun. in the morning and before meals, that the curtains on the schools were drawn and … - not to mention further.

-Obviously said by some Christian parents who didn’t know truth about Waldorf school

The Waldorf School, therefore, was founded in 1919 by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian eclectic, founder of anthroposophy. After giving a series of lectures in the workshops of the cigarette factory “Waldorf - Astoria”, the owner of the factory asked him to establish and run a school for the children of workers of the same factory. The Waldorf school has its own program. Subjects are taught one after the other, and the class teacher visits each family. The school takes care of the entire upbringing of children in Steiner’s spirit, in his philosophy and worldview. It is based on “revelations” that Steiner received from celestial “entities,” although proponents of the Waldorf School deny it. That this is so we will see if we just peek into their booklet: S. Leber-H. von Küelgen, Waldorf School. Does it nurture a certain view of the world? (published by the Waldorf Pedagogy Library, Zagreb, 1995). Already in the introduction to the booklet it is clearly pointed out that Steiner’s “insight into the human being” is deeply Christian, but “supra-confessional Christian.” The booklet states that Christianity understood in this way does not exclude any denomination, it is “neutral”, while it sees “pre-Christian spiritual aspirations” (in other words, ancient mysteries or paganism) as a historical precursor and precondition of Christianity. Moreover, “these pre-Christian spiritual aspirations find in Christianity not their end but their fulfillment” (p. I).
This has just been the realization of the aforementioned theosophical manifesto. Thanks to such an eclectic notion, which Waldorf pedagogy spreads in the name of “tolerance,” Christianity and paganism found themselves in the same basket. Given the worldview, it says in the same booklet, it is monistic, according to which “The multitude is One” (p. 14). This is an Eastern worldview that excludes the Christian notion of God’s transcendence.

• Anthroposophy as the “exact science of the supersensible” is in fact a pseudoscience!
• Anthroposophy as a religion with a Christian sign signifies pseudo-Christianity!
• The Christ of Rudolf Steiner has nothing to do with the person of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church.
• Waldorf pedagogy denotes a system of child rearing based on Steiner’s anthropology which is as irreconcilable with Christian theology as with modern science.