For Protestants, would you want your child to learn about monastic life in the 800s?

[dogjoywalk2]

As an almost former Protestant I wouldn’t think most Protestants would have a problem with it. Maybe you could talk about other kinds of Monasticism as well or about figures in the Bible who are pro-types (John the Baptist, Elijah, minor prophets), so as not to be too Catholic?

 

[ibkc]

The OP is interested in how other homeschoolers would view this. As a fundamentalist, which many many homeschoolers are, I would think my opinion would be germaine.

I have to wonder, though. If you demand to know if monasticism, even when taught in a purely historical context and not in such a way that it encourages the kids to consider it for themselves, is scriptural, do you demand to ensure that every other piece of history or cultural taught to your kids is scriptural too?

 

[Rightlydivide]

In a way, I agree with Rightly on this (man, those words look strange ). The question was specifically to Protestants.

Anyway, my answer to that would be that to ignore history, even that which is related to faith, is to create ignorance.

I agree. I was asked how homeschoolers would view it and I offered a homeschool perspective.
I have never argued against studying history. Several Catholics who have debated me know that while they may disagree with my interpretations, I know my history, secular and otherwise.

 

[Rightlydivide]

I have to wonder, though. If you demand to know if monasticism, even when taught in a purely historical context and not in such a way that it encourages the kids to consider it for themselves, is scriptural, do you demand to ensure that every other piece of history or cultural taught to your kids is scriptural too?

I offered a homeschoolers perspective and I believe it is a question she would have had to answer had she choses to proceed. What is the problem with actually answering a question?

 

[KarenNC]

I have to wonder, though. If you demand to know if monasticism, even when taught in a purely historical context and not in such a way that it encourages the kids to consider it for themselves, is scriptural, do you demand to ensure that every other piece of history or cultural taught to your kids is scriptural too?

There is a large segment of the homeschooling population that does, yes. Witness the number of things like math drill sheets that have Scripture references on every page that are marketed to the homeschool community (and are quite popular).
calculadder.com/intro/view_calc.htm

A great many homeschool support groups and co-ops, at least in our area, require signing a very literalist statement of Christian faith (one that I have been told even Catholics often find difficult to sign) as a requirement to join. I know that one local group has a science fair that feeds into the same regional science fairs, etc that the public schools do. The difference is that one must show a Biblical application/support for one’s science fair project and that Biblical application/support counts for 10% of one’s score.

Makes things a bit more complicated for those of us who are either not Christian or not the particular type of Christian sought by these groups to find support in our area. The other extreme seems to be secular groups where one is asked never to discuss religion at all. We have been lucky to find an actually inclusive group, where all of us, including Christians, can come together about education rather than other issues.

 

[ralphinal]

I agree. I was asked how homeschoolers would view it and I offered a homeschool perspective.
I have never argued against studying history. Several Catholics who have debated me know that while they may disagree with my interpretations, I know my history, secular and otherwise.

So, if it was from a historical/what was given to us perspective, you would have no issue. If it was from a theological perspective you would?

As an aside, how would you feel about teaching classical genetics to homeschoolers?

 

[Rightlydivide]

So, if it was from a historical/what was given to us perspective, you would have no issue. If it was from a theological perspective you would?

As an aside, how would you feel about teaching classical genetics to homeschoolers?

I was offering a question that I think most homeschoolers would offer. It is a perspective that I understand fairly well.
I am not a homeschooler.

To answer your question though, I am rather busy. But if I had time to do such, I would think I would have to include classical genetics in order to provide background for molecular biology.
But like I said, I am busy and must decline the offer…

 

[MariaG]

I think maybe I’ll just save the lesson for my Catholic co-op.

In fact, it might be kind of cool to do a whole six week class just on monastic life. We could even visit a couple of monasteries. That would be fun!!

For my nondenom. co-op, maybe I’ll just stick to secular themes.

I was just excited about my idea. But, the some of the families in my co-op are somewhat prejudice about Catholicism and I am finding that the Catholic families tend to lay low.

It does sound like a very cool unit study. But I agree that you should do it with your Catholic co op and not the non-denominational one.

However, I would encourage you to find Christian subjects/projects instead of just sticking with secular ideas. You need to show them that Catholics are Christians and you will never do it by sticking to just secualar themes.

But you may want to run the ideas by the forums or your friend first to get an idea of how the idea will be recieved. You also need to have solid scripture for your presentations. And remember, you can do some things that are very “Catholic” as long as you take out Catholic terminology.

Have fun!

 

[leonie]

I offered a homeschoolers perspective and I believe it is a question she would have had to answer had she choses to proceed. What is the problem with actually answering a question?

Well, I’m grateful. Thanks!

 

[leonie]

I should have clarified though, that my six week co-op class is just a survey of fine arts combining music, art and food around a central theme. So, the one class themed on monastic life in the 800s would just present Gregorian chant for music, Illumination for art, and probably bread and soup for food. It wouldn’t really delve too much into history.

I am concerned that Gregorian chant might seem too Catholic for some of the members, but I thought they would enjoy the idea that Ancient Hebrews very possible sang their psalms in a similiar manner. This I learned from a talk from Fr. Fessio I heard on audio tape.

I love Icons, but I realize that some Protestants don’t like the use of Images for meditation, so I was going to stick to Illumination. I thought that the Protestants would esp. like this because it would be very Bible oriented.

Food I don’t think anyone would consider controversal.

I’m intrigued by a thread on Monastic life. Wouldn’t that be fun? I think it would go over great on the NonCatholic forum. I think in general, the posters here are very friendly.

I just have a layman’s knowledge. I hope someone will feel inspired to start a thread.

 

[Syele]

I have learned that Homeschooling Co-ops vary greatly. One I was around didn’t welcome me because I was a single mother. Another was very welcoming, but I didn’t fit in cause I was “eclectic” and they kept saying stuff about how I couldn’t possibly cover everything properly without a boxed set! Tho one I’m in now is mmore laid back, they think it’s cool that I can HS and be a single mom and they don’t care what curriculum (or lack of) I use at home. Finally we fit in somewhere!

The point of telling you all this is that We can’t know the makeup of your co-op. If they are all extremely anti-Catholic… they will probably resist you teaching a class on this topic. Your friend who’s been there a long time will have a clearer idea of how people will respond. If they are just Protestant and not Anti-Catholic, they may get excited about the class. Is there anything stopping you from just offering it? If no one signs up… you’d have your answer.

 

[ralphinal]

I was offering a question that I think most homeschoolers would offer. It is a perspective that I understand fairly well.
I am not a homeschooler.

To answer your question though, I am rather busy. But if I had time to do such, I would think I would have to include classical genetics in order to provide background for molecular biology.
But like I said, I am busy and must decline the offer…

Oh my. I see how you read that. It was not an invatation. My poor grammer.

As you know, the beginnings of genetics were in a monestary. Much of our science grew in the Church. For example, Albert the Great did studies on the connection between latitude and climate. This is one reason that it should be taught.