Mimi Rothschild - Home School Support & Home Education News

By Mimi Rothschild

I recently had a phone conversation that broke my heart. A mother that currently homeschools with The MorningStar Academy called my office to express her concern about her son’s sociology lesson for that day. She was very upset because her son was required to write a short essay regarding the theories of Karl Marx. While I was very grateful that she had taken the time to call, I was saddened that I was unable to quash her fears.

She explained to me that she had pulled her son out of public school because she didn’t want him learning “worldly knowledge.” While I applaud her decision to homeschool, I could not help but take issue with her stance. All of our courses are deeply rooted in Biblical teaching. However, we do not whitewash history.

I tried to explain to her that we as a school and as believers don’t necessarily agree with what Karl Marx had to say. However, to ignore his contributions, positive or negative, would be to gain a very limited understanding of modern sociology (and economics and politics for that matter). To teach a sociology class without a thorough discussion of Karl Marx would be like teaching a World War II course without discussing the politics and motivations of Adolph Hitler. Obviously, by learning about who Hitler was and how he thought, we do not condone mass genocide.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to know what “the other guy” believes. How can we expect to reach out to a lost world without a full knowledge of how that world thinks? I think it’s important that we use discernment in what we expose ourselves to. Children are impressionable, and we must remember to guard our hearts. But, I hardly think a one-day lesson on Marxist principles is going to transform a young learner into a card-carrying communist!

I feel as though in her efforts to protect her child from worldly thinking, she was effectually limiting his ability to discern. I think it’s important for kids to know what they believe and why. After all, they’re not going to be in the home forever. What happens when a young child who has never been exposed to other ways of thinking goes to college, where very intelligent and convincing atheist professors will no doubt attempt to undermine his faith?

As parents and teachers, we must equip our children with the ability to reason through concepts we don’t agree with in order to figure out why we shouldn’t agree with them. I would encourage you to discuss different political positions and even religions with your child. Let their curiosity run wild. Challenge them with questions like, “Why do you think people believe this?” and “What does the Bible have to say about this particular issue?” This will build a strong sense of discernment. With your guidance, your child will recognize why he has a Christian worldview. When the time comes for him to leave home, his faith will be unwavering.