Home School Girl Being Sent to Public School for Sincere Religion

I read that yesterday and was amazed by the judgement. I understand that father having concerns with homeschool - most of them that don't understand are saying it's not good enough to keep up with standards. However, this girl excelled in her classes, has extra activities, even sports so what IS the real issue here with the father? The fact that a judge ruled that she attend public school to 'give her more exposure to choices' is pure BS. The fact that she has a Christian based curriculum shouldn't matter. If I where this mother sitting in a court room being told that MY child couldn't have a Christian education, I'd fire back that this is a homeschool issue. Then, I'd be enrolling her in a Christain school. Then let the dad complain about the high costs of tuition!!

I'm not a huge fan of religion. But this is ridiculous. This girl and her family should be allowed to be as sincere as they want towards their religion. There is no reason for her to be sent to school just because she truly believes in something.

I read the story too, thanks for the others links. on one side, he is worried that his daughter might get to be an introvert and might have problem dealing with different people, thus she might be treated differently or maltreated her by other individuals her age. one the otherside, why the heck would he do this, using her daughter to simply hurt his ex, that's unfair i think..hate will lead to more hate and pain

This whole situation is retarded. As mentioned from someone else, if he's doing it to hurt his ex, he's also hurting his child in the process. No one has the best interest of the children anymore...it's all about self...think about some of the school systems..like where where I live (DC Metro area).

I haven't heard that story yet, I am a missionary in Ukraine so I have been out of the loop for what my country (USA) is coming to. I personally homeschool my child and before I left (last January) they (the Government) were trying to stop parents from homeschooling their children all together. Like one of you said before, its against our constitutional rights! We have a freedom of Religion and a freedom of speech. What other freedoms are they going to try to take away? How about the freedom to vote? Are they going to try to change it so we can't even elect the leader of our Country. Although some would argue that our government is already like that. Great post, very informative. Thank you. Have a Blessed Day

Soin public school a child is exposed to more choices? And the teaching is completely unbiased and offers her own beliefs as an equal choice? For many Christians, I think maybe they homeschool their kids for the very reason that what they can be taught in school often goes against their own faith - for example evolution being taught as fact and creationism ridiculed etc As someone who grew up in a Christian family, I was constantly told I believed it because I was 'brainwashed'. Actually, I have my own mind, and as I was not closeto my parents at all, I would be more likely to go the opposite way. I was taught Christianity, but I also studied other religions to degree level, and I choseto remain a Christian because the=at was the conclusion I came to. I have known homeschooled kids who are not properly socialized and who are taught to be unaware of anything outside - but the majority I know are intelligent independent people who will choose their lives for themselves, with the foundation of what their parents have taught them. And surely that is what parents should do? Give a foundation, and also bring the child up to think for themselves. If she is up to educational standards, it sounds like the father does not share the same religion and is either prejudiced against it or is using it to get what he wants. I thought so many people of faith home schooled in America that it would be kind of a non issue by now.

Hello, this discussion about this news is indeed very distubing. This calls for us believers to be in heavy prayer regarding this 10 year old child who is caught in the middle of this whole court mess. I had the opportunity to read this article. And it deeply moves move me as a single parent. I too am going through court from a state that my daughter and I moved from about a year ago. I'm still working on getting my daughter back in my home, which quensidently, this child in this article has the same name as my daughter's middle name. However, I can imagine what the mother must be going through. After I read the article, there is 2 statements than stands out to me.1)This statement was writen in the court documents by Simmons,"The Primary residental parent had determined that it is in Amanda's best interest not to be exposed to secular influences that would undermine [the girl's]faith, schooling, social development, etc.,". What was brought to my attention was the phrase,"exposed to secular influences". I don't know how many people are aware that the Bible,God's Holy Word, says that secularism is wrong in God's eyes. Now I had to admit, I did not know at first what this word meant, until I read it in the Bible about it. So when I seen it in this statement, I understand why the little gir's mother would be concern in sending her to a public school.2)A statement by Elizabeth Donovan,she said the girl's home-schooling consists of "sitting in the corner of her mother's bedroom,"where she receives her lessons on a computer screen. The girl's Father states that he wanted his daughter to attend public schools because he believes home-schooling deprives her of socialization skills. One more other point that was made, Simmons mentioned that the little girl is interactive with her peers. I wish he would of used a different word, but anyway. I'm pointing out these statements, because I see where the court is overstepping their bounderies. I feel that the Father should of been more involved in his daughter's home-schooling, and worked it out with the mother by maybe suggesting another area in the home to have the lessons, and be involved in what his daughter is learning. Because it sounds like to me that he has some issues himself about home-schooling. Well, this is what I have for right now. Thank you, and please be in prayer for God intervene on this situation.

as i've read from the article the father of "amanda" was said to have appealed to court due to the lack of socialization in the child's learning environment or homeschool and the court sent a guardian to check on the matter and the reccomendation of the litem was in favor of the father so the court ruled under using the facts the litem provided. What I don't understand is why the court have to mention that she (amanda) was too sincere with regards to religion didn't the court just violated a person's right to practice her religion. Education was the subject and they considered religion as an addition to their decision which is just way below the belt. If the court finds homeschooling as a way of depriving a child's social development then they shouldn't have allowed homeschool in the first place right??? and besides socialization skills aren't just learned in the four corners of a classroom as if they're trying to say you can only learn how to socialize in a classrom.

This is a very upsetting news, why authorities should be bothered if the children will have to be taught about Religion?okay, so the father of the child is sour graping, but he has no right to demand or what because the child is brought up properly. I am always interested in home schooling because children I know who are products of home schooling are more behave, well-mannered, academically ahead and highly intellectual than children send to regular schools.

It sounds like the mother did not hire the right attorney in the beginning or they did not argue the right issue. The homeschool attorneys are having to appeal and make a different case. Number one, if she is the primary custodial parent, she should be able to educate her child any way she wants, as long as she doesn't ask the father to pay for it. and I don't think anyone can be too 'sincere'. on the contrary, she is probably a good example for others to follow! there are some christians who need to follow their faith more sincerely. However, there are some homeschool childred who are too isolated from society and end up in shock when they do go out in the world because it is so different from what they know. and they don't know how to handle it. I'll be praying for them. Our legal system definitely leaves a lot to be desired!!

I think the story is somewhat similar to the case of another 10 year-old girl in New York who has been prevented this time by school officials from distributing flyers about her faith with her classmates because there is potential of divisiveness, litter and that the school is endorsing a religious message. The case of the girl reached the court but her family was very thankful because the court ruled in their favor.

Many events are so upsetting to us because we people are becoming crazy. Nowadays, good people is trying to be good. Bad people like these school authorities acted like grrrr...

Aren't we free to choose what we would like to do with our lives? Is the little girl to obsessed with her religion that she needs to be sent to school? Freewill is what we have us humans. As long as you don't do bad things against people, as long as you follow the rules set forth by your country of residence, you are on the right track. Why would other people curtail you to do things you want if you're not degrading someone's life? Religion cannot save us, that is a given fact. But.. is being sincere about religion against the law? This doesn't make sense. Imagine, local authorities are the one pushing the courts. Are they out of their mind? Poor little girl and her family, I didn't know that for some, teaching a child morals is too sincere.

There are benefits and drawbacks of both home schooling and the public school system. it is our right as parents and educational coaches to do what is best to educate our children. I don't believe the courts should have the final say on whether a child should have to attend public school or be home schooled. Where does education and the court system draw the line?

The establishment clause in the constitution, the part in the first amendment that mentions religion, was designed to protect religion from government, not to protect government from religion. This constitutes a clear violation of that, pure and simple. "congress shall make no law estabishing religion, or prohibitting the free exercize ther of...." It's pretty clear in it's language and intent. And what gets me, is this is in MY state, my beautifull libertarian state. This violates not only the U.S. constitution, it violates article 5 of our state constitution: " Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and reason; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his peers on, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession, sentiments, or persuasion; provided he doth not disturb the public peace or disturb others in their religious worship. Now, in the interest of fairness, the attorny for the girls father stated "My client is concerned because of the isolation that is borne of that and the lack of exposure to the broader culture at large," Donovan said. "People of different heritage, people of different culture, tolerance, group problem-solving, making friends, losing friends — all of the things that come with a public school education." here is a link to the story: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,545340,00.html