I read and enjoyed Meg's article about the HSLDA and I thought it could start a nice discussion here on the forum.
I've been busy and it took me a while so for a refersher here is Meg's article
http://www.bellaonline.com/Articles/art17626.aspI went to there site and in order for me to receive services through them since I will be fighting the schools to continue paying for my sons special services I have to meet a few guidelines. Keep in mind I have a 2 year-old and I�m Buddhist.
Member Qualifications*Must be homeschooling or children not of compulsory school age What, I�m supposed to sit my 2 year-old down and stuff letters and numbers down his throat? That is one reason why I do not want him to go to the PS program, 2 and 3 is way to young to have to do worksheets.
Membership Agreement*To use a clearly organized program of education to instruct our children. For a 2 year old???
Because of HSLDA�s active involvement in preserving traditional marriage, persons involved in same-sex marriage, civil unions, or polygamy are not eligible for membership.I will never get married.
I will not support HSLDA in their fight to define marriage as only between a man and a women.
Without stating my beliefs either way I can say this, Gay marriage has NOTHING to do with homeschooling
To be honest HSLDA has no right to have any say in it.
On their �about us� page
4. Is HSLDA a Christian organization?Yes; however, HSLDA�s mission is to protect the freedom of all homeschoolers. Although our officers and directors are Christians, HSLDA membership is not limited to religiously based homeschoolers. We respect parents' rights to make the appropriate choices for the upbringing of their children. We have no agenda to make all public and home-based classrooms religious or conservative. Our primary objective is to preserve the fundamental right of parents to choose home education, free of over-zealous government officials and intrusive laws. We do put on a national conference annually and invite the board members of state organizations with whom we have worked for many years. Most, if not all, of those organizations have Christian leaders, but many serve all homeschoolers regardless of religious affiliation, as we do. Marriage is not in my beliefs but I would have to be married in order to qualify for membership.
It also means that if a gay couple wanted to HS their child(ren) they could not join HSLDA.
Despite that last line, if I don�t adhere to the beliefs of those Christian leaders then I do not qualify. My personal beliefs (not those that tie into Buddhism, but the ones I have formed through out my life from experience) Do not include having a two year old adhere to a curriculum.
15. Is HSLDA politically active?HSLDA's mission is to protect and advance the liberty of parents to educate their children at home. Membership dues will never be used for any other purpose.Except what they feel like using them for�
Again what the heck does the gay marriage issue have to do with homeschooling? What they are wanting is to have their beliefs made into laws and force those who do not believe as they do to follow there laws.