by C.C. Ferguson

Created on: May 16, 2008   Last Updated: September 29, 2010

First, let me state that I consider myself a Christian. I am not here to bash Christianity in any way. But a huge (and difficult) part of my Christian belief is that I try not to judge others.

Also, I support homeschooling. I am saddened and disgusted by Mr. Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program. It's more like "No Child Left Alone!" American education, in its current state, is churning out great employees. NOT great thinkers, creatives, problem-solvers, care-givers, even passionate educators. Just clock-punching worker bees... My child is more than a standardized test score! I think education should be experiential, not rote memorization. If homeschooling is the best way to allow your children learn and discover, then do it!

But, I believe when you keep your children from "mixing" with others who believe differently than you do, you are doing them a great disservice, both as Christians and as citizens of one fantastic shared world!

If spirituality is a journey, let them go on the journey! My daughter would not get the same experience visiting the Eiffel Tower, as she would by just looking at a picture or hearing a description of it. True learning comes from experiences. Faith is much deeper when it loses the dogma and takes on personal meaning through experience.

I realize it's a scary, scary world, and it's hard putting my kids in a place where morals and values don't always match what I hope for my family. But I have decided to let my kids take the same journey I did. They will encounter people who worship by faiths under different names, but share a great deal of core values. They will also encounter Christians, with whom we have very little values in common. But they need to make these encounters and learn these lessons on their own.

Yes, by all means, be there to clarify some of the confusing messages your child will receive. But let them learn the lesson. I hope my kids will have a faith as strong as mine, but I don't want them to believe because I tell them to. I want them to believe because they have been surprised by Grace and learned the lessons it has offered them.

Christ did not go in a room, shut the door, and refuse to go out because people on the outside didn't believe like he did. If I am to call myself a Christian, shouldn't I try to live as he did? Evangelism, to me, is living as an example, not a judge. And sometimes, just an example to my kids. But I try not to say anything about another person's faith - whatever that faith looks like- that I wouldn't want said about mine.

Grace doesn't come where WE EXPECT it. It comes where we NEED it. We don't know where we need it. Go out and live in the world! Learn about your neighbors! If, as a Christian, you believe God has a plan for everyone, then prove it! Let God teach your children what they need to learn. It isn't going to happen if you shut out the world.

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