The Core Principle of American Education
46The following is a quote from a leading proponent of American
Education. "Let our pupil be taught that he does not belong
to himself, but that he is public property."
Does this sound like an attractive proposition to you? Do you
agree with it?
With all the problems besetting public education in America,
does this sound like the type of mindset or condition that you
would desire to see promoted in public schools? Let me know
what you think.
Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot to reveal the source of this statement!
How silly of me!
The quote came from Benjamin Rush. That's right! A Founding
Father of the United States and Signer of The Declaration of
Independence! Any Thoughts?
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Comments
While this quote is only a portion of a much larger treatise on Education by Benjamin Rush, it is not taken out of context.
You may be surprised to learn that it has definitely been passed as law. The Christian Lawyers know this, but say very little about it.
It's a hard thing to accept that, according to the position of the government, we are their property. And that is not an exaggeration. You don't see this principle reflected in cases at the Federal level. Most of them are at the state level. But it's the Truth.
And the separation of Church and State has been in operation since the Constitution, though not in the manner described and discussed today. Many don't realize that a true Church is a completely separate jurisdiction from the Government. Unless criminal act are being committed by the members, the government has no jurisdiction to interfere. A True Church is a completely separate government, just as the NT teaches. But you're right. Most abdicate their rights and suffer for it.
Ben;
I guess I should not be surprised. After all we have a department of education and abasolutely no mention of education in the constitution. Government has to get their money wherever they can get it. We, for the most part, just sit around and watch them take more money.
Ben,
Get real. Benjamin Rush said this in the late 18th Century. There is no one in education in America today who follows this philosophy, or who would not find it onerous and find it unacceptable.
As a teacher, and particularly a Power Teacher I have never followed any such philosophy, nor has any teacher, or administrator I have ever encountered in 17 years.
All the teachers I have ever worked with have been caring motivated people who sacrificed a great deal for the chance to touch the future and prepare the kids they work with for a successful future.
I regret that so many people have so little idea of exactly how much teachers today put into their thankless jobs, and how much they sacrifice to by villified with little justification. Are all of them wonderful? Certainly not! But the few who commit some malfeasance too often leave people looking at all of us without consideration for what we do to try and help the students who we dedicate ourselves to.
Smarticus,
Thanks for your comments!
I can understand your incredulity. But to outright deny my statement without first performing the least bit of research is to deny your academic heritage. (I presume that you haven't performed any research. If you have, please identify a few of the particulars. I don't mind my presumption being rebutted.)
I have made statements which can be verified by public record. And this statment by Rush is not some ancient historical novelty, but current American legal reality.
You may deny operating according to this reality, but you tacity support it on a daily basis, whether you believe so or not. The entire public education system is designed with purpose. These purposes are also a matter of public record, though referenced by few.
In no way, though, does this deny or belittle the sacrifices made by many. including yourself. It simply begins to put the sacrifices in their proper context. The Greco - Roman education system in place in this country demands sacrifice and always has. As subtle and covert as they may be, they exist. To deny them could be considered willful educational blindness, a condition which can be alleviated by the proper knowledge and understanding.
I hope your are not immune to such an endeavor.
Dear Ben,
Yes, there are problems with any system. However, do you know a better system that is in place that works? You are also allowed to pursue other choices of education. Would this be true if they owned you? You are obviously are very intelligent person. Were you educated in the USA? Take care.
KLP
viralprospector says:
16 months ago
Ben;
I hope you made it through Ike OK.
You found an interesting quote here. To me, this is like things Jefferson wrote, but that the others framers of the constitution knew were BS. One example is Jefferson's famous "separation of church and state". It is interesting, but it is just one man's opinion, never enacted.
Sadly, separation of church and state has been acted upon and is now actually seen as true. It is about as true as what I write. I hardly think that will soon become law. Of course, I know it should, though - lol.
I do not have the whole passage for this quote, but it seems to me to be sort of an offshoot of Martin Luther's views. I think that this referred to the feeling that we all needed to be watching our government. Never trust them, so be well educated and intircately involved in the affairs of the state.
That would be good advice, since that is what our country was founded upon. Now, we abdicate all our rights to government, and we get royally screwed at every turn. So, if that is what Rush meant, I am all for it. It is hard for me to know without further study. Does that make sense to you?