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They can take your kids from for not sending them to school but not for home schooling them random thoughts Send a noteboard - 03/03/2010 10:35:48 PM
There must be some people in Germany who believe it is grounds for removing children or they wouldn't have the law.

Surely in the US too there are laws about that kind of thing, even if the American government obviously wouldn't make a legal case out of parents homeschooling their kids.


Of course we have laws for removing kids from their home. I think in to many cases they leave children in homes where they shouldn't. What we don't have is laws designed solely to keep parents from having control of the morals and values their children are taught. There are limits of course, if you teach your children to steal or sell drugs you are at risk of losing them or at least being put in some sort of supervised situation with in home visits. Typically when you have parents who are that bad or you get the skin heads that Silver Warder mentioned they are such piss poor parents that you can find any number of reasons to intervene.

As I understand it from the articles (if you can read German, I provided the links elsewhere), when the parents' case in court was dismissed, the father caught mention somewhere of a possibility of losing custody. The articles aren't much clearer than that about just how realistic that possibility is, what criteria have to be met before it's allowed, or whether any government service ever seriously considered that option - other than the mayor stating that no, they haven't. Considering the political fallout of such a decision, I would be strongly inclined to believe him, but I didn't see anything about guarantees, no (would be rather absurd to make guarantees, too, don't you think? If removing custody is a serious option, they can hardly guarantee not to do it, and if it's not a serious option, they'd only look foolish making guarantees that they'd never do it.)


Yeah my German is a little weak;) Mostly it comes from watching Hogan’s Heroes and old WWII movies;)

I am basing my entire defense of the ruling on the idea that they had justification to feel their kids could be taken away. Without that I think their case would be much weaker. I admit to my ignorance of the specifics here and I know nothing not in the original article. I do give some weight to their fear since a court in Germany very recently ruled that it was justified.

For all I know these people are crap parents who never should be allowed with in 50 feet of children but based on what I seen they are simply sincere parents who are willing to fight for what they believe in. I think personal liberty is the foundation of a free society and I support people who fight for even if I don't support the choices they are fighting for. Maybe it is just me but I consider personal liberty to paramount and believe we should always strive to expand where it possible. There must be limits of course to protect other peoples liberty but I think you error on more liberty not more control.

Edit: And about your reply above in the locked bit (I really don't get why, but okay): yes, I realize that that would be what it looks like to you, them fighting intolerance with intolerance. That would be because you have a different political and social culture.


And that is why it makes sense to give these people political asylum. We have a society and culture that values people who are willing to fight the system for their beliefs and I would guess they will be greeted with much more open arms here then they would have with any of the other countries people felt they should have moved to.

Sorry but it will be a very long haul to convince me that limits to what people can think and say is the best path forward. I think the light of day and honest debate is the best path. I do not support hate laws of any sort and believe that a crime is crime. I think Mill's had it right when he wrote On Liberty and I believe we lessen ourselves as a whole when we try and define what can and can't be thought. It is messy at times but then again what isn't and don’t believe that you can create tolerance through intolerance.

As for the rest of we can leave that locked and if you want to discuss it further feel free to NB but I really don’t want to start another pissing contest further down the thread.
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Homeschooling: German Family Gets Political Asylum in U.S. - 02/03/2010 10:30:01 PM 1480 Views
Looks like a win-win situation to me. - 02/03/2010 11:01:22 PM 759 Views
Exactly - 03/03/2010 08:54:10 AM 715 Views
yah...but...but.... - 03/03/2010 01:13:31 PM 625 Views
Germany does have a history of getting rid of people it doesn't like *NM* - 03/03/2010 02:08:37 PM 470 Views
Yawn. At least beckstcw was joking when he invoked Godwin's law below. I hope. *NM* - 03/03/2010 02:10:18 PM 387 Views
That is a load of crap - 03/03/2010 02:53:02 PM 469 Views
uhm, how would Germany be offending the US? - 03/03/2010 02:56:52 PM 432 Views
I meant in general not in this specfic case - 03/03/2010 02:59:01 PM 383 Views
ahh mk *NM* - 03/03/2010 03:09:39 PM 415 Views
Um. - 03/03/2010 02:57:53 PM 314 Views
But our religious beliefs and belief in allowing religious freedom is fair game? - 03/03/2010 03:09:48 PM 324 Views
Yes? - 03/03/2010 03:40:30 PM 302 Views
If you made fun of the Native Americans I would be offended - 03/03/2010 03:46:05 PM 545 Views
It's actually quite the opposite. - 03/03/2010 03:57:19 PM 521 Views
and I would say they trying to fix intolerance with more intolerance - 03/03/2010 04:13:49 PM 307 Views
That was probably the stupidest thing I ever saw you write - 03/03/2010 03:28:39 PM 477 Views
You were the one who said good riddance - 03/03/2010 03:43:24 PM 331 Views
It's the usual story of American ideology and European pragmatism. - 03/03/2010 03:52:51 PM 492 Views
exactly. - 03/03/2010 03:56:11 PM 434 Views
Yes, because I won't miss them much. - 03/03/2010 03:55:29 PM 520 Views
well said - 03/03/2010 06:34:18 PM 510 Views
I think it's outrageous they'd fine people for that - 02/03/2010 11:07:57 PM 770 Views
Re: Homeschooling: German Family Gets Political Asylum in U.S. - 03/03/2010 01:09:23 AM 894 Views
The socialization thing is mostly garbage - 03/03/2010 02:32:19 AM 766 Views
Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 02:41:14 AM 559 Views
Re: Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 03:12:48 AM 537 Views
Re: Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 03:34:33 AM 788 Views
Re: Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 04:34:30 AM 776 Views
*shrugs* I said it was anecdotal. I have no hard figures, only experiences. - 03/03/2010 03:28:29 AM 533 Views
The operative word IS mostly - 03/03/2010 04:33:20 AM 729 Views
'Mostly' is all that matters - 03/03/2010 05:46:01 AM 770 Views
Uhm, socialization is incredibly important. - 03/03/2010 06:03:30 AM 739 Views
Yes, but you don't need to be taught to do it - 03/03/2010 06:47:06 AM 689 Views
cats aren't pack or herd animals - 03/03/2010 06:53:02 AM 676 Views
Something of an inside joke, sorry - 03/03/2010 07:41:50 AM 721 Views
I'm a homeschooling parent. - 03/03/2010 07:09:03 PM 704 Views
LOL, we seem well represented on this site - 03/03/2010 10:02:16 PM 787 Views
to jump on the "I was homeschooled and I have social skills" bandwagon... - 03/03/2010 06:27:05 AM 1090 Views
I think you may be missing some things - 03/03/2010 02:48:27 PM 824 Views
Re: I think you may be missing some things - 05/03/2010 12:16:37 AM 896 Views
I was homeschooled through grade 12, and my mom has done pro bono legal work for HSLDA. - 03/03/2010 02:20:38 AM 679 Views
I agree that it can be a very good option for some families - 03/03/2010 04:42:21 AM 813 Views
Re: I agree that it can be a very good option for some families - 03/03/2010 05:16:17 AM 650 Views
It depends on the public school. - 03/03/2010 05:23:09 AM 685 Views
Re: It depends on the public school. - 03/03/2010 05:45:07 AM 686 Views
"done right" is not always the case - 03/03/2010 05:58:26 AM 518 Views
Re: "done right" is not always the case - 03/03/2010 06:14:43 AM 836 Views
Re: "done right" is not always the case - 03/03/2010 06:31:04 AM 746 Views
Well let's talk stats then. - 03/03/2010 06:55:14 AM 707 Views
please do not get me started on statistis. - 03/03/2010 07:11:19 AM 625 Views
Re: please do not get me started on statistis. - 03/03/2010 07:28:41 AM 681 Views
you missed my point. - 03/03/2010 01:10:26 PM 698 Views
You seem to be ignoring the matter of qualified teachers. - 03/03/2010 01:29:01 PM 662 Views
Your comments on public school educations have rather limited relevance to other countries, though. - 03/03/2010 09:53:30 AM 759 Views
+ ^ *NM* - 03/03/2010 01:11:04 PM 385 Views
While I support homeschooling, this is ridiculous. - 03/03/2010 04:48:40 AM 813 Views
Meh. - 03/03/2010 05:20:50 AM 739 Views
one year in a public school - 03/03/2010 05:32:13 AM 790 Views
Re: one year in a public school - 03/03/2010 05:58:48 AM 561 Views
No, I think i will nitpick. - 03/03/2010 06:11:44 AM 691 Views
This is getting off track and wasting time. - 03/03/2010 06:26:36 AM 727 Views
I'm not even certain it's 100% legal. - 03/03/2010 06:34:44 AM 512 Views
Yes, but we can't argue abuse of law. - 03/03/2010 06:51:23 AM 624 Views
I only used Mexicans because I'm from Arizona - 03/03/2010 07:04:29 AM 750 Views
I think I have the gist of it, - 03/03/2010 07:17:40 AM 644 Views
we haven't heard anything about their beliefs for me to think they're stupid. - 03/03/2010 02:54:25 PM 733 Views
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung... - 03/03/2010 03:38:13 PM 653 Views
they don't have private christian schools in germany? - 03/03/2010 03:54:07 PM 610 Views
Not many, I dare say, but a few probably. *NM* - 03/03/2010 03:59:11 PM 410 Views
Say what? - 03/03/2010 09:38:40 AM 601 Views
Being able raise your kids by your beliefs is a frivolous matter? - 03/03/2010 03:21:23 PM 536 Views
Germany is not saying "you can't raise your kids by your beliefs" - 03/03/2010 03:31:01 PM 660 Views
It's not a recent law, and supposedly other German families have moved to France and the UK. - 03/03/2010 03:45:56 PM 750 Views
figured that. - 03/03/2010 03:58:57 PM 636 Views
I think that would fly in very face of political assylum - 03/03/2010 04:12:48 PM 702 Views
Yes, but they did not need political asylum. - 03/03/2010 04:28:16 PM 716 Views
how is that different then other political refuges we allow in? - 03/03/2010 04:55:14 PM 629 Views
I believe Legolas linked an article - 03/03/2010 04:57:09 PM 610 Views
I never saw the link - 03/03/2010 05:08:21 PM 523 Views
I'm not sure if they offered "formal" assurances or some such - 03/03/2010 05:21:54 PM 446 Views
that was a mayor, I doubt he would have the final word on the issue - 03/03/2010 05:46:22 PM 502 Views
You don't have a law about removing children from parental custody? At all? - 03/03/2010 09:43:15 PM 648 Views
They can take your kids from for not sending them to school but not for home schooling them - 03/03/2010 10:35:48 PM 657 Views
Compared to not being able to feed your kids, yes, it is. - 03/03/2010 03:42:58 PM 533 Views
yes but we don't grant political assylum for being hungry - 03/03/2010 04:34:23 PM 619 Views
no we don't. - 03/03/2010 04:50:31 PM 492 Views
Do you have a better system? - 03/03/2010 05:05:42 PM 782 Views
Immigration processes could certainly use some reform - 03/03/2010 05:32:22 PM 583 Views
The system sucks, big government typically does not function well - 03/03/2010 05:48:25 PM 520 Views
we probably would all be better off... - 03/03/2010 07:27:28 PM 638 Views
good because Texas is taken - 03/03/2010 07:47:46 PM 642 Views
No, true, that was about the illegal immigrants. - 03/03/2010 09:53:18 PM 743 Views
Absolutely. - 03/03/2010 09:32:41 AM 721 Views
Doesn't matter why, but all parents should have the right to homeschool..... - 03/03/2010 04:48:57 AM 561 Views
there are far worse faults for a country to have *NM* - 03/03/2010 05:14:11 AM 382 Views
That whole thing is pretty silly - 03/03/2010 12:18:45 PM 793 Views
Re: socialising. - 03/03/2010 06:13:49 PM 754 Views
And then there are secular people like myself, who - 03/03/2010 06:44:13 PM 696 Views
I think I'd do that too, if I had the patience. - 03/03/2010 06:45:20 PM 572 Views
*agree* - 03/03/2010 07:41:56 PM 753 Views
That is the catagory I'm in. - 03/03/2010 07:46:12 PM 613 Views
Re: probably more likely - 04/03/2010 12:19:37 AM 762 Views
I am opposed to homeschooling but believe it should be a legal option. - 03/03/2010 02:32:34 PM 703 Views
I think you make a good point here - 03/03/2010 05:22:59 PM 743 Views
but...but...parents can't educate their children outside of school!! - 03/03/2010 05:40:30 PM 670 Views
I don't agree with them I just support their right to be wrong - 03/03/2010 06:04:11 PM 717 Views
The statistics are flawed, as I've noted above - 03/03/2010 07:07:11 PM 581 Views
Your views on this are not fact-driven - 03/03/2010 09:13:07 PM 759 Views
No, what you're saying is that my answer isn't driven by STATISTICS. - 03/03/2010 10:36:50 PM 684 Views
Granted, but there is no obvious source for bias - 03/03/2010 10:57:19 PM 615 Views
Again, I'm not saying it applies to everyone - 03/03/2010 11:51:17 PM 528 Views
Re: Again, I'm not saying it applies to everyone - 04/03/2010 12:16:29 AM 765 Views
You mean aside from the fact that you are already arguing about it? - 04/03/2010 12:14:02 AM 521 Views
Yes, I mentioned this in my reply to Tom, see below... - 04/03/2010 12:19:42 AM 656 Views
Fair enough - 04/03/2010 12:21:41 AM 570 Views
Re: Fair enough - 04/03/2010 12:37:06 AM 981 Views
Re: Fair enough - 04/03/2010 09:39:38 AM 686 Views
Umm Massachusetts did have slavery in 1717 - 03/03/2010 02:55:25 PM 619 Views
Wow....so this got the board going. A question for everyone... - 03/03/2010 06:02:57 PM 804 Views
I think it is incumbent on the state to show that kids are being in some way harmed - 03/03/2010 06:07:13 PM 721 Views
Interesting - 03/03/2010 06:25:43 PM 825 Views
I never said there should be no limits on what parents should be able to do - 03/03/2010 06:38:53 PM 774 Views
What you said was: - 03/03/2010 06:51:26 PM 761 Views
I think it's safe to say teaching your kids to be little sociopaths qualifies as harm. - 03/03/2010 09:17:48 PM 543 Views
I think so too - 03/03/2010 10:46:41 PM 773 Views
Yes they do. Provided... - 03/03/2010 07:04:46 PM 645 Views
One of the reasons... - 03/03/2010 07:40:54 PM 727 Views
that is fair enough - 03/03/2010 07:51:31 PM 612 Views
Hmmph. Inappropriate action on the part of the judge who allowed them to stay. - 03/03/2010 06:22:08 PM 667 Views
I agree completely with this. *NM* - 03/03/2010 06:42:01 PM 411 Views
agree. *NM* - 03/03/2010 06:49:01 PM 272 Views
You just skip the part where they have to show they are being persecuted - 03/03/2010 06:54:20 PM 791 Views
"Persecution" can be a matter of opinion, though. - 03/03/2010 07:04:46 PM 768 Views
officers will track down kids ditching school here. - 03/03/2010 07:17:57 PM 812 Views
I'm not sure what they do in Canada - 03/03/2010 10:49:00 PM 669 Views
Agrees - 03/03/2010 06:54:59 PM 632 Views
New Cosmic Powers of the admins - 03/03/2010 06:52:57 PM 549 Views
It is the Power of the Ben™ *NM* - 03/03/2010 08:48:11 PM 401 Views
*walks in, looks around* - 03/03/2010 07:52:09 PM 740 Views
Re: *walks in, looks around* - 03/03/2010 09:25:46 PM 510 Views
What, no defending Germany today? *NM* - 03/03/2010 10:03:01 PM 407 Views
Even I need a day off *NM* - 04/03/2010 01:02:17 AM 394 Views
Re: *walks in, looks around* - 03/03/2010 10:33:24 PM 561 Views
Interesting - 03/03/2010 11:02:27 PM 741 Views
Am I recalling correctly that you know some German? - 03/03/2010 11:07:00 PM 693 Views
Sorry, nope. - 04/03/2010 09:14:49 PM 491 Views
Oh. Ah well. - 04/03/2010 09:23:11 PM 660 Views
One thing all of us homeschooled kids are missing is... - 04/03/2010 01:53:22 AM 619 Views

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