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


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.
Homeschooling: German Family Gets Political Asylum in U.S.
02/03/2010 10:30:01 PM
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Looks like a win-win situation to me.
02/03/2010 11:01:22 PM
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Germany does have a history of getting rid of people it doesn't like *NM*
03/03/2010 02:08:37 PM
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Yawn. At least beckstcw was joking when he invoked Godwin's law below. I hope. *NM*
03/03/2010 02:10:18 PM
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That is a load of crap
03/03/2010 02:53:02 PM
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uhm, how would Germany be offending the US?
03/03/2010 02:56:52 PM
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Um.
03/03/2010 02:57:53 PM
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But our religious beliefs and belief in allowing religious freedom is fair game?
03/03/2010 03:09:48 PM
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Yes?
03/03/2010 03:40:30 PM
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If you made fun of the Native Americans I would be offended
03/03/2010 03:46:05 PM
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It's actually quite the opposite.
03/03/2010 03:57:19 PM
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and I would say they trying to fix intolerance with more intolerance
03/03/2010 04:13:49 PM
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That was probably the stupidest thing I ever saw you write
03/03/2010 03:28:39 PM
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You were the one who said good riddance
03/03/2010 03:43:24 PM
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It's the usual story of American ideology and European pragmatism.
03/03/2010 03:52:51 PM
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This is getting a bit off the discussion. Please keep it civil, everyone. *NM*
03/03/2010 06:55:11 PM
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Re: Homeschooling: German Family Gets Political Asylum in U.S.
03/03/2010 01:09:23 AM
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The socialization thing is mostly garbage
03/03/2010 02:32:19 AM
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Yep, exactly.
03/03/2010 02:41:14 AM
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Re: Yep, exactly.
03/03/2010 03:12:48 AM
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*shrugs* I said it was anecdotal. I have no hard figures, only experiences.
03/03/2010 03:28:29 AM
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The operative word IS mostly
03/03/2010 04:33:20 AM
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'Mostly' is all that matters
03/03/2010 05:46:01 AM
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Uhm, socialization is incredibly important.
03/03/2010 06:03:30 AM
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Yes, but you don't need to be taught to do it
03/03/2010 06:47:06 AM
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cats aren't pack or herd animals
03/03/2010 06:53:02 AM
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Something of an inside joke, sorry
03/03/2010 07:41:50 AM
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us closely associated with schools are sensitive on the issue too
03/03/2010 01:05:27 PM
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Re: us closely associated with schools are sensitive on the issue too
03/03/2010 10:19:21 PM
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I would agree that households with two working parnets shouldn't home school *NM*
03/03/2010 03:22:51 PM
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to jump on the "I was homeschooled and I have social skills" bandwagon...
03/03/2010 06:27:05 AM
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I was homeschooled through grade 12, and my mom has done pro bono legal work for HSLDA.
03/03/2010 02:20:38 AM
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I agree that it can be a very good option for some families
03/03/2010 04:42:21 AM
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Re: I agree that it can be a very good option for some families
03/03/2010 05:16:17 AM
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It depends on the public school.
03/03/2010 05:23:09 AM
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Re: It depends on the public school.
03/03/2010 05:45:07 AM
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"done right" is not always the case
03/03/2010 05:58:26 AM
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Re: "done right" is not always the case
03/03/2010 06:14:43 AM
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Re: "done right" is not always the case
03/03/2010 06:31:04 AM
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Well let's talk stats then.
03/03/2010 06:55:14 AM
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please do not get me started on statistis.
03/03/2010 07:11:19 AM
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Your comments on public school educations have rather limited relevance to other countries, though.
03/03/2010 09:53:30 AM
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While I support homeschooling, this is ridiculous.
03/03/2010 04:48:40 AM
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Meh.
03/03/2010 05:20:50 AM
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one year in a public school
03/03/2010 05:32:13 AM
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Re: one year in a public school
03/03/2010 05:58:48 AM
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No, I think i will nitpick.
03/03/2010 06:11:44 AM
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This is getting off track and wasting time.
03/03/2010 06:26:36 AM
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I'm not even certain it's 100% legal.
03/03/2010 06:34:44 AM
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Yes, but we can't argue abuse of law.
03/03/2010 06:51:23 AM
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I only used Mexicans because I'm from Arizona
03/03/2010 07:04:29 AM
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I think I have the gist of it,
03/03/2010 07:17:40 AM
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we haven't heard anything about their beliefs for me to think they're stupid.
03/03/2010 02:54:25 PM
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According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung...
03/03/2010 03:38:13 PM
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Say what?
03/03/2010 09:38:40 AM
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Being able raise your kids by your beliefs is a frivolous matter?
03/03/2010 03:21:23 PM
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Germany is not saying "you can't raise your kids by your beliefs"
03/03/2010 03:31:01 PM
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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
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I think that would fly in very face of political assylum
03/03/2010 04:12:48 PM
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Yes, but they did not need political asylum.
03/03/2010 04:28:16 PM
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how is that different then other political refuges we allow in?
03/03/2010 04:55:14 PM
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I believe Legolas linked an article
03/03/2010 04:57:09 PM
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I never saw the link
03/03/2010 05:08:21 PM
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I'm not sure if they offered "formal" assurances or some such
03/03/2010 05:21:54 PM
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that was a mayor, I doubt he would have the final word on the issue
03/03/2010 05:46:22 PM
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You don't have a law about removing children from parental custody? At all?
03/03/2010 09:43:15 PM
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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
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Compared to not being able to feed your kids, yes, it is.
03/03/2010 03:42:58 PM
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yes but we don't grant political assylum for being hungry
03/03/2010 04:34:23 PM
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no we don't.
03/03/2010 04:50:31 PM
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Do you have a better system?
03/03/2010 05:05:42 PM
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Immigration processes could certainly use some reform
03/03/2010 05:32:22 PM
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The system sucks, big government typically does not function well
03/03/2010 05:48:25 PM
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Oh, and did you miss the part where the federal government is appealing the decision? *NM*
03/03/2010 09:40:42 AM
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I would consider the threat of losing my children because of my beliefs to be a real threat *NM*
03/03/2010 02:54:08 PM
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Doesn't matter why, but all parents should have the right to homeschool.....
03/03/2010 04:48:57 AM
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That whole thing is pretty silly
03/03/2010 12:18:45 PM
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Re: socialising.
03/03/2010 06:13:49 PM
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I am opposed to homeschooling but believe it should be a legal option.
03/03/2010 02:32:34 PM
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I think you make a good point here
03/03/2010 05:22:59 PM
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but...but...parents can't educate their children outside of school!!
03/03/2010 05:40:30 PM
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I don't agree with them I just support their right to be wrong
03/03/2010 06:04:11 PM
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The statistics are flawed, as I've noted above
03/03/2010 07:07:11 PM
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they tend to beat private schools as well would should flatten out the demographics
03/03/2010 07:53:38 PM
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Your views on this are not fact-driven
03/03/2010 09:13:07 PM
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No, what you're saying is that my answer isn't driven by STATISTICS.
03/03/2010 10:36:50 PM
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Granted, but there is no obvious source for bias
03/03/2010 10:57:19 PM
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You mean aside from the fact that you are already arguing about it?
04/03/2010 12:14:02 AM
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Yes, I mentioned this in my reply to Tom, see below...
04/03/2010 12:19:42 AM
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And the wikipedia article you pointed me to had a different study that contradicts your point.
03/03/2010 10:42:54 PM
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Religious or *moral* instruction
03/03/2010 10:49:48 PM
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I haven't really "met" you the way I meant it in that reply
03/03/2010 11:48:11 PM
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Granted but for our purposes I think people on this site would qualify
04/03/2010 12:05:03 AM
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Umm Massachusetts did have slavery in 1717
03/03/2010 02:55:25 PM
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His argument on the law of Germany is a bad one generally, though, not just for that reason.
03/03/2010 03:31:00 PM
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Wow....so this got the board going. A question for everyone...
03/03/2010 06:02:57 PM
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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
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Interesting
03/03/2010 06:25:43 PM
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I never said there should be no limits on what parents should be able to do
03/03/2010 06:38:53 PM
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I think it's safe to say teaching your kids to be little sociopaths qualifies as harm.
03/03/2010 09:17:48 PM
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I think so too
03/03/2010 10:46:41 PM
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I think the problem there was it was seen as inherently political, that, and showing harm.
03/03/2010 11:44:21 PM
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Yes they do. Provided...
03/03/2010 07:04:46 PM
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There is a reason why education until 18 (or 16, depending) is not merely a right, but a duty.
03/03/2010 10:00:53 PM
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Hmmph. Inappropriate action on the part of the judge who allowed them to stay.
03/03/2010 06:22:08 PM
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You just skip the part where they have to show they are being persecuted
03/03/2010 06:54:20 PM
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As I said, most people would prefer to have their safety threatened to losing their kids. *NM*
06/03/2010 10:14:52 PM
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*walks in, looks around*
03/03/2010 07:52:09 PM
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Interesting
03/03/2010 11:02:27 PM
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