(no subject)

[superchick9]

I just sat through a class that completely explained why people don't like Christians. Since I only teach like one period on Wednesdays (drives me nuts!!) my deputy principal set me up to observe a whole bunch of different classes. So I was in my Year 8 Bible and Evangelism class, and the teacher is a really sweet American guy, almost old enough to be my grandpa, but still really nice.  And he started asking the students why some of them aren't coming back to this school next year (about half the class is transferring out) For most of them, it was sports and different course options, which Hebron doesn't have because it's tiny.  So we spent the next 20 minutes listening to basically why Hebron is great, and public schools are of the devil. It wasn't as extreme as that, but as I sat listening, i thought to myself "My goodness, do I sound this obnoxious and self-righteous when I talk about my beliefs?" For example, the teacher talked about different curriculum in public schools. And he brings up witchcraft. I almost laughed out loud at this point because he mentioned how, in social studies, a teacher can choose to teach witchcraft, and he said the word "witchcraft" in this like scary deep taboo voice.  And I thought to myself, trained as a history teacher, that you wouldn't be teaching spells, you'd be teaching about things like the Salem Witchcraft trials, the persecution and the mass terror and mob rule that occurs during these sorts of movements.  Of all things, I think learning the historical involvement and significance of witchcraft and the witchcraft movement is the least of our worries.  This is the reason why so many kids who are Christians when they're in high school do a complete 180 when they hit college. They haven't been exposed, educated, or even remotely informed about stuff that they would eventually have to make decisions about.  How can you expect someone who has been brought up in this sheltered little cocoon to suddenly be thrown into a world of delicious looking temptations and expect them to make a good decision? This is why you have the homeschooled mom-dresser pregnant and doped up within four months of going to college. It's overwhelming and I think it's the church's and parents'  fault for not educating their children. You can't be expected to make a mature decision without all the information.  I went to public school all my life, and I think I turned out pretty decent.  Public schools in and of themselves are only a tiny tiny portion of the problem.  It's behaviors and beliefs that are being reinforced at home, decisions made by parents.  
   I don't think I'm meant to teach in a Christian school.  Four years in the Houghton bubble is enough for me.  You can't appeal to people by being removed from the world, by being shut off and pretending everything is rose-colored and beautiful. People don't respond to that, it's not reality.   You have to get in there, get your hands dirty, show people you really care about them, and won't judge them, because you know what? We all make mistakes, and just because mine aren't as visible doesn't mean they don't exist.  Being in the cocoon might be ok for some people, and some people need that protection, that safe haven with small little challenges.  But I want to be real. I'm not going to pretend I dont have struggles, I'm not going to pretend I dont have doubts, I'm not going to pretend I don't feel pain.  I'm human, of course I do.  But I have faith, although sometimes it's barely clinging, and sometimes I can't explain why I have it, or even if I should have it, but I have it.  It's when you're challenged, when you really have to answer for your beliefs that you find out if you really believe them or if they're just pretty words you say on Sunday to make yourself look good.

It's an endless journey, this faith thing, but I'm strapped in for the ride.