"[By the public schools] our people have been cast into the arms of materialism...For a long time the public school was a veiled image to our people--its essence hidden, its true visage invisible. It just stood there, covered by a garment in which the misleading term "toleration"...was woven in shiny gold thread. Misled by appearances, our people did not believe what some trustworthy individuals told them about the heinous form that would become apparent as soon as the veil fell off and the garment was removed. In the meantime, they had grown to love the public school and became accustomed to it as an integral part of our national life.
 |
| It's just math and reading... |
And now, it is finally clear at last that everything said about the school understates the appalling truth now revealed. The mask is finally thrown off, and the school is displayed in all its naked barrenness. The dissembling about faith is gone and has been replaced with active efforts to silence God and eternal life. Yet still they dare to call out to our people: "You must send your children to me, you will entrust to me your baptized sons and daughters, although the name of Christ may not be heard within our walls and no talk about God or immortality will be permitted." And the nation as a whole is silent while thousands and tens of thousands send their children. There is still present an unholy desire to fight for the public school as one does for one's idol. Where are we headed? Do you not sense that going down this path will mean the end of your immortality as a nation?--Abraham Kuyper, "Teaching Immortality in the Public Schools" 1870, reprinted in Collected Works in Public Theology: On Education, pg. 28.
