Salt and Light (or Answers to Lame Arguments Against Homeschooling #1)

On the Well Trained Mind forum that I frequent, someone inquired how we answer the question of "salt and light" often posed by those who do not homeschool.  The question (or defense of one's own reason for sending their child to school) goes something like this:  "Now, if all the Christians homeschooled their kids, who would be salt and light in the public schools?  I really believe this is why Christians should send their kids to school.  I don't want to over-protect my kids...they need to know about the world.  We talk about things that happen at school when they get home."

My response to this goes something like this. 

we do not throw a pinch of salt into a swimming pool and expect it to become salty. we do not throw a candle into a pit and expect it to remain lit. children are influenced by those with whom they spend the majority of their time. children are not capable of enough abstract thought to defend their faith nor do they have the spiritual maturity to stand against the devil's schemes (which are rampant in the public schools). it is our job as parents to manage and filter the influences that come in contact with our children, and to protect their minds as well as their bodies. i am not saying to keep them naive, but rather to teach them to be wise as they become initiated to the world. i can assure you that this is not the primary goal of the public schools as they crank out their little proletariat work force who will be good citizens to the country and the world. they have an agenda all their own, and the last time i checked it wasn't to raise competent disciples of Christ.

i am working to DISCIPLE my children and TRAIN them in the truth. when this training is complete, then i must answer the call to release them into the world to be salt and light.