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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyFebruary 19th, 2008
Focus on the Family has congratulated Exodus on their booming success and huge growth:
Exodus International has seen a 59 percent increase in its member agencies, growing from 117 in 2003 to more than 200 in 2008.
But a 59% increase from 117 is 186. And further in the article:
Since 1976, Exodus has grown to include 150 ministries in 17 countries.
I’m pretty sure that 150 does not equal “more than 200”. But what do I know, I wasn’t home schooled.
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Erica B.
February 19th, 2008
Maybe instead of outright lying, they’re including in this “increase” member agencies which both opened and folded in that five-year period. The percentage is ones that are still open, the “more than 200” includes now-defunct ones?
I think it’s more likely they’re just incapable of doing math, though. No reason to help them grasp at straws.
Tim Smith
February 19th, 2008
I find it interesting that there doesn’t seem to be a feedback link on the website presenting the above article. Is someone afraid of a little open and honest debate and critisism? Typical right wing propoganda….they love to dish it out…but refuse to listen to anyone with an opposing view!
Justin E.
February 19th, 2008
While I sincerely appreciate bringing this information to our attention I wonder what it has to do with home schooled people. As a gay, home-schooled, college graduate it seems slightly offensive to me to imply that home schooled people can not do math. I am guessing no ill will was meant by it and it was only a joke but I don’t think it was appropriate.
Emily K
February 19th, 2008
I think the point was that oftentimes families that home school will think themselves better than those who go to public school, for example. He was being ironic.
Michael
February 19th, 2008
Yeah, that tripped me up, too (I was a home-schooled kid, as well). I think we’re supposed to read it as, “if I were home-schooled I might be an authority on math,” rather than, “if I were home-schooled I would believe that 150 is more than 200.”
Jarred
February 19th, 2008
Justin and Michael,
Bear in mind that most of us are most familiar with ultra-conservative proponents of homeschooling who promote homeschooling for the sake of “protecting their children” from whatever evils they believe have infested the public school system. As a rule, that particular segment of homeschoolers often seem quite unconcerned about the quality of the education offered through their brand of homeschooling.
It’s easy to forget — or even be unaware of — the fact that some people actually choose homeschooling over public or private school because they believe it provides them with the a superior education. Indeed, until I talked to my own sister on the topic, I was unaware of the kind of quality education proper homeschooling can provide.
Timothy Kincaid
February 19th, 2008
OK, guys, it’s looks like I need to clarify.
I was actually being snarky.
In California the anti-gay activists are pushing to have Christians take their children out of public schools and, if they can’t afford private schools they should home-school them. As part of the argument, they tell you that you don’t have to be smarter than a chipmunk to teach your children algebra or the importance of the Magna Carta, the programs are so simple that any idiot could do it.
I am aware that homeschooling can provide a very high quality education. But that isn’t what these folks are shooting for – they prefer an education that is unencumbered with inconvenient facts or scientific theories. They prefer the kind that does not challenge treasured assumptions about the foundation of our nation and that limits knowledge to that which confirms a religious and political agenda.
How do I know?
Well, although I was not homeschooled, I did attend two private schools as well as public school.
One private school was interested in education and was very grounded and thorough. Yes they taught Bible, but they also taught latin and greek and emphasized scholarship. You attended that school if you wanted a strong education.
The other followed an “at your own pace” system of self-teaching booklets called ACE – Accelerated Christian Education. The “monitors” (teachers) had no eductation higher than High School and the level of “education” was a complete joke. You attended that school if you were a complete dunce or if you wanted to be protected from evil secular influences. Fortunately, my parents listened when I said I was ready for a real education at our very decent public school.
I don’t question that many home-schoolers are like my first private school: a rigorous, broad based, thoughtful and individualized strong education. I’m sure that those who comment here fall into this category.
But too too many are falling victim to the type of homeschooling that is interested in producing “good Christians” at the risk of producing strong minds.
Doubt me? Well this is what the Campaign for Children and Families says:
Or more realistically, let the phobes do your thinking for you.
werdna
February 20th, 2008
I dunno, I have to go with the critics here. The bitchy dig at xtian home-schoolers seems a little beneath the usual standard for BTB. If you want to do snark, try sadlyno.com. Your explanation is more nuanced, but it’s a bit like excusing a homophobic joke by saying “I wasn’t talking about all gay people, just the flaming/nelly/stupid ones.”
But what do I know? When I first scanned the headline I read “Exodus’ little Meth Problem.” Not that I would’ve been surprised by such a headline…
Timothy Kincaid
February 20th, 2008
I am aways amazed at the diversity of our readership. I am now convinced that if I wrote about left-handed, red-headed, Amish accountants from Pasadena, someone who fit just that description would comment.
I’m glad for all our readers, homeschooled, private schooled, public schooled, or raised by wolves. Thanks for setting me straight, guys.
Justin E.
February 20th, 2008
Timothy, thank you for your responses. I really appreciate it. I wanted to let you know, I e-mailed Citizen link and recieved a response today from them that basically said, “Thanks for giving us the heads-up. We have fixed the math problem.” So I checked out their website and they changed it from 59% to 71%. I’m only sad to see that it wasn’t an error in the total number of additions…
Thanks again for your contributions to this site and response!
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