Seeking Christian advice on Steiner Schools

[DaddyAbe]

Hi all,
I'm a Christian father of two, and it's time to start thinking about schools. Mum doesn't consider herself "Christian" as such, although she believes in, loves and prays to Jesus (don't ask! lol)

Obviously I'm keen for the kids to be in an environment which doesn't stifle the Gospel. I don't think that Christian schools necessarily bear fruit, in that they often put kids off the faith more than nurture it. Obviously some are great on the other hand. But for that reason I don't think it has to be a pre-requisite that our choice is a religious school.

However, Mum is v keen on the Steiner Waldorf philosophy on education, and we are considering a Steiner school amongst other options. I have talked to some Steiner teachers a bit about spiritual concerns, and they assure me the institution is not overtly pagan. Although to me, it just feels as if it is a bit, in a sense. I know that Rudolph Steiner himself got "revelation" from spirit beings, and I've never been reassured that those spirits were angels who glorified Christ. So I've always been dubious. But I realize that the modern day Steiner Schools are a long way removed from those days, and don't teach anything of the sort. They just encourage consideration of something "greater than ourselves," and gratitude towards a generic "provider." So it all seems quite open-ended and multi-cultural. (ie there's room for Christian families for sure.) And the system certainly does seem to turn out nice kids.

I believe in disciplining children. But some of the "behaviourist" philosophy on eductation we see in the mainstream education system doesn't seem quite right to me; at least for some children. Kinda like Paul says in Romans 5:20 about the Law increasing sin.

I guess my main concern though, is about putting my kids in a community of people that may have a general tendency to be suspicious of Christianity.

Anyway, I guess I'm just looking for Christian parent advice from people who know a lot about Steiner Schools. I'm sure there'll be a wide variety of opinions on the matter. But I'm not really looking for people's opinions on how it sounds from what I've said about it, if you know what I mean.

Many thanks in advance.
Bless.

As someone who studied Evolutionary Biology, I agree that there is lots of disagreement between scientists - as there is between anyone working in any research area in pretty much any subject. There is also proven and "proven"...

However, that does not have anything to do with the fact that creationist ideas, the vast majority of which can be easily disproved, have zero place in a science classroom - and fortunately in this country that is set out in law.

Hence my worry at Bertie's post.

And I second what Pyrrha said- any school teaching creationism as a credible alternative to evolution needs to be reported to OFSTED immediately.

I respect both of your beliefs, but there are plenty of legitimate scientists who are creationists. And all of the natural realm is constantly screaming evidence at us that there is a creator. But I'm clearly not going to win a scientific debate with you so I'll leave it there :-)

Name 3.

If I'm honest it's not a subject I study a lot. I know there's a guy called Dr Carl Bart or something who's a paleontologist. And another dude called Dr Grady McMurtry who used to teach evolutionary theory in universities; can't remember what his specialism is now. And i'v heard of some non-Christian creation scientists too, and some who are not creationists in the sense of believing in a "Creator" but do hold that macro evolution can't have happened, at least the way everyone thinks. But sorry, I don't have a third name for you. Like I say, it's not something I feel strongly about.

Sorry but if you look at what Universities those guy teach at, and investigate those universities further you will see that they are in no way main stream.

I know of someone who got his PhD studying how when the world was young there was more Oxygen and you could walk around it in 10 days. That was not a qualification awarded by a major league University.

I am BTW both a Christian and a Scientist.

OK daddyabe.

You might find that you have to be able to back up your views a bit more effectively when your children are old enough to ask searching questions. Because it is always possible that they might not be "born again".

Please just put them in a good faith school.
That comes from a H.edder

You can't dictate a particular path for your dc they will go their own way.
I think it is better to find out for themselves and not have restrictions in belief at an early age.
If they choose to do this when older then fair enough.

To be honest, unless you are looking at private education, the idea of 'choice' can be somewhat laughable in parts of the UK.

Of our nearest 6 schools, 2 were CofE, 2 were RC and one was a no-hoper based on distance. So our choice was precisely one.

DD got a place at that one and while it was a school we would have been very happy with, we got lucky and got a place at our 1st choice school that was further away 3 weeks into term.

However, that was complete luck and only due to a bulge class plus 2 kids leaving and 2 deciding not to turn up. Normally we wouldn't have had a choice at all.

This was a state school, definitely an R.E. lesson and would have been in about 1998 but I believe it is still the case although obviously current scientific knowledge is taught as fact during science lessons.

For me, the story of creation is just a story. I am definitely a "believer" in science. But I definitely remember both parts being explored as different beliefs in RE lessons.

Key Stage 2, I should clarify.

@mummytime I never said they were mainstream or went to mainstream unis. I didn't even say I agree with them. Just saying there are alternative scientific theories around. (I would be interested to hear more about your scientific, Christian perspective though. Perhaps in a different thread.)

@curlew Thanks for your concern. Like I said though, I wasn't backing up my own views necessarily. The cause for my faith has nothing to do with the fact that some scholar found a fossilized dinosoar footprint and a fossilized human footprint together. It has to do with the intimate 2-way relationship I enjoy with God that no one can dissprove.

I have never sent my children to a steiner school, but I do know people who have. I think you have to realise that sending a child to a steiner school is embracing a way of life for your entire family. Many families and teachers at a steiner school will have a strong interest in anthroposophy. Anthroposophy is a religion in its own right and underpins the entire philosophy of Steiner.

Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

I think it would be a mistake for a Christian to send their child to a steiner school. Visit schools in your local area. There are lot of mainstream state (not necessarily faith schools) which are compatible with Jesus teachings. There are some so called faith schools which do not offer a good place for developing a child's spirtuality. Everything depends on the head teacher and senior management team.

" For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. " Matthew 24

Prehaps a montesouri school would be a good compromise with your wife.

What ReallyTired said. It's a total immersive way of life for the whole family, you won't be able to pick which bits you like and don't like.

Thanks. Yea I think you're both right. The kids are already at the local Steiner kindergarten, and as nice as it is, I'm not fully comfortable with how much they expect family life to adapt if you're in their community. I don't watch TV and I approve of natural, unfinished toys and all that stuff. But there's quite a lot of other stuff that doesn't sit right with me.

Thanks for your insight both of you.