N'Al on 27/1/2010 at 21:57
Stumbled across (
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,674312,00.html) this article earlier today.
In essence, a German family recently applied for (and, as things stand atm, have been granted) asylum in the US, claiming that they face 'religious persecution' in Germany. The basis for this is the family's inability to homeschool their five kids - homeschooling so far is (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeschooling_in_Germany) illegal in Germany - which they deem to amount to religious persecution. The family is highly religious and claim that Germany's public school curricula are "more and more against Christian values" (it should be noted that (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_education#Germany) sex education is mandatory in German schools, which may be partly to blame for the family's contention with the curriculum, although this isn't specifically mentioned in the article).
Now I know there's quite a few proponents of homeschooling here on these boards, so I understand this can be a contentious issue to some (not being allowed to homeschool your kids, that is). Nevertheless, the fact that this is used as grounds for
claiming religious persecution and
seeking political asylum (and, moreover, being
granted asylum!) just strikes me as incredibly... ludicrous.
SubJeff on 27/1/2010 at 22:09
Its stretching the definitions a little but actually it makes total sense. If teaching your children about certain things is against your religion but it is also a legal requirement you can argue that the law is discriminating against you on religious grounds.
That homeschooling is allowed in the US makes it one of the natural places for these people to go.
Kolya on 27/1/2010 at 22:10
Good riddance, keep the nut jobs. :thumb:
N'Al on 27/1/2010 at 22:23
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Its stretching the definitions a little
Exactly.
I was under the impression there'd be some sort of legal definition(s) as to what constitutes 'religious persecution'. Didn't think "I can't homeschool my own kids" would come under that.
Stitch on 27/1/2010 at 22:28
Quote Posted by Kolya
Good riddance, keep the nut jobs. :thumb:
:(
june gloom on 27/1/2010 at 22:35
These people are exactly what's wrong with homeschooling.
AR Master on 27/1/2010 at 22:53
why
SubJeff on 27/1/2010 at 23:12
Quote Posted by N'Al
Didn't think "I can't homeschool my own kids" would come under that.
You just keep thinking inside that box, mmmmk?
SD on 27/1/2010 at 23:15
Seems fair to me. Germany is still quite a backwards place in many ways. Of course we're all familiar with the restrictions on free speech - the video game censorship and the Holocaust denial laws. Then (and I shit you not) there's the federally-administered church tax levied on citizens which provides the various Christian denominations with three-quarters of their income.
hopper on 27/1/2010 at 23:50
Quote Posted by SD
Then (and I shit you not) there's the federally-administered
church tax levied on citizens
Which (and I shit you not) you are free to opt out of - just leave the church.
