It is simply amazing how successful (leftist 'Progressive') political correctness has been in controlling the narrative.

No so long ago when a First Grade footballer, paid in the millions and with every support in the world took the opportunity of one word innocently uttered by a girl minor to grandstand his claimed discrimination, the media and politicians immediately fell into line. The sacrifice of the innocence and welfare of that child minor was merely collateral damage in the victim politics played that day and for months after.

Was it Christopher Hitchens, who once paused to wonder just who was driving the 'Progressive' (in fact, regressive), cultural agenda? While he could easily describe the process and the consequences and noted that the cultural war had indeed been lost well before, he admitted that the actual key figures and organisations behind it always remained in the shadows, hidden.

In Australia it was plainly the taxpayer-funded ABC and SBS that lead the charge with leftist 'Progressive' propaganda, slavishly following the BBC in the main, but also by over-exposing select humanities academics, most notably from the social 'sciences'. In politics, Labor was captured by the 'Progressives', the self-described 'Wolves in Sheeps' Clothing', when the Whitlam government (and specifically Whitlam himself) came to power.

Since then, senior Labor figures have professed 'Progressivism' and been notable supporters of Fabianism (same thing). Although that professed Fabianism never prevents them from obtaining significant personal benefit from their public positions. Senior Labor men and women don't mind living high on the hog and it shows.

As far as the proclaimed 'rise in secularism' is concerned, it is (as per usual) all in the 'Progressive' narrative, something easily seen from noting the players who spruik it (and the weak-minded leftist automatons who follow).

otb,

"As far as the proclaimed 'rise in secularism' is concerned, it is (as per usual) all in the 'Progressive' narrative, something easily seen from noting the players who spruik it (and the weak-minded leftist automatons who follow)."

Lol!....no doubt this "weak-minded leftist" chooses to home educate because she's an "automaton".

Actually, Emerson's words still ring true for me..."Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

My point being that it's not unusual to hold opinions that sway to one side, but find there are certain embedded principles involved that go against one's grain.

I certainly have criticised modern secular society for its resemblance to a conveyor belt...something makes me uncomfortable...yet humans are bovine in reality. whether it's a secular collective or a religious one, most people will herd together where they feel most secure.

It's psychologically very difficult to operate outside those parameters. I should know, as the biggest hurdle in deciding to educate outside the traditional institution was psychological...in practice it's not difficult at all.

The following link may be of interest:

http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/Public/focus/essay0409_west.html

Poirot, "..no doubt this "weak-minded leftist" chooses to home educate because she's an "automaton""

Why yes, that is very likely that is the case.

A very caring and well-read poster gave this link in another thread,

http://www.newcriterion.com/articles.cfm/demello-dalrymple-2647

To do you justice I must draw your attention to the likelihood that your child is not being well-served by home education. There are limitations. Maybe compromise and shift near one of the alternative schools? We considered that option because there was a very good alternative school near, but preferred a private school instead.

Sorry to be harsh through directness, but knowing that you care for your child and are taking a very hard path while introducing risks through over-protection, cause me to be very blunt (that and being a father - vive la différence).

Dear Suse,

It's not only the Catholic Church in Poland that
has to change in order to survive. The following link
also explains that - "We must not forget that there is
more to Western Muslim dynamics than mutual fear and
hostility..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/Islam-and-the-west/

otb,

"To do you justice I must draw your attention to the likelihood that your child is not being well-served by home education. There are limitations. Maybe compromise and shift near one of the alternative schools? We considered that option because there was a very good alternative school near, but preferred a private school instead."

Lol! (again)....never you mind "Mr-I-can't-imagine-actually-being-educated-outside-an-institution"

Your limitations are showing - how automaton of you.

Have a bright, happy, engaged young man who's turning into a whizz at historical research - and yes, he does have good friends his own age...it's all good!