IndoctriNation

I had a very hard time with this book.

Just being honest.

IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity is a companion book to the DVD by the same title. I have watched it and it is just as disturbing as the book.

Disturbing, however is not bad.

In this book and accompanying DVD, the filmmakers and editor have compiled a combination of first-hand interviews and article/book excerpts into one vast resource regarding the history and state of public education in America.

Learning more about the history of American public education was quite enlightening to me...and disturbing as well.

I am one of the many Americans who has truly no choice (due to poor past financial decisions) other than to send my child to a public school. He has been blessed with great teachers and a great education thus far, but don't think for a minute that I don't have concern for what he hears or will hear in the classrooms he attends - both from teachers and other students. Thus the reason I try my best to diligently #TeachtheTruth in our daily lives in whatever ways God allows and leads me to.

Still, the government-guided school system has my child for more total, undivided time than I do if you factor in all of the other things that go on before and after school.

IndoctriNation brings to light how deliberate my situation is.

No, I do not deliberately choose to let the God-forsaking United States government indoctrinate and mold my child into becoming the kind of humanistic (man-centered) citizen they want to create, but they do deliberately structure our education system in such as way that what I described is highly likely to happen to most children who spend 12 formative years in this government created, government led system. If you don't think that is true, I challenge you to read my review of Already Gone by Ken Ham& Britt Beemer and read that book for more detailed survey results that prove it. Maybe many of the people who work in or have children in this system don't agree with that statement, but just a few pages into the book IndoctriNation will bring to light some things that were put in place many many years ago which have us already socialized in ways we don't even realize.

Again, though, I had a very tough time with this book. Not just for reasons I have described but also because the filmmakers and editor, in their notes of introduction to the book and even a couple of the authors of book portions, conveyed a tone that I did not agree with. I understand their passion for conveying this important message, but in their words some of them seemed to forget about parents like me. They wrapped all parents of publicly educated children into this package group of being "deceived" and lazy / careless about our children's education.

One such statement stands out that I would like to rebut, if I may.

Editor Charles LaVerdiere states, "Previous generations of 'We the People' gladly handed over their children, first to the one-room schoolhouse then to the government, all for convenience."

If anyone in those previous generations was like me, I can say that not all "gladly" handed their children over and likely not so much for "convenience" as much as out of necessity. I struggle internally daily with having to be far less involved with my child's daily schooling than I would like (not even being able to be on campus at his public school as much as I would like due to work obligations). And the public school system is not so much a convenience to me as it is a necessity. Poor financial decisions of my past when I was younger and even single have affected me and continue to affect our family in a way that we are unable to afford living on one income nor can we even afford a private school (not that private schools are the perfect option either).

All that said, I stuck with the book and was very thankful I did. MANY important facts are brought to light in the nearly 400 pages of this book as well as the nearly 2 hours of DVD that accompanies it. You truly should delve into this one if you have children of any age in or near "school days."

Additionally, you can join me and the other MOMS of Master Books for our 2nd "a Book and a Bite" Facebook party this Thursday evening (10/18) from 8-9pm central. Bring your favorite recipe to share, as that is our theme of these new FB parties...food!!! And of course, good books!

Want to read more reviews? Don't just take my word for it...

So...have I got you thinking...?

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

Escaping the Cauldron by Kristine McGuire

Witch, Medium, and Ghost Hunter...

That's what Kristine McGuire once was.

Christian housewife and homeschooling mother...

That's what Kristine McGuire also was prior to and during her time as a Witch, Medium, and Ghost Hunter.

Yes, as a matter of fact, she called herself a "Christian Witch." And she was one among many who call themselves that.

In Escaping the Cauldron: exposing occult influences in everyday life, Kristine shares how in spite of being raised in a Christian home she had a fascination with the occult throughout her life, even as a young child. Seemingly harmless sleep-over games were just the beginning of what turned into an immersion into occult practice later in life.

You may think you have little to nothing in common with someone who is fascinated by the occult, but much of what Kristine uncovers about occult influences in our everyday life may surprise you. {Yoga, horoscopes, and many more}

As a matter of fact, Christine shares how she felt about her life in the occult in a way that will likely surprise you overall:

I loved ghost hunting. I wanted to be a medium. What I didn't realize was the subtle influence the enemy exerted through my ghost hunting and medium activities. I thought I was following God's will for my life.

He made sure I discovered the truth.

Yes, as Kristine frequently shares, she was not unlike many many other witches and mediums. She truly thought she was helping people and was following God's plan for her.

Kristine shares much of the inner workings of the occult including practical things, such as how she practiced, as well as the vast amount of mental involvement there is in the occult. She also shares from an insider's perspective of how people are drawn away from Christianity and into the occult. Reading this book very well coincided with my recent reading and review of Already Gone which described how and why people are leaving the church so often. Kristine identifies another subset of people who are drawn away from God but often are truly trying to connect with Him in the wrong ways.

Kristine additionally shares very thoroughly yet welcomingly the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power and freedom that comes with surrendering to God and giving up the fight of running from Him and His plan for you.

I suggest in this season of harvest as we are entering fall and as Halloween is on many minds, you should read Kristine's honest, insightful recount of her life and heart as she shares it in Escaping the Cauldron.

This is the season of harvest of souls!

You may discover for yourself the freedom you are longing for and missing. You may also discover ways of connecting with and reaching those who are influenced by occult influences which are drawing them away from God.

Something to think about and share about:  
What interests you most when you think about the subject of the occult and those who practice it?

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Glass Road PR. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.