An Atheist Homeschooler
“You are a homeschooler? And an atheist???” I have heard this question several times in the last 1.5 years since I started my homeschooling journey with my children. The idea seems absurd. Don’t people homeschool for the lack of religious education and prayer in public schools? Isn’t it “you people” who have banned those things from our public schools? Why, in “God’s” name would you homeschool? It seems I’m breaking into an elite. I’m going somewhere that only Christians should be allowed in. I’m the minority of a minority.
Of course it wasn’t atheists who have banned prayer from public schools. Although it is quite convenient to blame us for that. After all we are the personified evil, therefore anything that’s bad is blamed on us. Atheists are so unpopular in America that even former President Bush announced we should not have the right to call ourselves citizens. We simply lack patriotism. Oh good, I’m NOT a citizen (I’m German), so at least I can be an atheist all I want. 
So why do we homeschool? I’ll be honest. My initial reason has nothing to do with religion and everything with a very poor public school system. I still lived in Arizona, when it was time for me to decide which elementary school to send my daughter to. I drove past the school that she would most likely go to… and I was horrified. The brick building had no windows, a very high fence, and it was hermetically sealed, it seems. You can’t get in and you can’t get out. You are their prisoner for 6 and later 7 long hours. My child in there? My child who feels locked in even when she does have a window? No way. I researched my alternatives and soon met a homeschooling Mom of two incredibly cute little girls. And while she homeschooled for religious reasons the idea sounded wonderful to me. I read books, joined homeschooling groups in the area and was soon convinced that homeschooling was the way to go.
We have since moved to Oregon and joined a homeschooling “school” (offering supplemental classes) in our town. People from all walks of life come together to do one thing for our children, provide the best education they can get. Obviously I have had my encounters with Christians who, after several months of knowing me, had to find out that I’m atheist and are now struggling. “Do I treat her nicely or just stop talking to her altogether?” The latter is almost impossible since I am putting a lot of volunteer hours into this school. I’m part of their inventory. The reaction I get a lot of the time is “Ooooh, you’re an aaaatheist. Well, isn’t it nice that we are adults and can discuss these things nicely…” accompanied by the sweetest smile. I don’t see why I need to discuss these things, but if it makes them feel better, so be it.
About 30% of homeschoolers are non-Christian these days… I would call this a success, and I know the numbers are constantly rising. There are now secular homeschooling yahoogroups, secular curricula, secular homeschooling coops. Don’t have one in your area? Start one. As they say… if you build it they will come. You will be surprised how many atheists are out there, still a little shy about coming out, just waiting for others to do it first. So here… I am atheist homeschooler, and it feels darn good.
Actually I went to school with some home schooled atheist kids. They were twins and they were cool…little weird, but most homeschool kids are (no offense meant). They were crazy smart too. Like of this world blow your mind smart.
So go you. Glad you broke into the homeschooler circle. Now go and corrupt Christian kids with your heathen children!
It might be impossible to believe for americans but there are many people who don’t define themselves or social interactions by their religious or non religious beliefs. In some places that is as private and meaningless as answering what was the name of your first boyfriend or where were your parents from.
>(no offense meant)
None taken.
You are very right. There are lots of weird homeschoolers. Our “school” is living proof for that. I have seen some of the funkiest people there. But they’re great too.
HELLO TO ALL! Wh
Great first post, Miss PDX! I love the unique point of view. Looking forward to more.
How does your hubby like it?
Thank you.
Hubby loves it.
I am so glad to see other atheist homeschoolers! I am glad to see we are not the only “weird” ones! Your blog is great, many thanks.
We are also secular homeschoolers and have frequently encountered the Christian-homeschooler stereotype. But more frequently have just encountered envy from our dual-income friends who love the idea of homeschooling their children.
Hi there, Miss Pdx…I stumbled on your blog today while doing a search for atheist or “free thinking” homeschool groups. Thank you so much for posting this…I’d been starting to feel like I may be the only atheist homeschooler out there. We, too, moved from AZ to OR in 2005 (I grew up in Glendale but had been living for many years in Tucson), and I’m currently searching for a homeschooling group to join that will respect my atheist views. When I was reading your blog, it’s like I was reading exerpts from my own life experiences. Thank you so much for renewing my strength and conviction that my daughter and I can integrate into a homeschooling group despite our beliefs (or lack there of, haha). I’d love to know to which group in Portland you belong, if you’re comfortable sharing that info with me. Thanks again for posting…you’re an inspiration!
I think this site is awesome. I just recently found the “truth” and realized how wrong christianity was. It is very comforting to see other people, especially moms, dealing with the same things I am. I have really thought about homeschooling my children and was not sure if I could even get any material that was not chritstian. Thanks for helping me see that I am not alone.
HAVING PATIENCE I LEARNED. LOVE, FUN A JOYFUL AND HAPPY HOME; LEARNING BY THE WAY, LEARN THE STYLE YOUR CHILD LEARNS BEST FIRST AND THEN LET HIM LEARN THAT WAY. LETTING THE CHILD LEAD CHECK OUT UNSCHOOLING SITES WHERE ARE THE ATHEIST SITES I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO OTHER MOM AND DADS THAT ARE ATHEIST. I AM ALONE AS IN THIS COMMUNITY ONLY HOME EDUCATING MOM IN THIS RURAL TOWN I LIVE IN. PLEASE CONTACT ME AN ATHEIST dandgwh@srt.com Blessings TO YOUNG AND OLD
WE UNSCHOOL DESCHOOL WE HOME EDUCATE BUT NEVER CALL IT HOME SCHOOLING BECAUSE IT HAS TO DO WITH NOT SCHOOLING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND DESCHOOLING AND DE STRESSING FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS OUR WAY WE ARE ALWAYS LEARNING MY CHILD LEARNS MOSTLY WHAT SHES INTERESTS IN BUT SHE EVENTUALLY LEARNS EVERYTHING FOR HER AGE AND HER GRADE LEVEL BUT NOT ON A GRADE LEVEL SHE IS IN A DIFFERENT GRADE LEVEL FOR ALL SUBJECTS . BUT IF THE SCHOOL AND STATE WANTS A GRADE LEVEL WE JUST TELL THEM A GRADE . ALSO FOR TESTING WE SKIP THAT GRADE ALL TOGETHER . THE SCHOOL THINKS SO .WE ELIMINATE ALL TESTINGS . WE DONT BELIEVE IN TESTINGS BUT DO BELEIVE ITS GOOD TO KNOW WHAT LEVEL YOUR CHILD IS AT SO YOU CAN GEWT THAT LEVEL BOOKS FOR CHILD. FOR EXAMPLE MY CHILD IS IN 1-6 GRADE MATH AND READING 6-8 GRADE -ADULT LEVEL READING SCIENCE HISTORY ART MUSIC THE WAY ABOVE THE MATH LEVEL BUT SHES WORKING AT HER LEVEL AND PACE AND MOVE UP AT HER PACE AS SLOW OR FAST AS SHE WANTS TO. GO TO UNSCHOOLING SITES. I HAVE GONE AND VISITED MANY CHURCHES AND STUDIED THEIR LIFE STYLES TRADITIONS AND RELIGION SO I CAN LEARN THIER WAYS AND SERVICES. sOME RELIGIONS HAD ONE GOD SOME HAVE MANY GODS OR NO GOD.I CAN NOT PROOVE THERE IS A GOD BUT SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY NATURE AND HISTORY ARCHEOLOGY HAS PROOVEN THAT jESUS WAS A REAL MAN OF COURSE AND DURING THE BIBLE TIMES HE TRYED SO MANY WAYS TO GET FOLLOWERS. bACK THEN THEY CRUCIFIED PEOPLE FOR THEIR BELIEFS FAITH OR THE WAY THEY WANTED TO LIVE. I AM AN ATHEIST .IWAS BROUGHT UYP WITH FAITH IN ONE GOD ONLY ONE BELIEVED IN THE TRINITY AND BEILVED EVERY THING IN THE BIBLE. NOW I PRETTY MUCH BELIEVE NOTHING FROM THIS BIG BOOK OF MYTH IT IS JUST ONE BIG MYTH. Iif you want because i do need support of friends who do not believe in a God. I think I got smarter because God does not exist. I LOVE MY SELF CAN BE STRONG WITH OUT A HIGHER POWER AND BE SUCCESSFUL WITH OUT A GOD ONE OR MANY OR DRAGONS OR FAIREYS I BELIEF THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT BELIEVES IN THE OCCULT THE PAGANISM STUFF . pEOPLE USED TO GET DRESSED UP LIKE MONSTERS TO SCARE AWAY EVIL SPIRITS THAT THEY ALSO BELIEVED IN. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THEY THOUGHT THAT DRESSING UP WOULD SCARE PEOPLE TO STAY OFF THEIR PROPERTY AND STEALING THEIR ANIMALS OR CROPS.All religions are a myth because they started out being myths and are still remaining as they were from the beginning they are still myths never changing. some people can have faith in something they dont see or have any evidence it exists that way. Yes people animals trees and plants all natural creations did exist but no one knows how we got here in the first place. Sientists are working on it . Just look at the Discovery channel they found some one far back a the ardi monkey . I love to discuss persons interests and get to know them respecting them and their ideas of life loving and we all want to find a way to deal with pain and sufferings we all want to find love. many peopel can find all 3 Well I am atheist becuase of science technology History now and our future history of the people of this earth. learning ways to live together in harmony blessings to all atheists I still count mine no matter where they came from. Dianne ND
Do you realize that capital letters stand for screaming online?
You think you got “smarter” because you don’t believe in God anymore? I’d hate to see how dumb you were before that then….damn.
Hello wonderland! I am so glad that I found this site and yes, I am writing Xmas eve. My son is almost 4 years old. I am from Spain and we are living in Kadena Japan. We are military and moving to Alabama in July to stay there for two years. After flirting with the idea of homeschooling for two years I find no other alternative now. Thanks for all your postings they are inspiring and moving. Happy new year to all of you!
Do you have a site that talks about your week to week experiences with homeschooling…any curriculum materials you use, advise, etc. for the freethinking homeschooling parents?
I’ve got a second grader and a boy starting kindergarden next year, but I’ve decided to homeschool.