Pearls Of Little Wisdom

Obviously, I've been away for awhile. The most recent topic has kind of had me in a tailspin over the last few weeks and I haven't been able to offer much salt and light lately. When I get that way, it's better if I keep my distance from anything too serious for awhile.

However, today while reading some blogs that haven't been to for awhile, I found that another child, though not a local one to me, has died of the abuse inflicted upon her by parents who follow the teachings of Mike and Debi Pearl, authors of the book To Train Up A Child  and founders of the ministry of No Greater Joy.

The following is a quote from the blog of Elizabeth Esther:

"Hana Grace-Rose Williams, an Ethopian child adopted into a Christian homeschooling family, died on May 12, 2011 because her parents starved her, abused her and left her outside on a cold night. Her parents have just been charged with murder.

Please. We must stop Mike & Debi Pearl before more children die. Tweet this post. Share it on FB. Tweet the hashtag #NoMoreDeadKids. Talk to your pastor. Ask him/her to tell parents not to buy or use this book. If you are in the Christian homeschooling community, then I’m sure you’ve seen and heard about “To Train Up a Child.” Please help me speak out. Be courageous! Children are dying. Your bravery may save a child’s life. "  End quote.

Do some research into Mike and Debi Pearl and be aware of the book To Train Up A Child. This book is very popular in Christian circles, particularly those circles who home school their children.  The links to the right are a good place to start. I would direct your attention specifically to the blogs of Elizabeth Esther and Tulip Girl. Both have devoted much of their blog time over the years to the subject of spiritual and physical abuse in "godly" child rearing and have spent much more time on the Pearls than I can properly give here in this post. 

I want it understood that I am not against Christianity nor homeschooling, but I do want to be part of the voice that discourages the Pearls from being able to ever sell another book on child rearing. They are grossly unqualified. Neither has any formal training in education or child development, let alone theology, yet they manage to peddle their materials like they have authority on either subject.  Because of the Pearl's teachings, at least three children are dead, with the most recent being poor Hana. Who knows how many others have been abused as a result of the Pearls urging.