From Michael Farris of the HSLDA in the USA:
I am amazed by the public response to the Romeikes’ story of a surprising turnaround victory. Over 250,000 people read the story just on my personal FB page. Nearly 1.5 million people read it on HSLDA’s FB page. And, of course, there were many news stories and other outlets. The public response was overwhelming.
A reporter asked me why I thought the public was reacting in this way. Here was my basic answer:
There are times when an event touches the heart of what it means to be an American. There are controversial aspects of nearly every issue–including both immigration and religion. But, when a family wants to come here lawfully and seeks nothing more from America than the freedom to practice their faith with their own family, our country is united. We welcome good people who seek this freedom.
People were outraged when our nation seemed not only to turn its back on this family, but on the essence of why America was founded in the first place. We rejoiced with the victory knowing that a thread of freedom is still possible.
We want America to always be refuge for people who face persecution and who need a place where freedom to follow God is possible.
~~Michael Farris
My response:
What does this say about New Zealand? We had a home schooling family, who had lived here peacefully for over 5 years, declined Asylum and then have threatening letters about being deported in the near future. They returned to Germany under this threat just before they could be deported. To quote Michael Farris “our nation seemed not only to turn its back on this family, but on the essence of why America was founded in the first place. We rejoiced with the victory knowing that a thread of freedom is still possible.”
Our Nation did turned it’s back on our German family. What freedoms do we still have in New Zealand. Can New Zealand ever be a refuge for people who face persecution and who need a place where freedom to follow God is possible?
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From the Smiths:
https://hef.org.nz/2011/craig-smith-26-january-1951-to-30-september-2011/
Updated 2 February 2013: One year on (Craig Smith’s Health) page 7 click here
Needing help for your home schooling journey:
https://hef.org.nz/2011/needing-help-for-your-home-schooling-journey-2/
And
Here are a couple of links to get you started home schooling:
Information on getting started: https://hef.org.nz/getting-started-2/
and
Information on getting an exemption: https://hef.org.nz/exemptions/
This link is motivational: https://hef.org.nz/2012/home-schooling-what-is-it-all-about/
Exemption Form online: https://hef.org.nz/2012/home-schooling-exemption-form-now-online/
Coming Events: https://hef.org.nz/2013/some-coming-events-for-home-education-during-2013-2/
“Equality does not mean we must redefine marriage. Same-sex couples have the option of civil unions to recognise their relationship so there is no need for redefining marriage. If the law was redefined to allow same-sex marriage, and only same-sex marriage, we would then be discriminating against those seeking, for example, polygamous, polyamorous, or adult incest unions,” says Mr McCoskrie. “If we are going to have a debate about same-sex marriage and liberalising adoption laws, it is essential that the politicians acknowledge just how far this is going to go.”
Bob McCoskrie