A German family has moved to Tennessee and is seeking political asylum in the United States. Germany is a democratic nation and close ally of the US. So why would a German family seek political asylum here?
It has to do with compulsory school attendance in Germany, and the Christian homeschooling movement here.
Newsweek hasreported on the situation:
Homeschooling is so important to Uwe Romeike that the classically trained pianist sold his beloved grand pianos to pay for moving his wife and five children from Germany to the Smoky Mountain foothills of Tennessee.
Romeike (roh-MY'-kee), his wife Hannelore, and their children live in a modest duplex about 40 miles northeast of Knoxville while they seek political asylum here. They say they were persecuted for their evangelical Christian beliefs and homeschooling their children in Germany, where school attendance is compulsory.
Of course, this story confirms the worst fears of American evangelicals that Europe is a godless, evil continent, intent on indoctrinating innocent children with "socialist" theories, such as evolution.
The right-wing blog WorldNetDaily is having a field day with the story, accusing Germany of "Nazi-era" persecution of Christians and claiming that German schools force "sex studies" on young pupils:
The parents want to provide their children's education because of the propaganda included in modern German textbooks that violates the family's religious beliefs. This includes explicit lessons on sex, the promotion of the occult and witchcraft and an effort to teach children to disrespect authority figures, the family said.
It is estimated that more than 1.5 million children in the US receive Christian home-schooling. What exactly are these kids learning? Are they taught that the earth is six thousands years old? That early humans roamed the earth with the dinosaurs? Should parents have the right to prevent their children from learning science and history?