Heaven or Harvard?

Question

What is more important to you in your child's education, intellectual achievement (represented by getting into a top college, like Harvard), or spiritual growth (represented by getting into heaven)? I know that one does not necessarily exclude the other, but I'm interested in hearing what people think is more important. Which do you place more emphasis on? Why? Thanks.

Answer 1

We have always held the firm belief that it was more important to focus on our children's character than anything else.

Academics are great, and necessary, but as you pointed out, one does not exclude the other, as long as they are in the right order on the priority list.

We value integrity, since that will be the foundation on which they will be basing their choices, and decisions in life.

As Christian parents we find it a privilege, as well as an awesome responsibility to make sure they will have the both the knowledge, and courage to be that person that God wants them to be.

We do not educate our children to have them conform to society's view of success, but rather we provide an education, with love, and support by giving them the choice as to what they would need to do in life.

God has a plan for them, He will reveal it to them as time unfolds; He is the giver of their talents.

Answer 2

How about a third "H"? Happy...as a parent that one is most important to me. However, if I had to pick from the two you offer, I would pick Heaven. Education is only for the living, but Heaven is forever.

Answer 3

Harvard was started by the Clergy.  It is a religious school.  So is Duke (Methodist), so is Notre Dame (Catholic).  So is Yale.  USC is also Methodist.

They all have Chappels, they all have Chaplins, they all have Religious invocations.  It's just not manditory.

Answer 4

We brought our son out of public school for 2 reasons.  My reason was because he was not learning.  My husband's reason was based on the bad behavior of the teens who rode the bus he drove.  

We have come to the conclusion after 2 years of homeschooling that we would prefer the character over the academics.  It is nice to be able to see improvement in both since schooling at home but if we do not model and teach good character, we have failed as parents and as teachers.

Answer 5

Heaven is more important!  What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul? (Mark 8:36)

Of course, as you pointed out, the two do not exclude each other. My children are receiving an excellent academic education in addition to a spiritual one.  I believe God gave us our minds, and if we do not use them to their full potential we are in essence burying our talents in the ground. (See Matthew chapter 25)  God wants us to give ourselves body and mind over to His use, for His glory (Romans 6:13).  He wants us to develop our minds, but be yielded to Him.  He wants us to study His word, so we will be fully equipped to every good work (2 Timothy 2:15)  In order to do that we need to at least know how to read, so obviously God is not opposed to education.  

The key is that all should be done for His glory, as we seek to live out His will and plan for our lives.

Answer 6

I homeschool for educational and social reasons not religious reasons.  That being said I do not believe that intellectual achievement is necessarily represented by getting into an Ivy League school.  

There's an interesting book called "Colleges that Change Lives" by Loren Pope that discusses how even many former Ivy League presidents and admissions people admit that the Ivy League is more hype than substance.  It's like the night club with the line outside that isn't anymore wonderful than any other club in town.  The Ivy League is not the only place to reach intellectual achievement, and it may even be the last place to do so.  An Ivy League educations isn't a golden ticket.

So I would have to choose Heaven, because hopefully the codes they learn to reach Heaven will make them happier, wiser, and more productive people on earth.

Answer 7

Heaven. While academic achievement is important, it's how a person *is* that determines not only their success and well-being in life, but how they can contribute to society. I know someone who had top marks all the way through school, even became a doctor, but I wouldn't say this classmate has a great adult life. He seems lost, immature, kind of just being rather than really living.

Answer 8

To me spiritual growth is more important than Harvard! That's not to say that intellectual growth is not important but teaching my children about the love and salvation that Jesus Christ offers is more important to us. I would love for my kids to attend a university! not Harvard! because of the secular teachings but I would prefer a Christian university!

Answer 9

For me, it's Harvard.  From what I've observed, people with high intellect (Harvard) can easily grasp and enact the values (spiritual growth) you want them to learn.  Although I honestly think they go hand-in-hand.

Answer 10

Spirituality is most important to me. If I had a child, I would teach them about Jesus because having that relationship with Christ is most important. We need to live for Him and we need to live knowing this life is brief and after this is eternity. ~ My sister said that. And I may add, education is impotant as well, but I wouldn't make them go t harvard or a certain college, that's there choice on where to go. But yes, both are important, but spiritual growth is more important. <3

Answer 11

Spiritual growth is more important for my child. There is nothing wrong with going to an ivy league school, but it doesn't matter what you acheive in life if you are not set for eternity.

Answer 12

A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.  Harvard is temporary, but a puff of smoke in the wind, as our lives.  A relationship with our God, Jesus Christ is the most important thing in the world and eternity.

Answer 13

If I were standing on the edge of a cliff and had to decide, I would say heaven 100% of the time.  We know not the day or the hour in which we will be called home.  The year before graduation or the six months afterward, there could be illness or and accident that takes my child.  I know where I want them to be headed whenever that day comes.

Answer 14

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS MORE IMPORTANT WHICH IS NOT TO SAY YOU CAN'T GET BOTH AT HARVARD. IF YOU RAISE YOUR CHILD PROPERLY HE/SHE WILL BE OK IN BOTH AREAS. IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS WE READ; RAISE UP A CHILD IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD AND HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM THEM WHEN HE IS OLD.

Answer 15

"Getting into heaven" would imply the scientifically unproven existence of two separate afterlives; heaven and h**l.

I am guessing here that you are wondering how many homeschoolers are doing so for religious reasons, or likewise, how many are doing so for academic reasons.

Personally, as a parent, my child's entire development is a reason to homeschool.

Institutionalized education can't possibly serve the entire child, as an individual, because in every area of their day they are made "part of the machine" and their individual preferences and decisions are belittled, bullied out of them, and ignored.  

Institutionalized education also fails the children academically, because no classroom can possibly teach each child at their own level, so classrooms tend to teach to the "lowest common denominator" making intelligent kids wait while the rest of the kids catch up, or by forcing the less intelligent kids to move on without a full understanding of the material.

Humans are naturally inquisitive, and naturally "good."  I don't personally buy into the philosophy that we must indoctrinate our children with "religion" to the detriment of honest moral behavior and ethical treatment of one another.  I also don't think that every child is cut out for "Harvard" (although Harvard accepts more homeschoolers than any other Ivy League University) and that instead of aiming for Harvard as parents, we need to aim for the "best possible outcome" for each child.  There's room in the world for a huge range of professions in the world, and if a child's aspirations and abilities cause them to love the work of a carpenter, then hopefully they'll find that work and be the best darned carpenter there is.  

I think sometimes as parents, all we can do is give them all the best tools possible, and hope that as they're making their way through the world as adults, they find happiness in being productive and useful to society.  Hopefully, they will understand and use the tools available to them to create the life they want to live, instead of being limited by a feeling of lack of resources, opportunities, etc.

Answer 16

Since the question is asking me about my childs education, I will say harvard.  Their spritual growth is a journey that I can suggest to them.  They need to find their path.  I will not push any value onto them like my parents did to me.  I can pray to God and ask that he keeps them and guide them accordingly (Plus a good example at home is most necessary)

OH BROTHER!!!!!

Answer 17

Heaven.  Eternity will be much longer than their career.

Answer 18

I am not concerned with my kids getting into a "top college" as much as I am concerned about their spiritual growth and their development into responsible, caring, citizens.  I believe that people who believe in a higher power have a sense of accountability to do good.  

If my child ends up at a mediocre school, but that school prepares them for LIFE, that is far greater than attending a school with a reputation that may not prepare them for future life's lessons.  There are only so many things that you can learn from a book.