HOD's History

[novagirl]

I am wondering if someone can tell me what HOD's history is like. I have always thought that America was a christian nation but have been reading some quotes from the likes of Jefferson and others and have found out that they really weren't christians but actually Deists. Obviously every thing that our nation does is not godly, abortion being one of them. It seems that many curriculums I have seen paint such a rosy picture of our past. Don't get me wrong, I am glad to be American, it is a great BLESSING to be here but I also want to teach truthfully. I realize with younger ages, we can't go too deep into things, but I guess I want to skip the syrupy sweet stuff you know?

If you wonder what I mean about our founding fathers not being christian, here is a quote from Thomas Jefferson.
But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

I am more looking for a history that will teach children what the times were like, how people lived, with the basic facts. Hope I didn't step on any toes as I said all of this. I am looking at purchasing Beyond, but none of the history books have previews online anywhere, so I dont know what to think. Thanks Jennifer

[Mom2Monkeys]

Perhaps in context with that quote, he meant he is not the one hurt by someone else believing in mutiple or no gods, but rather the person that holds that belief? I'm not hurt by my non-believing neighbors' beliefs, but I know they are in the end...and I hurt for them and pray that they and others will come to know Him. I know that our country went through so much to be able to escape non-Christian religions and wanted the freedom of religion (as in freedom to worship God, not freedom to worship many Gods, etc.)

HOD takes an excellent approach to history that perfectly fits the child's level, and I feel it is truthful and accurate with lessons that show God's hand in it all, even if the people involved were not godly or believers.

[dale1088]

Well said, Tamara.

[novagirl]

Well, here is another direct quote that is unmistakable, Ben Franklin considered himself a deist:

My parents had early given me religious impressions, and brought me through my childhood piously in the dissenting [puritan]way. But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several points, as I found them disputed in the different books I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself. Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle's lectures. [Robert Boyle (1627-1691) was a British physicist who endowed the Boyle Lectures for defense of Christianity.]It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough deist"
[Benjamin Franklin, "Autobiography,"p.66 as published in The American Tradition in Literature, seventh edition (short), McGraw-Hill,p.18

Either way, I am just trying to get a feel for what HOD teaches about Am History.

[Mom2Monkeys]

I guess the only thing that can be said is the same as I ended my last post....HOD shows God's providential hand in all of history as HIStory, no matter the people involved or their religious views. God's hand is in everything and HOD is great at showing that to my kids, as well as showing them the character (or lack thereof) of the people being discussed. They are challenged to see how a person showed godly character or how they could have shown more or how they didn't show any at all. I'm certain you will enjoy the history and approve of the approach. I know it the younger years, there's not much issue...it's events and the people taking part in them. In the older years, I'm certain the Biblical approach to History being HIStory will be the main focus, along with the character and moral fiber or those involved, whether good or bad.

[novagirl]

I guess the only thing that can be said is the same as I ended my last post....HOD shows God's providential hand in all of history as HIStory, no matter the people involved or their religious views. God's hand is in everything and HOD is great at showing that to my kids, as well as showing them the character (or lack thereof) of the people being discussed. They are challenged to see how a person showed godly character or how they could have shown more or how they didn't show any at all. I'm certain you will enjoy the history and approve of the approach. I know it the younger years, there's not much issue...it's events and the people taking part in them. In the older years, I'm certain the Biblical approach to History being HIStory will be the main focus, along with the character and moral fiber or those involved, whether good or bad.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! You have been a great help, that is what I wanted to get the gist of, does it show the good and the bad and how I can use that to explain to the children or is it all "peachy keen" Americana type stuff. Thank you so much!!!

[srp1997]

Jennifer,

I can speak for the Bigger guide. The main history readings are taken from two books written at the turn of the century that were editted and republished. They are very easy to read aloud. There is a conversational nature to the style of writing. The First Book in American History is more of a narrative of American history whereas the Stories of Great Americans has a modified biography feel to it like what you would find in the Childhoods of Famous Americans series except the stories are short and can come from any time period of the characters life. The Journeys in Time book is also used and it simply gives an illustrated timeline of twenty events in our nation's history. The focus of both books is more character than religion. As I glance back through both books I don't see God or faith mentioned. The fine character of Americans is highlighted as much as possible. One of the poems in the Stories... book refers to sin. The Bible section of the day applies the memory verse of the week to good and bad character traits that have come up in the
history reading.

In the extensions package, A Child's Story of America is used. This book is optional. This book is published by Christian Liberty Press and has a more christian feel to it. It has text boxes within a page that give quotes from a famous American. Examples of this would be: thoughts from Governor Bradford ending with -"...let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise", exerpts from Christopher Columbus-"I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy and they have covered me completely", and George Washington's rules for living including "When you speak of God, or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence". I love this personally. Just like you and I have come upon uncomplementary quotes from Early Americans, there are many solid, worthy quotes from our founding fathers as well. I didn't learn these things in school. I am not learning it now from NBC Nightly News and CNN. Honestly, I pulled a few of the above readings for my kids even though they weren't a part of the lesson. I also read some stories about the great awakenings and the lead up to the Revolution from the book Sea to Shining Sea. We watched a re-enactment of the meeting at St. John's Church where Patrick Henry's "Give me Liberty or Death" speech was given. There is no way to mistake the reverence and faith he had in God.

I agree with you that a sugary sweet impression of the founding fathers being in total agreement and of one mind in all matters is not accurate. HOD' Bigger guide does not promote this.

I hope this helps.
Sarah

[novagirl]

Jennifer,

I can speak for the Bigger guide. The main history readings are taken from two books written at the turn of the century that were editted and republished. They are very easy to read aloud. There is a conversational nature to the style of writing. The First Book in American History is more of a narrative of American history whereas the Stories of Great Americans has a modified biography feel to it like what you would find in the Childhoods of Famous Americans series except the stories are short and can come from any time period of the characters life. The Journeys in Time book is also used and it simply gives an illustrated timeline of twenty events in our nation's history. The focus of both books is more character than religion. As I glance back through both books I don't see God or faith mentioned. The fine character of Americans is highlighted as much as possible. One of the poems in the Stories... book refers to sin. The Bible section of the day applies the memory verse of the week to good and bad character traits that have come up in the
history reading.

In the extensions package, A Child's Story of America is used. This book is optional. This book is published by Christian Liberty Press and has a more christian feel to it. It has text boxes within a page that give quotes from a famous American. Examples of this would be: thoughts from Governor Bradford ending with -"...let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise", exerpts from Christopher Columbus-"I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy and they have covered me completely", and George Washington's rules for living including "When you speak of God, or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence". I love this personally. Just like you and I have come upon uncomplementary quotes from Early Americans, there are many solid, worthy quotes from our founding fathers as well. I didn't learn these things in school. I am not learning it now from NBC Nightly News and CNN. Honestly, I pulled a few of the above readings for my kids even though they weren't a part of the lesson. I also read some stories about the great awakenings and the lead up to the Revolution from the book Sea to Shining Sea. We watched a re-enactment of the meeting at St. John's Church where Patrick Henry's "Give me Liberty or Death" speech was given. There is no way to mistake the reverence and faith he had in God.

I agree with you that a sugary sweet impression of the founding fathers being in total agreement and of one mind in all matters is not accurate. HOD' Bigger guide does not promote this.

I hope this helps.
Sarah

Sarah, thank you! That helps me out tremendously! That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

[Carrie]

Sarah,

The ladies are doing such a good job of helping you with your questions. It's interesting to note that in History for Little Pilgrims (which is used in LHFHG) that Jefferson is mentioned as not believing in the miracles of the Bible and actually cutting any pages referring to the miracles out of his Bible. His long-time friend John Adams and he had a long-going discussion about Christ and the Bible that lasted up until their deaths.

At HOD, we do strive to be factual and balanced when presenting information about our founding fathers, however we do also want to lift up that which is of worth in the Lord's eyes. You'll find this to be true as you work through the various books scheduled within our guides. We choose very carefully that which we schedule to be read, knowing that little minds are impressionable, and we must answer to our Lord one day for what we place before our children to read.

Blessings,
Carrie