Many people don't realize that there are so many non-religious homeschoolers. The stereotypical picture of a Christian homeschool family doesn't reflect the reality of homeschooling for many families. Non-religious homeschoolers exist, whether they're atheist, agnostic or just plain avoiding the issue.
Secular Homeschool Support Groups
Meeting local secular homeschoolers can prove to be a challenge. Many larger cities have secular homeschool support groups. Sometimes the term "Inclusive" is used in lieu of "secular." An inclusive homeschool group would welcome all religions, however, and some secular homeschooling families prefer to keep social interactions non-religious.
Families who strive for non-religious homeschooling friends may search long and hard to find the environment that meets their needs. It may be wise to take advantage of one of homeschooling's greatest gifts – the ability to befriend people of diverse backgrounds and age groups. Focus on the needs and interests of the children and build social relationships around common interests, not homeschooling status. Scouting groups and hobby clubs allow children to form social relationships with people based upon a common interest.
Non Religious Homeschool Curriculum
Finding curriculum without religious dogma may be tricky. The majority of homeschool curriculum publishers are Christian. Secular homeschoolers who want to avoid the dumbed-down curricula available to public schools can opt for a nontraditional approach to education, whether it's the Charlotte Mason method, the Thomas Jefferson Method, Unschooling or Radical Unschooling.
Non Christian Homeschool Programs
Public school districts often offer homeschooling programs and many state sponsored online academies present a secular curriculum. Before enrolling in a state-sponsored homeschool program, families should be sure to check out their state's homeschooling regulations and make a conscious decision whether or not it's "worth it" to join forces with the school district. In these programs, students are often technically enrolled in public school and can be removed from homeschooling at the whim of the district.
Atheist and Agnostic Homeschoolers
Atheist homeschoolers have organized themselves online for homeschooling support since the early 1990's. Families who are seeking secular homeschool support on the internet can find websites, message boards, Facebook groups and email support groups for atheist homeschoolers and for agnostics.
Non-Religious Homeschooling Conventions
Conventions for secular homeschoolers can be a challenge. Some state-wide homeschool support groups offer conventions, but it can't be guaranteed that the event will be free from religion. The vendors and speakers that attend the event are trying to sell a product or appeal to an audience that they expect will be religious. So unless the event is marketed specifically without religion, then it's unlikely that the experience will be one a secular family will enjoy. Unschooling conferences are typically not religious. The annual Rethinking Everything (formerly Rethinking Education) and Life is Good Conferences, held over Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day Weekend are non religious and both focus on unschooling.
As of 2010, homeschool families without religion are still a minority in the homeschooling community. They're not without a voice, though and new resources are being created, from websites, message boards, email groups and internet-based social groups and even magazines.
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
