Germany Imprisons Mum. Dad and Kids Flee to Austria
From the desk of Alexandra Colen on Tue, 2006-09-12 21:11
Last Thursday the German police arrested Katharina Plett, a homeschooling mother of twelve. Yesterday her husband fled to Austria with the children. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany since Hitler banned it in 1938. The Plett family belongs to a homeschooling group of seven Baptist families in Paderborn. We wrote about their case last year.
Stefan Sedlaczek of the Catholic website kreuz.net heard about her arrest on Saturday. He reports today that a female plain-clothes police officer rang at Katharina Plett’s house on Thursday around 11:00 am. When she opened the door other police officers, who had hidden themselves, forced their way in. Mrs Plett was allowed to change, but a police officer followed her into her bedroom in case “she would arm herself and shoot us all.” The woman was able to inform her husband by mobile phone before the police brought her to Bielefeld.
The authorities later informed her husband that she has been imprisoned in Gelsenkirchen. Apparently she has been given a ten day prison sentence. When Sedlaczek rang the Gelsenkirchen prison authorities to get confirmation of Katharina Plett’s whereabouts, he was told that no information would be given. A written request for information has so far not been answered either. Unless we are mistaken, the German mainstream media have not written anything about this case yet.
Yesterday, Katharina’s husband fled with their children to a Christian family center in Wolfgangsee in Austria. A homeschooling couple from Hamburg has also fled to Wolfgangsee. Their case was covered in the media. In Austria parents are entitled to homeschool during a one year trial period, after which the authorities decide whether the parents are allowed to continue homeschooling or not.
Homeschooling Illegal
Submitted by aka1 on Wed, 2006-09-27 16:18.
We are praying for all the families of Germany who are homeschooling or want to. I am saddened to hear how devious and cruel the German officals are being with these families. I had always thought of Germany in a different light.
Parents are their childrens first teachers and the best teachers for their children. Strong familes make strong nations. Don't give up the fight.
We have home educated from the beginning (I taught in American public and Christian schools.) and wouldn't put my children in government schools for the world. My children are happy, social, inventive, and love to learn. All that would be squashed in public school.
Revolting & Disgusting
Submitted by Shoshona Bat·Zion on Thu, 2006-09-14 23:40.
It is beyond belief that Germany is still enforcing a law that was written for one reason only -- to be used by hitler to control and indoctrinate German youth. It had no other redeeming value.
For today's modern Germany to assume their current coercive practice is benign, is to forget their own past. The very fact that the police came out in a military-style raid to arrest a peaceful, middle-aged Christian mother of 12 children speaks volumes about how they are still emulating their fathers and grandfathers (SS stormtroopers, anyone?).
Germany MUST re-evaluate this abusive remnant of naziism and find ways to allow for educational and religious freedom. Otherwise, they may find other ways to make other practices from hitler's horrors into official German policy... (((shudder)))
Homeschooling is illegal in Germany
Submitted by Brian Soper on Wed, 2006-09-13 17:46.
I have no problem with home schooling for the most part. I feel parents should have a right to choose the methods they feel are best to educate their children.
BUT
It appears that Homeschooling is illegal in Germany. I don't thick this is right, but until circumstances change, how exactly are the Pletts doing what is best for their children?
There comes a point where parental idealism becomes a selfish endeavour in and of itself. In fact every grownup can relate stories of parental zeal; some happily and more not so.
This particular story has no traction.
Sorry
Homescooling Illegal in Germany
Submitted by Judsy on Sat, 2006-09-16 12:37.
Do you have children,Brian? I home school five. They are a gift from God and we as parents must protect them from ungodly attacks until they are able to do so on their own. To give our children over to ungodly teaching that could permanently pervert their thinking and turn them away from God rather than to God is a crime far worse than disobeying an unjust law imposed by a country. If we decide to disobey, however, we must be willing to accept the consequences. This story does have traction--this is only one issue, but it could easily spread to other issues as well. Where do we draw the line on state interference in our personal affairs? Tomorrow they could take some right away from you?
my prayers are with her today
Submitted by Tito on Wed, 2006-09-13 10:41.
I plan on praying for her quick release and safety as well as her families safety. I hope this doesn't ever happen here in the United States.
I have homeschooled in the
Submitted by leticia on Thu, 2006-09-14 13:50.
I have homeschooled in the USA for 9 years, although I am a certified public school teacher, and work in a community college part time. I know the brainwashing the liberal establishment subject the students to, and I won't let my three daughters be taught that sex is merely recreational, that marriage is outdated, and that abortion is not murder.I know why Hitler didn't like homeschooling, we parents get to form children according to our values, NOT those of the State.
AI
Submitted by Cogito on Wed, 2006-09-13 00:00.
I suppose Amnesty International reacts with an immediate emergency action?
Gelsenkirchen jail
Submitted by Paul Belien on Tue, 2006-09-12 21:43.
Mrs Plett is currently in Gelsenkirchen jail. I do not know whether she understands English, but here is her current address for those who want to write a letter or postcard of support:
Frau Katharina Plett
c/o JVA Gelsenkirchen
Aldenhofstr. 99-101
45883 Gelsenkirchen
Tel.: 0209/ 4021-0
Fax: 0209/4021-301
Wait!
Submitted by Taurus689 on Mon, 2012-01-30 17:50.
Home schooling will be soon forbidden in the US. If we reelect the "Progressive" government who now rules us, homeschooling is finished. These people believe that having a Congress is too weighty and inefficient as is the Constitution that established it. I wouldn't be surprised if this November marked the last Presidential election to take place in the US. The future will be governance by Presidential decree AKA Executive Order.
The Republicans are busy butchering each other to the delight of the Democrats. I sometimes wonder if there's a bit of cooperation between the two parties. Perhaps "collusion" would be a more appropriate word.
Wait!
Submitted by Taurus689 on Mon, 2012-01-30 17:50.
Home schooling will be soon forbidden in the US. If we reelect the "Progressive" government who now rules us, homeschooling is finished. These people believe that having a Congress is too weighty and inefficient as is the Constitution that established it. I wouldn't be surprised if this November marked the last Presidential election to take place in the US. The future will be governance by Presidential decree AKA Executive Order.
The Republicans are busy butchering each other to the delight of the Democrats. I sometimes wonder if there's a bit of cooperation between the two parties. Perhaps "collusion" would be a more appropriate word.