Schools claim Lucifer as model and guardian
Bill Bumpas - OneNewsNow
California's capital city offers two Waldorf-inspired public schools -- John Morse Waldorf Methods School (K-8), and the high school George Washington Carver School of Arts and Sciences. The Sacramento City Unified School District now is facing a trial in federal court on allegations that those schools are religious, making them ineligible to receive taxpayer dollars.
The lawsuit, filed in 1998 by the group People for Legal and Nonsectarian Schools, is just now making it to trial after several appeals. In an interview with The Sacramento Bee, the president of PLANS uses phrases like "cult-like religious sect" and "new-age religion" to describe the activities at the schools.
Dr. Bruce Shortt, author of The Harsh Truth about Public Schools, explains to OneNewsNow that the Waldorf system is based on a dangerous philosophy called "anthroposophy" from the writings of 19th-century Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner.
"And in those writings he basically posits that the universe is driven by conflict between Lucifer and the god of darkness called 'Ahriman' -- and his educational philosophy is built around that conflict," says Shortt. "...In fact, in his view Christ came to earth as a 'son god' to balance the forces of light and darkness."
The author says these views are reflected in The Waldorf Teachers Survival Guide.
"As a matter of fact, quoting from the guide, it says 'most of what contributes to our work as teachers -- preparation work, artistic work, even meditative work -- is under the guardianship of Lucifer. We can become great teachers under his supervision....' And it continues in that vein."
Although the Waldorf system is primarily offered through private education, the demand for Waldorf public schools has grown to more than 40 across the country, including two dozen in California.
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Aug. 23, 2010