The Old Schoolhouse Magazine – Linkedin | by Gena Suarez April 22, 2025
As the Supreme Court heard arguments today in the landmark Mahmoud v. Taylor case, families across America should be paying close attention. At stake is nothing less than parents’ fundamental right to direct the moral and religious upbringing of their children.
How We Got Here: From Local School Board to Supreme Court
The controversy began in 2022 when the Montgomery County Board of Education in Maryland approved a set of LGBTQ+-themed books for inclusion in their K-5 curriculum. Initially, parents were notified before these books would be used in classrooms and could opt their children out of instruction involving these materials.
However, in March 2023, the school district abruptly changed course. Officials rescinded the opt-out policy, claiming there were too many requests that were causing “significant disruptions to the classroom environment.” One school board member went so far as to suggest that allowing opt-outs because books “offend your religious rights or your family values or your core beliefs is just telling your kid, ‘Here’s another reason to hate another person’.”
For many religious parents in the diverse Montgomery County community, which includes Muslims, Christians, and Jews, this change was unacceptable. A group of these parents filed a lawsuit in federal court on May 24, 2023, arguing that forcing their children to participate in instruction that violates their religious beliefs infringes on their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
After losing in the U.S. District Court and subsequently at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the parents, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, appealed to the Supreme Court. On January 17, 2025, the Court agreed to hear the case, with oral arguments taking place today, April 22, 2025.
The Books at the Center of the Controversy
Parents have expressed concerns about five specific books included in the curriculum:
- Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope: This book tells the story of a child born female who identifies as a boy. The narrative portrays Penelope declaring “I’m not a girl, I am a boy” and follows the journey of acceptance. The book suggests children are “stronger when they are true to themselves and who they really are.”
- Jacob’s Room to Choose: This book addresses bathroom usage by transgender children. Jacob, with help from school staff, leads a change in school policy. It’s described as an “encouraging” story about various forms of gender expression.
- Love, Violet: A story about a young girl named Violet who develops romantic feelings for another girl, Mira. The book is described as “a sweetly empathetic, child-friendly, girl-girl romance.”
- What Are Your Words?: This book introduces children to gender-inclusive pronouns and is marketed as being appropriate for all ages.
- Pride Puppy: A story about a puppy that gets lost during a Pride parade, used for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.
Why Christian Parents’ Rights Are At Stake
The case highlights a troubling trend in public education: the diminishing recognition of parents’ rights to guide their children’s moral and Biblical development.
For centuries, American jurisprudence has recognized that parents, not the state, have primary authority over their children’s upbringing. As the Supreme Court stated in Troxel v. Granville (2000), “The interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children… is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court.”
The parents in this case aren’t asking for the books to be removed entirely. They simply want what any reasonable parent would request: notification when controversial topics will be taught and the opportunity to opt their children out of instruction that contradicts their Biblical beliefs.
If the Court sides with the school board, it could establish a dangerous precedent that educational authorities can override parental Biblical objections and mandate curriculum regardless of families’ deeply held convictions. This would represent a significant erosion of religious liberty protections and parental authority.
While today’s case concerns public schools, we must remain vigilant about how such a precedent might eventually affect Christian home education. The underlying principle—whether the state can compel education contrary to Biblical beliefs—has implications for all educational choices.
Homeschooling: A Biblical Alternative That Preserves Your Rights
Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules in this case, Christian families should consider whether now is the time to explore home education. Even if the Court upholds parental rights in this case, the trajectory of public education is clear: Biblical values are increasingly marginalized in favor of secular ideologies.
Home education offers several distinct advantages for families committed to raising children with a Biblical worldview:
- Biblical Foundation: Parents can select curriculum that aligns with Scripture and Christian values, ensuring education is built on the foundation of God’s truth.
- Character Development: Parents can integrate character formation based on Biblical principles throughout all subjects, not just during designated “character education” time.
- Age-Appropriate Introduction of Topics: Parents determine when and how to address sensitive topics according to their child’s maturity and their family’s interpretation of Scripture.
- Personalized Education: Instruction can be tailored to each child’s God-given talents, learning style, and interests.
- Strong Family Bonds: Home education strengthens family relationships and allows parents to fulfill their Biblical mandate to disciple their children daily.
The Church’s Role in Supporting Christian Home Education
While the potential for increasing government control over education is concerning, Christians have a resource that offers protection and support: the local church. Throughout history, when government restrictions threatened Christian education, churches have provided sanctuary and structure for families committed to Biblical training.
The PastorPlan.org initiative is specifically designed to help Christian families transition from public schools to home education with the support of their local church. This ministry facilitates:
- Church-hosted homeschool co-ops where families share teaching responsibilities and expertise
- Mentoring relationships between experienced homeschooling families and newcomers
- Resource-sharing to make quality Christian curriculum accessible to all families
- Community support for single parents and those with limited resources who want to home educate
Standing Firm in Biblical Conviction
Whatever the Supreme Court decides in Mahmoud v. Taylor, Christian parents must remember their primary calling is to raise children in “the training and instruction of the Lord.” No court ruling can remove this God-given responsibility.
The parents of Montgomery County have shown tremendous courage in standing up for their rights. They serve as an inspiration for all who believe that faith and family should not be checked at the indoctrination centers we call “public schooling”.
If you’re considering moving your children from public education to home education, visit ThePastorPlan.org and ChurchSchoolhouse.com today. The local church is the solution to the public school problem. Across America, churches are opening their doors to create vibrant homeschool communities that welcome all families seeking strong, Bible-based education, not just their own members. They’re providing space, resources, mentorship, and Christ-centered curriculum that public schools cannot offer and will never provide.
A growing movement of church-based homeschooling is emerging, with the potential to see thousands of churches rise to the call. This isn’t just about escaping indoctrination—it’s about embracing God’s design for education, where parents and churches collaborate to raise the next generation of believers. These platforms are witnessing an unprecedented movement as numerous congregations establish homeschool co-ops that uphold a Biblical worldview while maintaining high-quality academic excellence.
The time for half-measures is over. As the government tightens its grip on our children’s minds and spirits, God is raising up an army of parents and churches committed to educational freedom and unshakable truth. Join the movement. Homeschool your children and grandchildren. www.TryHomeschooling.com