Homeschool no solution

Patrick Lejtenyi's article "Out of class learning" [Sept. 4] describes how homeschooling is a growing trend and how 6,000 families homeschool on the island of Montreal alone.

I, however, am fearful of such a thing gaining popularity. As more and more parents put their kids in private school or homeschool them, the government will have an even bigger excuse to pump less money into the beleaguered public school system. Taxpayers pay enough school taxes already, but public schools all over are closing their libraries and cutting programs. How can this be justified?

In any case, homeschooling is not viable for most because the majority of parents don't have the time, patience or discipline to do it. Also, most parents lack proficiency in all subjects.

True, teachers in the public school system are often overburdened, but many still do a great teaching job. True, homeschooling will save some students from bullying, excessive peer pressure and schoolyard taunts. But isn't a little bit of exposure to peer pressure and bullying a part of preparation for adulthood? The real world is often not so nice, and being overprotective doesn't always help students. Homeschooled kids may enjoy social interaction with their friends, but they're not exposed to as many kids of their own age as those attending public schools, hence their social skills are still more likely to suffer.

Admirable as homeschooling can be, it isn't viable for most. The media should focus more attention on how to improve the taxpayer-financed public school system and how to reduce bullying and schoolyard violence.

» Manish Patwari

Spreading sex majick

I want to thank you and your paper for publishing an article on the Temple Priapus [Cover, "Hail the cock worshippers!" July 31]. The story influenced other media and the results have been new members from all across North America and England.

When I consented to do the interview with Matthew Hays, I was worried that we would not be taken seriously. I have been involved with the temple since 1979, and now as Pontifex I've been trying to surface the temple in many circles. I have been to conferences and on speaking tours throughout the USA and Canada and have allowed the Temple to be studied by universities from California to Quebec. I am a professional and was worried about my profile - this being a somewhat controversial spiritual organization. But I have been strengthened by the interest from so many circles and have been able to show that what once was the major religion in the world (before being lost to sex-negative religions) is again proud to show its head as a true path for those of us called to worship.

Sex Majick is the most powerful of majicks. We do no harm and only want to worship in truth and peace. Now, more than ever before, the world knows we exist. I realize that the Mirror has taken some hits for being so progressive as to showcase us, but the results have been terrific. Many people have found a home with us and feel not as freaks but as people experiencing a spiritual journey that's rewarding to them. Thank you for helping make that journey so powerful. Peace and Love to one and all.

» Francis, High-Priest and Pontifex

Frosh week defiled?

It has come to the attention of the Concordia Student Union that the single photo by Jason Felker taken of Concordia Frosh Week, captioned "Creative Drinking 101," appears to represent participants in a Frosh activity in a blatantly sexual position [Photo of the week, Sept. 11].

It appears to the council that two young women with their mouths on the heads of beer bottles, suspended wheelbarrow-style by two young men while another young man cheers them on the sidelines may, at best, be an inappropriate portrayal of the very diverse functions held during Frosh Week as a whole, and, at worse, degrading - especially to the female participants.

In the spirit of communication, we would like to request that the photographer explain his intent in using this pose from the many he apparently had to choose from.

» Melissa Baril, Wendy Kraus-Heitmann, Arielle Reid, Sabine Friesinger, Emily Bitting, Nancy Beaton, Katharine Childs, Ralph Lee, Adam Slater, Trish Macintosh, Natalie Pomerleau, Omar Elmenyawi, Douglas Bastien (Mandated by a motion of the CSU council of representatives)

[Ed: A wheelbarrow race - degrading? The photo was taken in the spirit of good, wholesome frosh fun and was in no way meant to be "blatantly sexual."]

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