OPEN LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THE BOYCOTT

The following is an open letter in support of the boycott against The Pearls, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and Homeschool Blogger. You have permission to copy this letter and post it at your own blog, or copy it and email it to companies who currently support and/or carry the Pearls' materials, and who may also accept advertisements or affiliations with The Pearls, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Homeschool Blogger (a blogsite run by the owners of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine).

At the end of the open letter is a partial list of companies and organizations to whom you may wish to email this letter. Please remember to copy to and send from your own email address and sign it with your real name and state/province. You may also wish to personalise it to more accurately reflect your sentiments. Keep it civil and honest. You will have more impact this way.

OPEN LETTER TO COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE CURRENTLY SUPPORTING MICHAEL AND DEBI PEARL, THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE MAGAZINE, AND HOMESCHOOL BLOGGER.

Dear Sir and/or Madam,

I am writing you today to ask you to remove from your company any materials for sale by Michael and Debi Pearl, and any and all advertising related to the Pearls and their organization "No Greater Joy Ministries." Additionally, I ask that you remove all advertising related to both The Old Schoolhouse Magazine (TOS) and its affiliate blog hosting service, "Homeschool Blogger," as both TOS and Homeschool Blogger are major supporters of the Pearls.

Recent news about the death of young Sean Paddock of North Carolina has highlighted an issue that is very near to my heart -- that of child abuse. It seems that Sean's mother, Lynn, was a devout follower of Michael and Debi Pearl and their book To Train Up a Child. This book, masquerading as parenting advice, actually advocates parents to hit their children with a short length of plumbing line as a disciplinary measure. In their own words:

A swift whack with the plastic tubing would sting but not bruise. Give 10 licks at a time, more if the child resists. Be careful about using it in front of others -- even at church; nosy neighbors might call social workers.

Quoted from the Pearls' own website at www.nogreaterjoy.org

Clearly, this is not simple instruction on discpline, but rather egregious advocation for abuse. If it were not an abusive act, why would they feel the need to tell parents to "hide" what they are doing to their children, and why would they need to fear intervention by social workers? Another tactic advocated by the Pearls is to wrap children tightly in blankets to restrain them. It was a tragic use of this technique that brought about the death of little Sean.

As a concerned parent, I urge you to take action by removing from your company any materials for sale by Michael and Debi Pearl, and any and all advertising related to the Pearls and their organization "No Greater Joy Ministries," including advertising for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Homeschool Blogger. As a concerned consumer, I feel that I can not do business with any companies who support the aforementioned. Please advise me as to your final decision. I hope that you will do the right thing, and that I will be able to enjoy doing business with you in the future.

Sincerely,
Audrey


Companies who sell the Pearls' books and/or advertise for TOS and HSBlogger:
Amazon.com (US)
Amazon.ca (CA)
Barnes & Noble - stopped selling To Train Up a Child, but still carries No Greater Joy
Ebay.com , Ebay.CA , Ebay.UK
Half.com (US)
Vegsource - the homeschool swap boards allow sales of Pearl materials (Mostly US, but some Intl.)
Well-Trained Mind Swap boards - Several Pearl items for sale on that board. Email the webmaster and request that the owners ban the sale or swap of these materials!
Chapters.Indigo (CA)
Christian Home Education (UK)
Memoria Press (US)
Heritage Resources (CA)
Teach Magazine (US)
Homeschool Digest (US)
HomesteadBlogger.com - thanks to Barbara who pointed out that this is ANOTHER blogsite supported by TOS!

Here is the master list of companies advertising in and/or affiliated with The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Most have links right to the company sites where you will find email and snail mail address to send your letters.

UPDATE THAT Florida Parent-Educators Association - no longer has The Old Schoolhouse at their convention.