Distraction

I'm supposed to be doing homework, but I needed a break, so I took a few minutes to read a little. While on a political blog, I came across this article. It's old, written in 2004, but it rings true today.

For those too busy to read, it has to do with the attack on intellectualism going on in our country. It was written at a time when Bush had just begun his second term in office, but it is even more relevant at the advent of the next presidential race. Here, we decide the fate of the United States. For better or worse, we send it barreling inexorably onward, but the key difference is how we get there. Is it with someone who believes creationism should be taught in schools alongside science as a viable origin for life? Or is it with someone who believes in the true principles upon which America was founded? Someone who believes all people should be allowed to practice their own faith. Someone who does not look down on other people's religions for being different. In a word, someone who is tolerant.

But not just tolerant. Respectful.

The article is frightening, partly because it shows an example a certain type of person scattered all across the country. It's also scary, because it's true.

There are people who think that colleges have a "well known" liberal bias. While it may be true that people with more education tend to vote democrat (Hmmm), I find it funny that education has become a point of attack for the Republicans. From two fronts: No Child Left Behind (which actually destroyed our education system, hoorah!) and this anti-intellectualism, anti-challenging of indoctrination.

The person, the one I was referring to from the article, is one who warns his freshman friend not to learn too much. Yes, apparently you can learn too much. In all seriousness, it isn't funny, because he is serious. He tells his friend that 'you don't want too learn to much that might challenge your core beliefs, because you might lose your faith'. Well, yeah. That's kind of the whole point of an education. If you aren't challenging your own ideas, how do you learn anything new? How do you know you're right if your position is the only one you've checked out? How can you possibly claim that you know definitively that your way is the only way to go?

"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." - Bush Sr.

Now, as an atheist, I'm skeptical by default of any religion. But skeptical is not the same as disrespect. I support and respect all of my friends in their faith, and I find it deeply impressive that they maintain it despite life's curve balls. I think all of them, including the ones who practice non-christian religions, deserve a fair chance to practice whatever faith they choose, without persecution from the government or their peers.

The last thing we need from the government is more hatred bred from ignorance, which is all that this rhetoric ultimately does. When people who actually believe that atheists should not be considered citizens hear the leader of the free world say this, it gives them recognition. Acknowledgment that their way is the right way, the only way. It makes them believe that they would want to vote for the leader who speaks for the everyday "Joe six-pack" when in reality, that could not possibly be more untrue.

Why do the Republicans insist on claiming Christianity as our official religion when we are a nation comprised entirely of immigrants who came here to practice religion their way? Freedom is great, and no one loves it more than me. I just wish Americans would wake up. Education is the key, and all we seem to do is take steps in the wrong direction.

Why are we still arguing about Evolution? This is a theory that has insurmountable evidence to suggest that it has happened, is happening, and will continue to happen, yet there are people who refuse to believe it because it isn't written in the Bible.

To quote one of my favorite stage plays, Inherit the Wind, "The Bible is a book. A good book. But it's not the only book."