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Zack Payne, an acquaintance that resides in North Carolina, brought up a key point.
Payne, who identifies himself as an atheist, mentioned that this type of change in America's religious education would force those who hold views similar to himself to learn about religions that they don't subscribe to. This begs the question: would a religious tolerance-based education like this violate freedom of speech and religion? While I am in avid support of an active removal of any form of social, racial, and religious oppression from our societies, I still maintain that giving the religions of the world--religions that have historically played, and will likely continue to play, a major role in the psychological development of our fellow human beings--a balanced, academic voice could do nothing but improve our nation's cultural respect and world-wide tolerance.
Adrian Lopez, an acquaintance from a global service organization, related an example that supported my call for change. Adrian, who identifies himself as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, related the following: "Mauritius, a small island off [the coast] of Madagascar. . . [has] nailed the principles of inclusion and synergy in [many] aspects of their society[--]including how all religions interact with one another and how [religion] is treated by the government."
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Lopez's comments provided me with hope and, upon further research, a realization that this kind of change is not only possible, but it's already taking place in some parts of the world. For Mauritius, the change has made a major difference in how their citizens interact with one another. The point stands in this case that this type of change--change in the ways we, as Americans, view a mediation between religious freedom and an education of a newly applied tolerance, as well as our redefinition of a "separation of church and state"--is possible.Educated and informed tolerance is already being practiced within the Republic of Mauritius. It's time for America to suppress its tendencies toward American Exceptionalism, and it's time to stop pretending like we're always at the crest of important political changes. We may prove ourselves wise in considering the possibility that religious education is an area where we might be thinking more archaically--in terms of our nation's civic practices.
(For more information on the legislation within the Republic of Mauritius, please click on the link)
I've always wondered how we teach tolerance. Is it something you can "teach" or do you just have to show people how to do it. I have also wondered how you can teach tolerance and ensure that people don't take it to the extreme. I find this an issue today in our society. In the church, we do not actively support gay marriage. However, people look down on us for not being tolerant. Doesn't that make others not tolerant of us? With so many ideas swirling around, how do we find balance midst the chaos? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a challenge, or an opportunity (depending on how you view it), to create a educational program that teaches tolerance. But, with the big picture in mind, it's not that hard for us to learn the scientific process--which is a process that teaches us tolerance and testing of concepts or beliefs
ReplyDeleteTo me,teaching religious tolerance--or any other--in and educative environment involve teaching, or better yet, letting representatives of that religion or cause, teach and share accurately the facts and practices and ideals of their faith,looking first for commonalities. That's what the Founding Fathers did, and they came up with 5 to 7 principles all the major religions had in common.
ReplyDeleteI loved this essay until the end when you statement of "American exceptionalism" showed a lack of understanding of what it was. It was our Constitution, based upon God-given, rights, not man or government endowed, that made us exceptional, and the reas on we have not been abreast of new, cutting edge ideas in many areas for a long time is that democratic socialism has been creeping in with our consent, making us not so exceptional anymore. Still, mI'll ions of people still vote for our semi-exceptional nature with their feet (immigration.) Should we continue down this road and become like many others in history, they'll stop coming.
To me,teaching religious tolerance--or any other--in and educative environment involve teaching, or better yet, letting representatives of that religion or cause, teach and share accurately the facts and practices and ideals of their faith,looking first for commonalities. That's what the Founding Fathers did, and they came up with 5 to 7 principles all the major religions had in common.
ReplyDeleteI loved this essay until the end when you statement of "American exceptionalism" showed a lack of understanding of what it was. It was our Constitution, based upon God-given, rights, not man or government endowed, that made us exceptional, and the reas on we have not been abreast of new, cutting edge ideas in many areas for a long time is that democratic socialism has been creeping in with our consent, making us not so exceptional anymore. Still, mI'll ions of people still vote for our semi-exceptional nature with their feet (immigration.) Should we continue down this road and become like many others in history, they'll stop coming.