It is the usual time for pundits, politicians, and just plain people to discuss the future of education in America: graduation time. As the fresh new faces stand up and go forward to receive their diplomas, more people are questioning the value of education. That is not only sad but dangerous for our democracy. What is education?
One thing it is not meant to be – an unthinking and uncritical response to the world we now inhabit. That also means not necessarily thinking the world their parents thought was so great was really that great. There are consequences to questioning the kind of past certain people want us to remember. Socrates was put to death for asking such questions under the guise of corrupting the morals of the youth.
What dumb down politicians want is a dumb down citizenry, people who will not ask questions but who will just drift along. The point of education is to have people think and think critically, to ask questions and not just accept facile answers. Jesus never accepted facile answers when he asked questions; neither should we.
Prayer for the Day
Recognizing that we often stumble in our daily lives.
We feel conflicted by the competing claims around us;
Burned by the sun at day and unsettled by the moon at night,
We have often failed you as well as ourselves.
Heal us, O God, and make us whole so we become,
Faithful witnesses of your justice and peace.
In the name of the One who was your most faithful witness,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
A man’s mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Supreme Court Justice (1841-1935)
Children must be taught how to think, not what to think
- Margaret Mead, sociologist (1901-1978)
Bless the Lord! Ogive thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
For God’s loving kindness endures forever.
Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare God’s praise?
Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness t all times.
Psalm 106: 1-3