Educate Thyself

At least two thirds of our miseries spring from human stupidity, human malice and those great motivators and justifiers of malice and stupidity, idealism, dogmatism and proselytizing zeal on behalf of religious or political idols.

-- Aldous Huxley


I would like to take a moment to brag about my parents.

They are extensive world travelers who continue to explore and shake hands with the world and cultures around them. They've been to so many places and have been spending a month at a time abroad for the past few years. They are also devout Catholics.

On Father's Day I had a chance to commend them and tell them how proud I am of them for expanding their horizons in getting to know other cultures and religions. That only a decade ago they may have held a somewhat unfavorable view of non-Christian foreigners who harbor different beliefs, customs, tastes, traditions, etc.

Buddhists, for example, may have been viewed with a twinge of judgment. But in Thailand they took a class on Buddhism, spent time with monks, toured temples and participated in the parade of a young man becoming a monk. They educated themselves, got to know and speak with the people and through this education came a new respect and connection with those in the world who are different from themselves.

This morning my husband and I were listening to the radio and the following (article) came on:

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Group Sues Over Christian License Plates
Lawsuit Claims "I Believe" Plates In South Carolina Advocate Christianity

The Associated Press - June 19, 2008

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- A group that advocates separation of church and state filed a federal lawsuit Thursday to prevent South Carolina from becoming the first state to create "I Believe" license plates. The group contends that South Carolina's government is endorsing Christianity by allowing the plates, which would include a cross superimposed on a stained glass window. Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed the lawsuit on behalf of two Christian pastors, a humanist pastor and a rabbi in South Carolina, along with the Hindu American Foundation. "I do believe these 'I Believe' plates will not see the light of day because the courts, I'm confident, will see through this," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, the group's executive director. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for South Carolina, asks a judge to stop South Carolina from making the plates and rule that the law allowing them violates the First Amendment. The bill sailed through the Legislature with little discussion earlier this year. Gov. Mark Sanford let it become law without his signature because the state already allows private groups to create license plates for any cause. Republican House Speaker Bobby Harrell said residents asked for a way to express their beliefs, and legislators responded. He disputed Lynn's accusation that they were pandering to constituents in an election year. "That's what critics always say when they see something they don't like," Harrell said. "I think this has less to do with the First Amendment and more to do with their disdain for religion generally." Lynn said his group would not have opposed the "I Believe" plates had they been advocted by private groups. State law allows private groups to create specialty plates as long as they first collect either a $4,000 deposit or 400 prepaid orders. Lt. Gov. AndrDe Bauer said last week that he is willing to put up the money, then get reimbursed. Bauer said the idea came from Florida, where a proposal for an "I Believe" tag failed. He called it a freedom-of-speech issue. But a Methodist pastor who joined the lawsuit, the retired Rev. Thomas Summers of Columbia, said the plate provokes discrimination. "I think this license plate really is divisive and creates the type of religious discord I've devoted my life to healing," he said. Another of the ministers, the Rev. Robert Knight of Charleston, said the plates cheapen the Christian message. "As an evangelical Christian, I don't think civil religion enhances the Christian religion. It compromises it," Knight said. "That's the fundamental irony. It's very shallow from a Christian standpoint."

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I am a Universalist Christian and I acknowledge that not everyone in the U.S. is a Christian. And that's 100% cool with me. I am an advocate of the separation of Church and State and I believe legislation needs to be divorced from any form of religion as issues regarding “State” can be applied to ALL peoples, whereas issues regarding “church” cannot.

When I pay for my license plates there is a tax. When I pay for the renewal stickers on my plates there is a tax. A taxing, legislative body that is the Secretary of State (any state) should not have a lick of jurisdiction to entertain religious incorporations / messages into a license plate.

Bumper stickers and Jesus fish should suffice in telling the world through the wonder of adhesive and plastic knick-knacks just how you and your car worship.

Actually, to let the world know you and your car are at peace with other religions, check out this cool bumper sticker and where you can order it:

http://www.carryabigsticker.com/peace_religious_symbols.htm

Separation of church and state is a political and legal doctrine that government and religious institutions are to be kept separate and independent from each other. The term most often refers to the combination of two principles: secularity of government and freedom of religious exercise.

The phrase separation of church and state is generally traced to a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists, in which he referred to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as creating a "wall of separation" between church and state.

The phrase was then quoted by the United States Supreme Court first in 1878, and then in a series of cases starting in 1947. This led to increased popular and political discussion of the concept. (Source: Wikipedia)

My husband feels that Comparative Religion should be a mandatory class in all grade, middle and high schools and I completely agree. If children are being taught about the world around them, they need to know the facts about how life is organized within one of its most enduring machinations: religion. It has been said that religion is the opiate of the masses. Well, if the masses do not have the facts about said religion(s) and make false assumptions regarding other masses and religions...you have chaos...and often, war.

Comparative Religion is often an elective offered in college but to educate the young will help dispel many myths and stereotypes of such things as what Muslims truly believe...or where Mormons came from...or why Jews have the holidays they have, or what exactly Purgatory, Nirvana, Valhala, Heaven or re-incarnation is. Many people haven't got a clue as to what a Wiccan is or what Santeria is or what Last Rites are or the difference between dharma and karma. And on and on the ignorance goes.

Not a religion class that sways or converts...but a class that will simply EDUCATE CHILDREN IN PRESENTING THE FACTS ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ACTUALLY BELIEVE THE WAY THEY DO AND WHY.

I think this type of education would help disintegrate the divisive judgement on others and bring about a sense of unity and peace this nation has embarrassingly lacked for ages.

In a sense to know is to love. And everybody needs to know.