Teaching the Right Stuff

"SAVING PRIVATE RYAN" is a very good movie, very well made, historically accurate, educational, shocking, eye opening as well. Thus, artistically successful. But I don't know that I'd want my, say, six year old to see it. Way too much graphic violence for a first grader, methinks. The question what to teach children at what age remains unanswered, largely a mere matter of opinion. By the time people get to middle school, junior high, or high school, take your pick, its time to acquaint them with the true horrors of human and American hisotry, correct? Children, meaning all of us, must be taught, or rather, must be allowed to and assisted to learn the truth about life, the American experience, and the human experience, correct? surely no one would argue. Or would it be better to just forget about that human and American history is nothing other than a glorious narrative leading by design to its greatest glory of all, precieslty to....you? Really? In fact, history no more led inexorably to us that we can ever hope to know the full impact and effects of our actions. we do, however, know that history did indeed lead to us, and we know that everything we do has an effect, however minor, on the world, is only beuase of its impact on ourselves. The moral life thus consists of choosing one's actions so as to have the most likely best consewuences for the future, for ourselves and for the entire world. Our personal interests as individuals, and the interests of the world in general, we might be surprised to find, are connected, interrelated, usually if not always aligned. For this to happen we all need education, and a moral ethic based upon always seeking truth. Bertrand Russell said that nobody should ever be prevented from learning whatever they want to learn. Its hard to disagree. Learning should be available to all, and each individual should for the most part have a choice in deciding what to learn, with help, support, and assistance from parents and teachers and community. regarding Christian theology, such as the belief that it is a wonderful and glorious opportunity, indeed an aurgent necessity, for anyone to have their sins washed away by the blood of Christ, but only by worshiping Christ when, precisely, should kids learn about this? Maybe, just maybe..when they ask about it. Let the kids decide for themselves when to learn about religion, perhaps. And also, about sex and history, and racism in America, past and present. Most important of all, al lchildren should be allowed and encouraged to decide for themselves whether to embrace the christain religion, or any religion, without interference, assistance, advice, help...from anybody. Its their choice, and no one else's. Religious indoctrination of children of any sort is a form of brainwashing, and a form of child abuse, both of which there are innumerable types. All children should be given a chance to find out anything they want to aboub teligon or about any religion, and left to determine for themselves their attitude about particular religions, and religion in general. For some people, maybe its best to have no interest in religion at all. Arguing about putting "God" "back" in the classroom is needless, nonsensical, idiotic. Since God is everywhere, or nowhere, God can be found anywhere. This recent spate of laws in conservative states mandating what public schools do and do not tach kids about racism, sexual orientation, and religion are harmful to education, and thus deplorable. None of these idiotic laws are needed. Teachers know what and when to teach, without legislative interference. We must teach people how to think, not what to think, and truth, not nonsense.