Comments on: THE MORAL CHOICE BETWEEN CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM — PART 1

By: THE MORAL CHOICE BETWEEN CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM — PART 2 « Citizen Tom

THE MORAL CHOICE BETWEEN CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM — PART 2 « Citizen Tom — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:02:11 +0000

[...] Why Did I Write This Series? [...]

By: kgotthardt

kgotthardt — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:29:07 +0000

Yes, I think we should be kind to one another. Without kindness, there is bullying, discrimination, and violence. That said, you can’t enforce a “kindness” law. You can enforce a school rule or work rule that says “be respectful” however. You don’t have to believe what everyone else believes and you may even speak out against other beliefs, but in order to get along in an educational or work environment, those discussions need to stay outside for the sake of productivity. In fact, many places of employment simply state in their employee handbooks that there should be no political discussions at work if the work doesn’t relate to politics.

I don’t see the government teaching respect of beliefs. I see them as mandating respect for people—some behaviors just are not acceptable because of the results they yield.

That said, parents always have the option of sending their children to religious schools if they want their children educated among like-minded people. For many others, however, this isn’t really an issue, and to not acknowledge that means we ignore a large segment of the population.

Finally, parent groups have the persuasive authority to ensure students are not being what you might call indoctrinated. Most parents of children in public schools simply won’t put up with that. Again, though, if this isn’t enough, parents can send their children to private schools or home school. They can protest the actions of public schools as you do. It’s a free country, after all.

I think we have gone a little off track here, though, and it’s partly my fault because many of my examples of socialism vs. capitalism come from education. This is simply because I’ve worked in education most of my life. There are other examples in government and industry for sure, but education provides me with a handy microcosm for the discussion we are having.

By: Citizen Tom

Citizen Tom — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:14:30 +0000

kgotthardt - Have you ever noticed that when private industry wants your money and access to your child, you have to opt in? On the other hand, when government wants your money and access to your child, you can be certain the government will keep your money. If you are lucky, you just might be able to afford to keep the government away from your child -- if that option is left available. Have you ever heard of the tolerance trick? When you offered the option of spending more taxpayer dollars so the government can teach us how to respect everyone’s beliefs, I suppose you intended to be kind. The problem is that I see no reason why I should respect respect everyone’s beliefs. Because I think my religion is the best religion, I value my religion above all others. I have no problem with my children not respecting what I believe are lies. I want my children to respect other peoples rights. Whether I think my children should respect what other people believe depends entirely upon what those other people believe. I do not think government has any business telling us what to think, what to believe or what to tolerate. Politicians should not be in the business of deciding how our children should be educated. That is for parents to decide. Politicians, not parents, are the least trusted people in the country. Yet we let politicians decide how and what our children should be taught. That is stupid.

By: kgotthardt

kgotthardt — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:16:16 +0000

I know what you are saying, OFL. It’s a tough call. I’m a firm believer in parents and churches teaching values and ensuring schools aren’t undermining those values. That said, parents have the choice of opting out of sex ed for their kids and taking matters into their own hands. I think that’s a good option for those who want it. I also think it’s a good idea that teachers mention there are many other beliefs about sexuality, evolution, etc.

Furthermore, I think courses on comparative religions and philosophy in the upper levels would make tremendous additions to the curriculum. You are right–we can’t pretend religion doesn’t exist. We just need to find a way to respect everyone’s beliefs as we learn—NOT an easy job!

By: Old Fashion Liberal

Old Fashion Liberal — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:05:38 +0000

kgotthardt – The Christian religion charges parents, not government, with responsibility for the education of children. Almost all parents want their children taught specific beliefs. Almost all parents do not want their children taught that the values of others are equal to or superior to their. Parent most certainly do not want the school system to undermine the values they are taught at home. Yet the schools must teach something. Schools will teach a doctrine of some sort (if only by omission). Schools must inevitably displease some parents and step on their religious rights.

When we have an education system run by government, how do we keep government out of religion? What is the answer? We wear blinders. We pretend the problem does not exist. School teachers teach the doctrine of of Evolution as a factual certainty and pretend that doctrine is “Science” and has nothing to do with religion. School teachers pretend sex education has nothing to do with moral choices and religion. School teachers pretend that what they teach about history and government has nothing to with religion. So that government can run the schools and serve the needs of the most powerful special interests groups, schools label the faith and religious values of some groups as “science” and “secular” and the faith or other groups as religion.

You say you believe in ethical capitalism. Do you also believe that ethics has nothing to do with religion?