Re: open-mindedness
Dan
You need forgiveness because I was offended by your characterization of some of the posters' opinions as closed minded simply because you did not agree with them, and with the name-calling sprinkled throughout your reply. I am taught that I am to approach another I have been offended by, as well as to approach another I have offended. In my faith, my responsibility toward another person is portrayed as 100/100, not 50/50. It is as much needed for me as it is for you, as it reminds and binds me to effect a peaceful outcome. Given your repeated signature sign-off wishing us "<font color=blue>Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and peaceful future!</font color=blue>", I thought it was appropriate.
I have the same sentiments as you about ending my participation in this post - and about sticking to the tractor stuff. However, you have made another statement which I would like to respond to, as I believe it is portrays a fundamental and critically important difference in thinking. You made some references to "blame", and followed up with an example of discussing this with children, associating various involved parties from religious leaders preaching hatred to airport security workers in the example of a discussion of the terrorist attacks. My problem is that this type of discussion diffuses personal responsibility when it neglects moral absolutes. While I think it is fine to discuss the thread of influence, I think it should not be at the cost of diminishing personal responsibility (whether unintentional or not).
To add a couple things together, I believe it is the influence of relativism (no moral facts, or very few) that combines with reduced emphasis on personal responsibility to produce unfavorable behavior in individuals. To talk about influence, or cause and effect without a overlaid moral compass is to teach that any behavior is within acceptable bounds, by default. Many kids hear the right things from their parents or other places; unfortunately many do not. While it may be argued that this is not the school's responsibility, at best treating learning in this way is imcomplete. I would argue that schools have happily assumed the role of moral education in many other places, such as teaching about smoking, drinking, drug abuse, sex education, and the civil rights teams. Seems selective to me.
As short and to the point as I know how to make it, Dan. Now let's go talk about tractors.
