Indoctrination or Education?

We are in the middle of an epic battle.  This battle is between the forces of good and evil.  As I type this journal entry there are millions of people worldwide talking about the death of one man.  The narrative has shifted to one of intolerance.  WE, the “good guys” have had enough.  We can no longer tolerate hate.  We cannot stand by and tolerate those who celebrate the death of anyone.  For far too long the people have just shrugged it off when someone was killed.  That time is ending.  Each one of us has a right to free speech.  Each one of us has a right to speak our opinions.  We should be open to all opinions – and if we see that someone’s voice is being silenced, we should ask WHY!

Why would anyone think that you don’t have the right to form your own opinion?  Hopefully this question raises a few eyebrows.  If we zoom out for a moment we can go back to our education system.  Our current education system is indoctrinating our children with false ideals.  The system demands conformity and obedience.  Think about it!  When a child asks a legitimate question in class regarding WHY a certain thing is being taught, they are silenced.  The question is glossed over and not actually answered.  The teachers are following orders, and thus, the students must also follow orders.  Our children are taught how to memorize history, or government, or science, or even math.  They are not taught how to critically solve a problem.  They are taught how to follow ONE specific method of thought, and nothing more.  Free thinking is off limits. 

This manipulation of consciousness is what blurs the lines between being free and sovereign versus being a mindless slave incapable of original thoughts.  

We must change.  We must accept that we have allowed this to happen.  We have stood by and watched our children go off to school to only come home confused about life, sexuality, race, and much, much more.  As parents, we then justify the actions of the school, we accept it as “just the way it is” …This must stop!  Parents – please pay attention to what your children say.  Please listen to them, hear the words they say, feel the words they say and STOP defending the very institution which is causing all of the problems. 

I understand the conundrum we all face.  What are we supposed to do?  We can’t all be stay at home parents and homeschool our kids.  We have to go to work so we can pay our bills.  So how are we supposed to do anything about what is being taught to our children? 

First, we need to have real conversations with other parents.   We need ALL parents to stop and think about what is best for our children.  Seriously!  We need to understand that children do not belong inside all day staring at computer screens.  We need to allow children to run around and get out some of their pent-up energy.  We need to teach kids how to be self-sufficient, critical thinkers and compassionate towards the needs of others.  Children need to learn the basic fundamentals of life and happiness.  We are so focused on teaching kids how to pass a test, but we have lost sight of the biggest test of all.  Life!  What makes life have meaning?  How do we find purpose in a world designed only for conformity?  Where does one find happiness? 

Second, we need to remove the need for test scores.  What good is a test if no one actually comprehends the materials being taught?  The goal for every student should be for them to actually understand what they are taught, and to be able to apply that wisdom in real life.  If the subjects being taught do not have a positive and useful real-life purpose, why are we teaching it?   We must engage the students in a manner that allows them to fully express their unique talents and gifts.  Some kids are really good at math…so why don’t we let those children help to teach the other children?  Or, some children have incredible imaginations.  Why not have classes which allow children to explore their creative potentials?  We should be looking to build up the character of our children, we should be looking for ways in which we can improve their mental and emotional selves.  We do this with the understanding that each child is unique.  We aren’t labeling kids as deficient in the 3^rd grade because little Bobby hasn’t memorized his multiplication tables.  No!  Instead, we pay attention to what Bobby is interested in.  We develop a plan for how to bring out the gifts inherent in Bobby’s nature.  Maybe he is a natural leader.  Or maybe he is really good at singing, or he has some other innate gift which needs to be cultivated.  The point is…each child is unique.  Each child should learn math, art, science, nutrition and health, etc. etc.  But the timing and parameters for learning each subject should be determined by the child.  If a child at the age of 9 isn’t interested in a particular subject, why do we force them to learn it?  Do you really think the information will “stick”?  Of course not!  We should allow the child to choose what he/she is interested in. 

All of us SHOULD be able to agree that we want our children to be happy.  We want our children to feel accepted, and we want our children to grow up feeling confident in their own abilities. 

Children MUST be taught that they are powerful creators.   And parents and teachers MUST recognize that children are far more capable than we realize.  In other countries I have seen where elementary school children have learned how to build a brick firepit which is then used to cook food.  The children not only built the firepit, they also cooked their own food after it was completed.  Some of these children were only 7 or 8 years old.  How awesome would it be if your child learned how to cook?  Imagine if every school had children creating meals and learning how to mix certain herbs and veggies together in order to maintain optimal health?  Would we have obesity problems?  I would be willing to bet that we would have a generation of perfectly healthy kids.  And, I believe we would discover that many of these same students are gifted in healing and could even help their parents change their own eating habits.  If children were actually taught about all of the medicinal qualities within herbs and plants, would they have a need for synthetic drugs?  Not likely! 

I have also seen where children are being taught how to move objects with their minds.  The power of thought is capable of moving objects…but only if the thoughts are cultivated.  We must stop limiting our children.  We must teach them – or better yet, we must allow them to use their full potential.  If one child can lift an object off of the floor with only their thoughts, imagine what 100 kids could do when focused on a common goal? 

How do you think children would feel if they were given the freedom to create?  Depression and anxiety would cease to exist. 

I believe it is time for the adults to step aside and for us to include the children in the conversation.  We must allow each child the time to speak and give them the respect that they deserve when sharing their opinions.  (ALL voices matter, and at no time should anyone be reprimanded or criticized for sharing their ideas)

Imagine if every school had a garden.  Imagine if every child learned how to grow their own food.  We wouldn’t need processed foods served in the cafeteria; we would have fresh veggies and fruits.  Why not have chickens for eggs and goats for milk as well?  The possibilities are endless – and the costs to implement these ideas would minimal.  The school cafeteria gets turned into a cooking class and the children get to participate in the creation of the daily and weekly menu.

Every idea should be explored, and the costs of these programs should be irrelevant.  Our teachers need to be allowed to teach.  They must have the freedom to share their wisdom and skills.  When we have free thinking teachers, we have free thinking students.  When we have free thinking students, we have happy students.  Happy students are open to new ideas and they are open to trying new things.  They are not pressured or punished; they are simply provided the opportunity to grow and learn.  There should never be a comparison between one child and another.  All of us are unique.  This should be cherished and honored by ALL of us!