[Vision2020] free speech

[Ted Moffett]

Amber et. al.

Some think the topic of religion on V2020 is inappropriate.  But given how 
religion effects the opinions of people on everything from how they view 
war, to educational funding, to the environment and development, to abortion 
rights, to justifying or rejecting greed, or respecting women's or minority 
rights, on and on, I find it questionable to leave out of V2020 discussion 
the 500 lb gorilla some seek to avoid admitting is in the room.

I do not agree the religious discussions are all "I'm right, your wrong" as 
you put it.  The goal I think is to get beyond the dogmatism of faith that 
many religious people take for granted to allow for more acceptance of other 
religious points of view.  This does not mean abandoning belief or faith, as 
many think it must.

The diversity of spiritual and religious points of view that human beings 
entertain are fascinating and all worthy of study and discussion.

To encourage open discussion of this religious diversity I think is of 
immense value to lessen religious hatred and to encourage understanding of 
the increasingly complex multicultural international world we live in, with 
nuclear armed Pakistan and India at each other's throats, in part due to 
religious differences, or the religiously influenced fighting in 
Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel or N. Ireland, etc.  Certainly 9/11 brought into 
focus the role of religiously influenced hatred in world conflict, impacting 
us here in Moscow, as it did in much of the entire world.

What happens in the Hindu, Islamic, Christian, and Buddhist worlds etc. does 
effect us here in the USA, and even in little Moscow Idaho.

The U of I student now in jail for allegations of certain connections that 
involved his faith, and the political presence of religious orientations in 
Moscow that seek to control local politics, are evidence of the role 
religion plays here in Moscow.

Ted

>From: "aphro dite" <aphro@angelfire.com>
>Reply-To: aphro@angelfire.com
>To: vision2020@moscow.com
>Subject: [Vision2020] free speech
>Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 17:20:12 -0700
>
>Though I believe in the right to free speech even at the cost of several 
>personally slanderous statements said or published . . .
>
>I find this list not quite what I was expecting.
>
>Whenever a topic is brought up that actually affect the future of Moscow 
>and Idaho (actual issues i.e. the recent posting about testing 
>homeschoolers and forcing them into the public system...) a few people find 
>a few intelligent things to say, no solution seems to be found (which is 
>ok.... I think discussion is the point here, right?)...  And then the issue 
>dies quickly.
>
>Yet, there are two particular (yet closely related) issues that are focused 
>on: Religion ("I'm right, you're wrong.") And one person who feels its his 
>religious duty to fill this list with slanderous messages.  I've never even 
>met this fellow, and I showed up on one of his "hate" lists.  (Not by name, 
>but by affiliation within one of the groups he hates.)  Yet I say, YES to 
>free speech.  Let him post.  Let me post.  Thank you.  But does anyone care 
>about actual issues?
>
>Ignoring it has been mentioned before, but never happened.
>
>I'd much rather talk about things that make a difference.  For example, the 
>latest topic of homeschool testing.  Hasn't anyone realized the rediculous 
>waste of money and resources that standardized testing is?  And forcing 
>people into a system that doesn't fit personal needs is anything but 
>positive and progressive.  Is there anything in this proposed law 
>accounting for homeschoolers with learning disabilities?  I could go off on 
>this one with much more issues for hours....
>
>-Amber Montgomery
>
>
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