Quiz your children

Where are we with truth, and how much does it matter? Two questions that to many will seem rather aimless, and yet they are the crux of many a problem.

Who says that Indonesians are hung by one foot in Australia, and who believes that story? Crazy as it may sound, but many Indonesians do in fact believe this happened, and some I spoke to said that it didn't matter, because they would not believe any denial from the West as they cannot be trusted -- of course their own government can.

Brainwashed into only thinking and believing one way is a sure recipe to remaining ignorant, which is what tunnel vision and propaganda is all about. It could well be the same with some of the teachings within Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). Young minds are easy to manipulate, especially those at boarding schools where to a greater degree, students are a captive audience. There is a real danger that the seeds of hate can be sown, and of biased viewpoints being given that would be seriously challenged by more educated and open minds.

It would help if people here would ask questions of all information received, like how do you know? Where did that information come from? How can we tell if it's true? And there are many more. The truth is often difficult to find as people, for various reasons, spend a lot of their time hiding it. In keeping people ignorant, they further their own cause and the power that they seek, from the misguided support that they have manipulated and cultivated.

Parents should regularly quiz their own children about what is being taught in schools, especially in areas that will affect their future thinking and character. The bad teaching influences that clearly do exist must be exposed and eradicated before young minds are co-opted into a world that is far from the truth.

If this is not done, then today's hostilities and hatred will continue to fester, and that will only suit the terrorists and their evil and sick ways.

DAVID WALLIS, Medan, North Sumatra