Quiz your children

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