What a Waste of an Education

So, Prof. Paul Meyers has had his way. Well, good for him and bad for us. The professor has made it a point to desecrate the Holy Eucharist to prove “the cracker” has no power. He has been given consecrated Hosts and with one of them, he has driven into it a rusty nail then cavalierly thrown it into the trash. This University of Minnesota professor really gives higher learning an excellent poster child. (Probably why he remains an associate professor.)

So now, it is reported the professor wants to be protected from “their freedom of speech”. Whose? No one is forcing the professor to believe or not believe anything. Now, this professor is trying to defend his actions as free speech. That is the problem with free speech; it allows everyone the same right. Sorry, Dr. Meyers.

Nevertheless, what appears to be at issue is how to behave, not freedom of speech. Some people believe that prayer should be returned to schools. They may use this as an argument. I am no so sure but allow me to tell this story.

When I was growing up, my fifth grade teacher, Mary Perry, would read to us a piece of scripture each morning, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. We really hated it. The following year was when prayer in schools was abolished. As elementary school children we were gleeful in finding out Mrs. Perry would not be forcing the boredom on her present class that was forced on ours. (And it was boredom.) There we were, wringing our hands with delight. Is that what Dr. Meyers is doing?

What I have discovered in my advancing years is Mrs. Perry had something to offer by this ritual. What she was teaching us was morals. In the public school, we had many different children with just as many beliefs. None of us was traumatized by this display of morality. Our teacher did not promote one denomination over another or one religion over another. She also had us read Greek and Roman mythology for small lessons in how to behave. (Does this make me a Greek or Roman?) We read these stories today as morality plays, how we should behave toward on another.

So, Dr. Meyers, if I may offer this for your consideration. You are not getting the response you wanted, as disgusting as it is to so many people. Perhaps you should give your tirade a rest and take a hint from Mrs. Perry. Your beliefs are not being forced on me and mine are not being forced on you. The proper thing would be to respect each other’s views and continue on using what we have as common ground.

Therefore, thank you, Dr. Meyers, for making me sit up and take notice. It is too bad that an action as childish as yours made me look at the situation for what it is. What a terrible waste of an education when all you can do is find a way to make a few people upset. Couldn’t try something for the good of society, I take it.