Free thinking; Is questioning authority now taboo, especially if we believe that what we are being told is wrong?

2014-07-09T00:49:47-04:00

I know that while I was growing up my parents and many of the teachers I had throughout my educational youth, once we had the capacity to do so, taught us how to think for ourselves. That being said my questions are: are our children and our children's children being taught to think for themselves? To think critically? Is this even a trait that is welcomed in the world today? Is creative thinking being stifled as a means of control? Is questioning authority now tabboo, especially if we believe that what we are being told is wrong?

I have heard about and seen some textbooks that have recreated and/or rewritten the first 2 Amendments in the Bill of Rights. Who checks these and approves them as teaching aids? Whoever it is needs to find a new job.

I am not in any way trying to vilify teachers, they can only work with what they are given. What kind of educational legacy are we leaving for our progeny?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2014 8:18 PM

2014-07-09T20:18:13-04:00

And some teachers are naturally democrats and anti-right.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jul 31 at 2014 8:49 AM

2014-07-31T08:49:11-04:00

We are leaving a dysfunctional, and damaging educational legacy. We have a significant percentage of people graduating HS who are functionally illiterate. You are absolutely correct CPL Brown. Our Schools are so busy teaching our children WHAT to think that they ignore the primary goal of education which is to teach our children HOW to think Critically.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 31 at 2014 9:45 AM

2014-07-31T09:45:03-04:00

Probably the same folks who are saying OK to core curriculum and standardized testing. I always wanted to learn 5 ways to do long division, didn't you??

Historical documents like the Constitution and Bill of Rights, IMHO, should not be interpreted as they are taught. They should be taught as is and for what they are and individuals can interpret them later. I believe it we allow teachers or text books to interpret such things it will add more fuel to the fire.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 6:22 PM

2014-07-31T18:22:00-04:00

I think that any teacher that does teach the wrong information has given up their job. They've abandoned what they've set out to do. It's everyone in the education system that has part to blame, and all of us as U.S. Citizens. Just as any problem in our society is, we should all share the blame and all give to the fix.