Education is a powerful tool against intolerance

The human rights issues that we experience on a daily basis are vast in quantity: religious discrimination, religious hatred, religious misunderstanding.

As a student at Sandpoint High School, the biggest problem I see with current high school students is their inability to have empathy for others. This may not appear to be a major problem relating to discrimination based on gender or sexual-orientation, however, it becomes hindersome to a healthy and functioning society when we speak of religious freedom and religious discrimination.

It is my belief young children should be exposed to as many religious views as possible, as early as is appropriate. The FBI reported an increase of Muslim-directed hate crimes of seven times in 2001, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attack. Being taught the beliefs of others allows teens to see the points of view of other people and to feel compassion for them.

What we are currently experiencing is a world where young people have not been educated properly about differing religious doctrine. According to dosomething.org statistics, “48 percent of Americans say they “seldom” or “never” read books (other than Scripture) or visit websites about their own religion. 70 percent say they seldom or never read books or visit websites about other religions.” A study by ing.com claims that 33 percent of school aged kids admit to being bullied based on religion or their family’s income.

No one is asking these people to agree with a religion, or a religious statement, but merely to be able to understand where a fellow human being is coming from.

Perspective is what this all boils down to. It is both the problem and the solution to the issue in question. People lose perspective over the years. They lose the ability to walk in another persons shoes, so to speak. They become so focused on what they believe to be right, that they lose sight of the hope for equality. Aleksander I. Solzhenitsyn once said “It’s an universal law — intolerance is the first sign of an inadequate education. An ill-educated person behaves with arrogant impatience, whereas truly profound education breeds humility.”

What must be remembered is that this country is based on religious freedom (among other things) for a reason. That reason being that our forefathers experienced firsthand the horrors of religious intolerance.

In my opinion a vast amount of people are stuck in a continual rut of being unable to step back and evaluate a situation from a different perspective. I encourage people to get out, experience new cultures and new customs. Do research about other beliefs and keep an open mind about what is learned. Remember to not discard others’ opinions just because you disagree with them. If a person believes something to be valid, that should be more than enough for another person to respect it.

It is only through exposure to different religions and beliefs that our society will become more tolerant. To be educated is an incredibly powerful tool.

ERIK R. BRUHJELL

Sandpoint