INDOCTRINATION....Who ME?

We use the word freedom with a great deal of freedom! The idea of freedom has so many different levels that it could easily become a very substantial  topic of discussion. I suppose in today's context - Mali, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Syria etc. (You get the picture and I could probably name a few places closer to home!) We North Americans think in terms of political freedom and human rights. There are terrible struggles going on in these countries. Unfortunately, such struggles seem to always involve "killing", especially the innocent and those who don't accept the current obsessions, doctrines or beliefs.

I vaguely remember growing up when WWI was not a distant memory and WWII had me studying with bedroom blackout curtains, flat on my stomach on the floor under a blanket-draped bed. There were rumours around that World War One was the 'war to end war', an idea propagated by H.G. Wells in England. And, as the allies moved towards victory in the Second World War, the same hopes were inspired by Lili Marleen's German love song or Vera Lynn singing:

There'll be bluebirds over

The White cliffs of Dover

Tomorrow

Just you wait and see.

But the violence carries on and we never seem to come closer to the peace and freedom, as defined by us and wished by us on others.

Tabula Rasa - A New Baby's Brain!

There are as many reason men go to war as there are stars in the sky. But one reason each of us need to confront within ourselves is indoctrination. There is some justification as to why we are indoctrinated into our family, our social network and our country. But it is easy to confuse indoctrination with education. Someone who has been indoctrinated is usually not expected to question or to critically examine the doctrine.  Many of us were raised, for example, as Christians where the principles we were taught, and I use that word loosely, were even referred to as The Doctrine. Those who indoctrinate, have themselves been indoctrinated. During the war we called it 'brain washing'. Indoctrinators seem to  believe that when a child is born his or her brain is a "tabula rasa" or a blank slate void of any content. It is empty and must be filled with doctrine and beliefs.

On the other hand socialization is the process by which we learn to live together with one another in the world. And part of that process is education where we also, or should, learn to be thoughtful and critical as we mature. 

Keeps Me in and You Out!

So I find myself as I grow old trying to sort out what was indoctrination in my life experience and how do I free myself to develop my full potential. It can be a challenging and painful process. It is like wearing different suits of metal armour, as in the T.V. ad for Advil. In this case freeing ourselves takes time and courage. Even at my age the effort is certainly well worth it! It is the only way to fully appreciate the individual freedom we so dearly cherish.

A recent quote that impressed me and confirms the importance of doing this: "The past is a great place to visit, but you can't live there. You go back for two reasons - to celebrate, to learn. You don't go back to replay all that stuff that upset you."  (Maurice O'Callaghan - Professional speaker)

Freedom has many dimensions, and one dimension is shedding the armour of early life's indoctrination, no matter how well meant, as the chick sheds it's shell and steps into the sunlight of the here and now.

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week