By Glenn Kolp, Guest Columnist
I’m hearing a disturbing amount of chatter from parents and grandparents in our area of the country concerning the dangers of getting a college education, particularly if it’s pursued anywhere but Tri-County Community College, Western Carolina University or a religiously affiliated institution.
Their core argument and the basis for their fears lies in the belief that you, their children, will be brainwashed by liberal educators if you continue your education too far from home. It is of paramount importance to them that they keep you close at hand, where they can monitor your opinions and ensure you aren’t led astray.
From the moment you were born, you have endured a nearly constant barrage of hyper-religious indoctrination, racism and homophobia – all administered with a spoonful of sugar masquerading as love.
Unfortunately, most of you will not be able to overcome this deeply ingrained bias and hatred. You’ll go through life believing and parroting the same falsehoods you’ve been hearing your whole lives, ensuring that the next generation will be infected with the same toxic lies you were.
In college, you’ll learn that conception is not a miracle from God, but simple biology, as it is with all living things. And that abortion is a reasonable choice for some women, depending on the circumstances.
No guilt should be associated with the decision to abort an unwanted pregnancy. Above all, it’s a matter for the woman to decide, not a group of old holier-than-thou legislators and judges.
You’ll learn that none of us can consciously control what gender we’re attracted to, and that sexual orientation isn’t evil, sinful or disgusting. Homosexuality exists in over 1,500 species.
Having had many gay friends and coworkers, I feel for those in our area who will never be able to come out for fear of the retribution that will be brought upon them.
You’ll learn that our planet is not 6,000 years old, but closer to 4.5 billion, and that all living things including ourselves share a common ancestor that existed in the primordial seas that covered our planet many millions of years ago. Evolution is no longer theory, but fact proven out through the science of genetics.
You’ll learn that the color of one’s skin has nothing to do with how smart or good a person is. While pursuing your education, you’ll have the opportunity to meet many individuals who differ from yourself in terms of race, religion and origin. Hopefully, that exposure will counteract some of the lies and misconceptions you’ve been taught and turn out to be an enlightening experience for you.
In truth, the goal of higher education is not to teach you stuff. It’s to open your mind to fresh ideas and give you clarity of vision based on facts and evidence.
In John 8:32, Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.”
Truer words were never spoken.
The writer is a resident of Andrews.