Often I think we often negate the role that religion plays in a country's historical context. In our own unique rich history not only does religious freedom play a significant role but religion does as well. Puritanism is weaved into our economic, social,and political collective soul of America.We are not alone... it may sound simplistic but where would Rome be without Catholicism? On a personal level my being involved in the Lutheran faith as a child, with its focus on social justice has a great deal to do with my view of the world as well as my choice to be an urban educator In countries where there are state religions those particular countries it is noted that a more profound effect is realized.
Although I knew on some level that Confucianism was rooted in the Chinese experience.... after the lecture I felt that the inverse was true... that the Chinese experience was rooted in Confucianism. There are many teachings of Confucianism that resonate with me. The emphasis on Knowledge, the importance of Education and inherently that there is a difference between the two...implicitly stated " He revers the words of the sages" For some reason I glammed on to "it is more important to be worthy of office than to have it" Perhaps this is because I have a great deal of interest in organizational leadership but more specifically school leadership from an academic perspective... and find many in school leadership positions are not aware of this view & as a result can't embrace it. This in many ways impacts the ways in which schools do business and kids suffer. My view of the continent and of Asians is changing & previously held paradigms altered. This can be and should be the emphasis for the infusion of East Asia, culture, art, religion, language, history not just in the Language Arts, S.S. curriculum but my eyes are opened to have it incorporated into elective coursework also. I am left on the edge of my seat hoping to get on my feet and do something with that notion.
TWC, Rand
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