THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 25, 1995 TAG: 9508250005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
``Allen's criminal rhetoric'' (editorial, Aug. 8) was, in my opinion, right on the mark, as far as it went. But we will never, never put a serious dent in the crime problem until we find a way to teach morals to children starting at a very early age.
This would not have to be a formalized framework like ``Morals 101.'' It would have to be a system that would pervade our educational system and the entertainment industry. All school books, for instance, could be subtly morals-oriented in the early school years through high school, and all major religions, with their basic tenets, should be taught with no suggestion that one is more nearly correct than the other.
Morally oriented movies should be shown frequently; if movies that portray violence can effect behavior, then we can reasonably assume that movies that feature moralistic behavior could do the same.
Some will argue that this is a burden schools should not be required to bear, but until someone comes up with a better way, the schools are the only vehicle we have. There is no need to say that parents and churches should shoulder this responsibility; they simply cannot and will not. The important thing is that moral principles should be taught rather than arguing about who should do it.
There will be another objection raised by the very ones who should support such programs, those religious leaders and church members who argue that morals cannot be taught outside of a religious framework, and who ultimately conclude that the only framework suitable for the task is the church of their faith. This only leads to an impasse, and a job that is desperately needed goes undone.
Yet another group will object on the grounds that such activity is nothing short of brainwashing and that we will raise a nation of robots. But these people need to realize that childrens' brains are crammed every day with highly undesirable experiences and ideas that shape their thinking and their lives. Are they not entitled to an opportunity to learn how to lead honest, productive lives?
Z. L. LANGLEY SR.
Virginia Beach, Aug. 9, 1995 by CNB