As
imperfect humans we are constantly in search for perfection. Our
sinful nature takes perfect solutions and twist them into must-have
goals. We see a solution and as a result of our need for it we push
and pull and do everything we can to achieve it regardless of we must
destroy or minimize to get there. Ideologies control our society.
Ideals are what we as imperfect humans are constantly on the hunt
for. Our educational system wants for all its students to be at the
same academic level. It wants for students to be educated. When a
possible option is proposed for students to all be at the same level
it is reached for and forcefully attained. Schools place a list of
standards on every grade that determines the effectiveness of the
student and the teacher. Those standard become the end goal of the
entire class therefore taking the title of ideology.
I have
spent the last few weeks with a great group of fellow students
working through the ideas represented in Hope in Troubled Times.
This interesting book does well
to paint a clear picture of what an ideology looks like. It uses
parallels such as communism or Easter Island. Along with its rather
dark take on ideology it ties hope in as a factor. It brings about
new and interesting ways that one can help
to instill hope in trouble
times.
Our
educational system is one of the many things affected by ideologies.
Human's need a solution. From the beginning of time we've spent our
time searching for God. Our sin has left a void within us; a void
that is intended for God to fill. However, God doesn't offer quick
fixes. He comes in slow movement. He offers solutions that take work
and time and shaping; that take faith. He doesn't always sweep in and
save the day. Sometimes he steps through the storm to stand beside us
rather than stop the storm. His purpose is to teach us not just fix
us. He wants us to learn to trust him. He wants us to learn from our
problems not just fix them. But ideologies offer so much more. They
offer a sparkling solution on a silver plate. When put in comparison
to God and his solution, the ideology looks like the better choice.
The quick fix for all of our solutions is going to bring about the
end of suffering, the end of poverty, the end of terrorism. Let's
take a step back and gather together on page 34 of Hope in
Troubled Times. In regards to
the very essence of an ideology it says, “Ideology in it's
original, classical sense involves a conscious, deliberate departure
from the ways of loving service of God and neighbor.” We know God
is an option. The Bible screams out to us that God is the answer. He
gives and takes away. He is gracious and merciful and time and time
again he restored the Isrealites; his people. Yet, we choose the
ideology because it's so pretty and it took God forty years to bring
his people to the promise; we can't wait forty years to end
suffering. When the authors say that choosing an ideology is a
“deliberate departure from the ways of loving God and neighbor it
goes back to definition of an ideology. Turn back to page 32 when the
authors give a straight definition saying that, “[Ideology is an]
entire set of conceptions and beliefs subscribed to by a specific
group of people.” As addressed already, it's an ideal idea created
as a solution. There doesn't seem to be anything negative about an
idea to help solve an issue. He, then, says that ideologies consist
of three things: an “absolutized” end goal, a reshaping of
society to make the ideology work, and finding all the possible ways
that the ideology can be met. In a sense, ideology is taking the
place of God and filling the void intended for Him. An ideology
becomes all that matters.
In
schools, grades and averages determine The school's and the teacher's
worth. If the students aren't up to par then they aren't good enough.
Teachers are stressed to make sure each students meets each standard
for their grade. For example, one of the first grade standards for
the state of Illinois is students must “use frequently occurring
adjectives.” When first graders graduate to second grade they must
use frequently occurring adjectives. Teachers must make sure those
standards are met. How is it that this way of teaching came about?
Some students can't keep up like others. If a lesson is taught once
and a student doesn't get it then it's the teachers job to make sure
that before they move on that student gets it. It hasn't always been
like that, teachers would teach a lesson and if a student didn't
understand the teacher would move on. It's a great idea to go back
and help students and make sure each one is keeping up with their
class. Our educational system wants all of our students to understand
and apply the material they're learning in class. But in the
process, the teachers are stressed out by the students that are
behind, and the students are stressed out by tests and grade
averages. The fun in learning has been removed and replaced it with
endless tests and standards. School isn't a place to gain knowledge
when children are bombarded by standards. It becomes a place where
kids are reminded of what they can't do. It becomes an ideology. It
becomes the number one priority in the classroom and teachers do
everything they can do achieve it even if that means risking the
happiness of their students.
