Viva Diversity!

"Diversity raises the intelligence of groups." - Nancy Kline

Have you ever noticed when people shut themselves away from mingling with others, they become narrow, rigid and judgemental? Classic example- religio/political conservatives who create communes or go off to live in remote areas. Remember Waco? Enough said! The purpose is to be shielded from interaction with anyone who thinks differently. This is based on a false assumption that they alone know the truest path in life and mingling with anyone else of another persuasion will somehow pollute them. (This is PRIDE under the guise of "righteous living", "caution" & "discernment".

I homeschooled my children for years- for the most part, I enjoyed it. Homeschool can be a VERY positive and bonding experience for families. But children need exposure to a variety of people & ways of thinking on a regular basis or their ideas & mannerisms become painfully inbred. I'm sure you've met naive, mal-adjusted children before. I've seen it first-hand many times. Parents wring their hands and weep, "We did everything right, where did we go wrong"? I feel for these people. (I was nearly convinced at one point to become a seclusionist) Often well-meaning parents who feel their views are far superior to anyone else's hide their kids away. Their children finally grow up and are able to get out on their own- but often CRACK under the pressure of facing society. They either go wild in rebellion or retreat back to their private, padded little worlds. Diversity & exposure to basic elements of life are important!

Consider the case of the germa-phobic parents who constantly disinfected everything from toys, doorknobs, hands- even the bottoms of their shoes. They wouldn't allow any pets for fear of contamination. The poor kids even had to wear masks when they were outside the sanitized household. They grew up to be sick all the time. Why? Their immune systems were under-developed. Having never dealt with germs that normal people face on a daily basis, they were simply weak. Overly sanitary living and shielding kids from every form of worldliness/temptation doesn't teach them how to make good choices. They must learn to choose rightly while still under the guidance of loving parents. This involves a little exposure and (scary as it is) it means encouraging the children to think for themselves. Pass on core values- yes! However, our duty as parents is not to make little carbon-copy replicas of ourselves that mirror all our exact preferences. We are to raise healthy, balanced, functional children who will enter society and make a difference.

A scientific example of the need for diversity is that of the purebred dog. Take a breed with good genetics overall, and over breed it with other dogs of similar genetic make-up- you end up with genetic disease & malformation. Some ethical breeders I know import dogs from overseas to keep canine bloodlines from becoming too inbred.

Long ago in the Hawaiian isles, people came from the same basic genetic pool. They had a beautiful culture, but realized outside "influences" were needed. History tells us that parents of young island girls would often try to arrange "encounters" with sailors, fishermen & missionaries who visited in order to ensure the propogation of a healthier lineage.

I'm going WAY against the grain in saying this, but I sure wonder what purpose religious denominations serve other than to divide us. Why didn't the Jews of old get along with Samaritans? Why can't Baptists, Methodists and Lutherans get along? Or Catholics and Adventists?? These are all Christian people, but when was the last time you saw them have a picnic together or join efforts for a good cause?? Why don't Shia & Sunni Muslims get along? It is the same God they worship.

Bottom line? We need each other. We need outside influences spiritually & culturally. Rather than dismiss anyone who doesn't think the way we do, perhaps we should carefully examine values, beliefs and practices of others. What is there to fear? What do we have to lose by doing so??