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As President Bush stated in last week's State of the Union Address, the No Child Left Behind Act, which is up for reconsideration this year, has raised educational standards in Math and Science. Is the goal of a U.S. public education solely focused on the roles of Mathematicians and Scientists or the role of educating children to become responsible, accountable and dignity-respecting adults?As a society, the clergy sex abuse crisis that erupted in 2002, has revealed horrific truths about sex abuse crimes committed against children and an obvious weakness in the U.S. education system. Why?
*** There is an attorney some where in U.S. history that believed freedom of religion allowed employees of religious institutions to commit sex abuse crimes against children and vulnerable adults, without facing criminal or civil sanctions.
*** There is a religious leader some where in U.S. history who believed that guaranteed civil rights, freedom to be safe from sex abuse crimes, did not include children when the crimes were committed by employees of a religious institution.
*** There are government, political and religious leaders today and in U.S. History, who had/have the authority to correct the wrongs revealed since the clergy sex abuse crisis erupted; however, why are so many elected officials delaying new legislation similar to California's 2003 Sex Abuse Law, returning denied justice to victims of sex abuse crimes?
If our society does not confront the sex abuse crisis head-on and correct the wrongs that have destroyed lives, our children will continue to watch adults squirm and avoid any references to the sex abuse crisis. Is this really the message we want to send to our children who will be the leaders of the United States of America in the near future?
The clergy sex abuse crisis is history in the making which can easily be addressed in U.S. History and Government classes throughout the U.S. In addition, there are documentary films, "Deliver Us From Evil" and "Hand of God" that can be used as visual and discussion tools focusing on the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and laws government separation of Church and State.
Rest assured, sex abuse is a controversial subject; however, our children continue to watch leaders in the U.S. avoid the subject and dodge the how's and why's of the scandals. To delay corrective action and discussion is in actuality, intimidating free speech, press and opinion in matters of public interest and safety.
Before the No Child Left Behind Act is renewed, we have a duty to determine whether our children's educational foundation is strong enough to support the laws outlined in the U.S. Constitution -- not just Mathematics and Sciences.
Without justice, there will never be peace. Without peace, faith and our country's laws are empty.
