Reproduction is part of life itself. All living things have their own means of reproduction; they have bodily parts committed to that function and their trip mechanisms for using those bodily parts (as well as their techniques). All aimed at perpetuating a species. That is the design of Nature. And none are exempted.

Human sexuality is a highly developed aspect of life. It has its physical components, to be sure, but it also has its emotional and spiritual aspects. In all the world about us, with its diversity of sex forms and practices, it is only the physical differences between human male and female, and the means of bringing them together, that the adult world tries to shroud in a mystery -- that the young seem to pierce so readily. Here is the kernel of what we call ‘sex education,’ with all the mischief that creates, that bugaboo that divides parents into warring camps about the proper roles of schools and of churches and of parents. But, to my mind, this information should be simply a rational extension of all that has gone before so the developing child sees human sexuality as simply part of the whole sweep of reproduction of all the species that co-inhabit our Earth.

A child should be (and generally is) introduced to reproduction at the very earliest. Kittens. Puppies. Seeds. Birds in their nests. Emotional love between parents. What the child sees is a beautiful world with all these things, each growing after its own peculiar fashion. There is nothing sordid or gory here. Even though there is no necessity for revealing all in one swoop, the idea of male and female permeates the whole of life and each child should be exposed to the context of reproduction and details of methods, each topic in an outline laid out for gradual but complete understanding.

Things too small to be seen (which a child can understand as the reason for washing his hands before eating) are so widespread because they reproduce so readily, by growth and bodily division. Mosquitoes and flies and butterflies lay eggs from which come larvae and finally flying creatures. Plants blossom with nectar (the female part) to attract bees and butterflies so pollen (the male part) can be spread so seeds can form. Birds and fish and frogs lay eggs. Cats and horses and monkeys select mates one-on-one. From the simplest to the most complex, male and female each has its role. And so it goes throughout the full range of living things, plants, animals, fungi: No living thing is immune from a design for its reproduction.

(Personal cleanliness has become an element of sex education in that public attention is increasingly directed to "child abuse." I submit that the needs of cleanliness of the genitals and anus are almost as pressing as cleanliness in food handling and consumption. There is obviously a dividing line between fondling for sexual gratification and manipulating to assure cleanliness. Cleanliness is necessary; it is morally offensive to seek sexual gratification under the guise of encouraging cleanliness.)

We had a discussion about means of reducing the number of abortions in humans -- no thought for pros and cons of abortion -- simply reducing the numbers. We quickly realized there were two major aspects: terminating a pregnancy, and creating the pregnancy. Termination is what creates the public divide; creation is where we concentrated our attention. And it quickly became the concensus that education plays a key role in avoiding unwise or unwanted pregnancies. And it was agreed that putting human sexuality into a context of Nature’s design would dispell the mysteries, at the same time encouraging responsible behavior and reducing the desire for premature sexual explorations.

An organized presentation certainly beats a twelve-year-old boy sneering at his younger friend about lack of knowledge of the mysteries of adult practices, with all the misinformation, curiosity and mischief that engenders.

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Going beyond simple concern for the immortal soul

I understand the zeal to bring Christianity to the heathen; I can applaud the efforts to introduce good public health practices and create health care systems; I agree that remedying illiteracy is vital to the future. But there is another facet of life that has been overlooked in most missionary endeavors: the economy and the efficiency of the economic engine needed to support those same heathen.

Part of what our religious missionaries have done, in addition to improving literacy, is curb infant mortality and improve general health, thus enabling extended life spans and a resultant increase in population. To the exclusion of the economic reforms that make possible the healthy and sustained economic growth necessary to support the larger population. The urgency of food production to feed the larger population, without introduction of improved agricultural methodology to increase yield, has resulted in failing farms and their abandonment and pressing into production marginal lands that cannot sustain production and must in turn be abandoned. And vast areas have been denuded and turned into virtual desert. At the same time local people need local industry, if farming is to become more efficient, in order to give employment to displaced farmers.

But many missionary agencies pursue their one-sided efforts and the problems of famine and poverty worsen. With all good intentions, vast areas and their native populations have adopted a new religion while their self-sustaining way of life has given way to impoverishment of a different and much more cruel sort.

Granted, these results have largely been in foreign lands and in selected pockets in this country, but it should be obvious that the human need extends far beyond the needs of the soul alone.

Possible local industry

I have wondered at the value of knives -- cheap with durable blades -- in the hands of people generally and fishermen especially -- in preparation of foods for immediate consumption as well as preservation. A small knife in each household would be of tremendous value in elevating a village to self-sufficiency, while a specialized knife in the hands of the fisherman could prepare his catch for distribution and/or preservation.

Selection of agricultural crops, taking advantage of local conditions rather than using chemicals, requires knowledge of the locals, their tastes and their situation. But an increase in food production should have obvious benefits to most communities.

If cooking is used in food preparation, then means of starting the fire, using a magnifying glass, may be a valuable assist.

Garments, ropes and other fiber products might be improved by introduction of locally supportable crops.

Within the limits of local clays, locally produced ceramic cooking and eating utensils could improve local life.

Disposal of bodily wastes may hold opportunities for local industry. Could a multiple-family-size septic tank and leach field serve as both waste disposal and garden fertilizer?

Composting of vegetable wastes and certain other wastes has the potential to both dispose of refuse and provide fertilizers for local agriculture.

Granted, all these would require some level of training of the locals in their use, but for some of these suggestions a single or annual visit by the trainer should suffice without the need for reading skills on the part of the locals. (I do, of course, advocate educating all who have the capacity to receive, but that is a longer-range project requiring training of a corps -- and schools or colleges for that purpose -- who would then spend time locally in educating all who choose to receive.)

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I have long known that alumni clubs contribute heavily to building a winning team for their school. I had not known of the activities that prepare the athletes to compete. A youngster, once identified as potentially outstanding as an athlete, is herded into camps and other training activities to accentuate his athletic prowess. Ignoring acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to participate in other aspects of a happy and fulfilling life. Sacrificing the child to the vanity and wealth of the organizers.

It is a system that screams for reform. If every promising young athlete could become an outstanding performer in his sport, thus satisfying his need for success and financial support, the system might be justified. But for every successful athlete there are many who will be forced into other careers; short-changing them in their education is unconscionable. When you compare the cost to aspiring athletes (in lack of preparation for alternate careers) with the gain (on the part of organizers) from building a successful team, the imbalance is apparent. Thus sacrificing the child to the wealth of organizers is a gross distortion of values and a shameful display of greed.

Who, other than the church, can speak out for restoration of balance between competition and greed?

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POLITICS: Overextension of Federalism

"The Ten Commandments" and various religious symbols (including artifacts of Christmas) should be prominently displayed wherever local peoples wish so long as it is local money funding the presentation. The First Amendment to our Constitution enjoins the U.S. Congress from engaging in and supporting religiously-oriented activities; it does not speak to private efforts or to publicly-funded efforts not involving federal monies. The U.S. Supreme Court should have no jurisdiction over locally-funded religious activities and has greatly over-extended the bounds of its charter. It may require an Amendment to the Constitution to correct this judicial error.

I am greatly saddened by the growth of Political Correctness, using the authority of the Court as its foundation, especially in the suppression of that Christian holiday, Christmas. If it is true that fewer than 15% of the population profess to disbelieve in deity, then refusing to openly acknowledge deity by the 85% in order to avoid offending the 15% is, to my mind, sorely out of balance.

Abortion has become controversial, although to generations past it was a very ordinary activity carrying no moral implications. The Constitution recognizes the authority of states and localities in matters not specifically enumerated in that document; sex and related practices are obviously outside the concern of the U.S. Supreme Court. Rules dealing with marriage and civil unions, except where federal taxes or monies are involved, are outside the realm of federal concerns. It is true local and state authorities have welcomed federal assistance in suppressing interstate criminal activities, and that may be justified by the U.S. Congress' authority over interstate commerce. What the public has witnessed is large scale intrusion of federal authority into local affairs under the guise of almost-trivial federal contributions to local funding. Federal authority ought to be limited (except where authority is obviously granted by the Constitution) to formulating model legislation and offering that to the states, with absolutely no jurisdictional or enforcement activity.

The motto "In God We Trust" has been part of our coinage, "So help me God" in oath-taking, and various acknowledgments of the importance of religion in our country's past have been part of the American fabric from the beginning of the republic -- and even before in motivating people to come here to find a new home. So we have used the name "God" as that of deity. A very small percentage of our population takes any offense at recognizing there may be an authority exceeding their personal boundary. I see no reason to offend the vast majority to avoid offending the few.