Christ or Anti-Christ? Powerful Statements and Perspectives on Education Philosophy
By Shaun Knapp

(Another Article, a great resource here)

From an LDS doctrinal perspective, Education is most critical as: "man cannot be saved in ignorance." Education is then important, however there are many types of philosophies on how to achieve it's attainment, and what will be the underlying motive for it's pursuit. We shall explore two philosophies in contradiction to each other that are as old as the earth itself, and then we shall explore the great theme of education in Zion, a place where "there are no poor" among the people, and where is lived the principles of the "Celestial Kingdom of our God." Additionally, Zion is by definition the "pure in heart." Can we fathom the miracle of attending schooling with all students, being "pure in heart"? How would such schooling take place and would it resemble anything we are accustomed to in our generation?

Get an Education!

Modern revelation states that the "glory of God is Intelligence." Latter-day saints are counseled frequently on the subject matter of the importance of Education, such as:

"Be Smart. The Lord wants you to educate your minds and hands, whatever your chosen field. There can be no doubt, none whatever, that education pays."
---Gordon B. Hinckley

Education does pay. Additionally, inspired counsel from a prophet and church leader President Gordon B. Hinckley states:

"You belong to a church that teaches the importance of education. You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your hands. The Lord has said, “Teach ye diligently … of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—that ye may be prepared in all things” (D&C 88:78-80).

Another church leader, Apostle Henry B. Eyring has given in interesting insight into the role conversion (true conversion) plays in the obtaining of education:

"Conversion Brings a Drive to Learn

"From the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in the time of Joseph Smith to our own days, you can see the evidence of that drive to learn springing from true conversion . . .

"Those who have planted the good word of God and have served faithfully invariably have awakened in them a great desire for self-improvement. And with that comes a desire to learn more and to gain greater skills." (Elder Henry B. Eyring Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles CES Fireside for Young Adults 6 May 2001.)

Einstein Against Compulsion in Education

What should be done for young people then? Why so much resistance to education? The writer of this article left High school thinking he was anti-education, only to discover that he loves to learn, but detests corrupt means of obtaining education. Truly I love education and learning, but I must have felt as did Albert Einstein:

"It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mainly in need of freedom; without this it goes to wreck and ruin without fail. It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a sense of duty." (In H. Eves Return to Mathematical Circles, Boston: Prindle, Weber and Schmidt, 1988.)

This Brilliant mind also took a stab at the educational establishment which he did not like when he stated:

"Education is that which remains when one has forgotten everything learned in school."

Also Einstein stated:

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."

It is most incredible to find such statements coming from such a man, an icon of what it means to be brilliant, to be a genius. Clearly Einstein is not anti-knowledge. Pursuit of knowledge was his life's work. One of the many interesting insights we grasp from the above quotations would be the rejection of a philosophy of "forced" or "coercive" education. This great mind understood and knew how compulsion was disastrous, and destructive. This idea is a debate that rages, not only in education but in all areas of endeavor. A Modern Prophet has stated:

"The War in Heaven is Raging on Earth Today"
----Ezra Taft Benson

Ezra Taft Benson here was referring to the Biblical accounting of a great war in Heaven where Lucifer, Son of the Morning, was cast out of heaven for rebellion, after he sought to take away the agency or freedom of choice of man, and to seat himself in the throne of God. Though that battle took place long ago, the war begun there ensues to this day.

Philosophies: Christ versus Anti Christ

We start first with Anti-Christ. LDS Church President Ezra Taft Benson spoke frequently about "Satan and his emissaries." Certainly it is difficult for some to comprehend that men in the flesh do promote satanic anti-christ philosophies and doctrines, patterned exactly after the sophistry and arguments that Lucifer had used to pull away at "third of the hosts of heaven" after him. We find his philosophy proceeds from the pen of one of the early leaders of the semi-secret Fabian Socialist Society, the famous and great play write: George Bernard Shaw. Shaw takes an opposite side on the education issue as stated by Einstein Shaw was in favor of not only compulsory education, but compulsion in all areas of ones life. The great Tony Award Winning documentary film maker and author G. Edward Griffin quotes Shaw in his monumental and landmark book The Creature from Jekyll Island , pg. 101:

"Under Socialism, you would not be allowed to be poor. You would be forcibly fed, clothed, lodged, taught, and employed whether you liked it or not. If it were discovered that you had not character and industry enough to be worth all this trouble, you might possibly be executed in a kindly manner; but whilst you were permitted to live, you would have to live well." (George Bernard Shaw: The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Socialism and Capitalism, 1928, pg. 470)

Shaw's statement illustrates a powerful philosophy that some in sincerity may embrace, but which causes lovers of liberty to shudder at the thought of such implemented authoritarianism, for it masquerades under a "charitable" guise, plum filled and made of "good intentions." This kind of philosophy in education (is) and would be would be the ultimate destroyer of man's incentive for learning, as he would instinctively rebel against it. His stated philosophy of force and coercion implemented would crush "holy curiosity" as Einstein would put it. Thus we see a conflict. It is most interesting to find many are seduced to believe in and uphold the "good intentioned" philosophy of force. Lets investigate a bit deeper into the "motives" that Shaw would have had for seeking implementation of compulsion by investigating the following portrayal of the infamous Fabian Socialist stained glass window.

The infamous stained glass window of the Fabian Socialists, a semi-secret society. Depicted is the notion of the masses of the earth bowing down and worshiping the "learning of man." We see in the crest between the two men (one of which represents George Bernard Shaw) a a wolf in sheep's clothing. These two men "remould the earth" more nearer "their hearts desire." This imagery prominently and chillingly reminds us of the warning of Ezra Taft Benson that "the world worships the learning of man." Though we must seek learning, it is not sought by followers and converts of Christ so that it might be worshiped. Somehow we look at this depiction and find a satanic counterfeit found therein. The masses of people are not being lifted up and being ennobled, but rather manipulated and controlled through falsehoods taught to ensnare them, which they do foolishly "worship."

Here then in Einstein and Shaw we find an impressive conflict in philosophies that can be studied in much greater detail than will be attempted to be explored here. However, to One who believes in the Restored Gospel of Jesus, and takes serious the opportunity to gain knowledge, and to procure it for posterity, friends and neighbors, these conflicts in philosophy cannot be ignored. We either stand more in the way of Satanic compulsion, or we stand with freedom, not wanting to destroy "holy curiosity" in others by forcing others into learning that deprives them of agency to learn for their own delight and by their own volition. Christ would have us seek knowledge in order to lift others up and serve them. This is Christ's method, to humble ourselves by raising others to our level or higher, quite the reverse philosophy of Shaw and his Fabian Socialists.

Gods of The Modern World by José Clemente Orozco Ortiz

Jose Clemente Orozco painting "Gods of The Modern World" portrays the elites of Higher Education in all their costume and Garb, of both American and European dress as being dead or nearly dead men. Page Smith uses Orozco's painting (which adorns a wall in the library of Dartmouth College) on the cover of his book Killing The Spirit, a most powerful and complimentary Union. The imagery based on the theme of the book would draw one to conclude that these skeletal elites in Education have "killed" things "spiritual" which leaves death. The painting illustrates a vain attempt to bring forth life from that which is dead. What symbolism lay behind the fetus like figures upon whose skulls we find the adorning of a graduation cap? Such imagery brings to mind the statement in a commencement prayer at the religious and private Brigham Young University, by the world renown scholar Hugh Nibley when he said: "We have met here today clothed in the black robes of a false priesthood . . ."

Harvard Graduate and UCLA Professor Page Smith blasts Higher education in his outstanding book "Killing The Spirit"

In "killing The Spirit" Page Smith illustrates and exposes flaws and hypocrisy of the Educational establishment. It is a humorous read from a brilliant scholar who takes us through the history of Higher Education in America, a most remarkable journey.

Education in Zion

There is much of great anticipation for the world ahead, at least to those who love to learn, and who are willing to seek out and implement true and correct principles, for the places of

To Be Continued. . .