An Educated Citizenry

Thomas Jefferson was a firm believer in “the good sense of the people”. He trusted that the people of the newly-founded United States of America would be given “full information through the channel of the public papers”. In the present age of information, one should hope we could be “presented competing ideas and narratives” in order to promote an “educated citizenry capable of self-government.” During the era of robber barons, at the beginning of the 20th century, yellow journalism was rampant, with false information, propaganda, being fed to people. Too many rich dudes were pushing ideas which would benefit them, and this was permeating the press. This can be overcome as long as people are willing to read and listen to all sides of the issues. When presented with full information (as Mr. Jefferson hoped) their “good sense” would prevail. I’m pretty sure this is true today, but unfortunately there is so much information that many people become confused, not knowing what to believe. This is exacerbated by people believing what they hope is true. Add to that, information which has been consistently turned upside down, and we end up with beliefs which are hardwired into our psyche. Whew! We are learning we can become quiet and ask the universe to show us the way. Some people have developed the skill of seeing through misinformation, and knowing to turn away from it. I hope we all are becoming adept at this art, practicing it daily, and not being afraid of intuition guiding the way.

“Knowledge is power because it is certain, and certainty is strength. Perception is temporary. As an attribute of the belief in space and time, it is subject to either fear or love. Misperceptions produce fear and true perceptions foster love, but neither brings certainty because all perception varies. That is why it is not knowledge. True perception is the basis for knowledge, but knowing is the affirmation of truth and beyond all perceptions.”
—A Course in Miracles T-3.III.1:5-10

“A logical and scientific conclusion is reached only through the knowledge that there are not two bases of being, matter and mind, but one alone, — Mind.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 279:26-29