The wise words of my parents “You were given a brain, use it” often surfaced throughout my life.

At the age of fifteen, I decided to leave the church of my youth which seemed to expect me to leave my brain at the door.  When I would ask a question I was told “Do not question” and read the books of our faith.”

I did.  And then I had more questions and continued to be told “Don’t question.”

“Don’t question”???  Isn’t that why I was given a brain? … to ask questions … to doubt … to consider possibilities … to challenge situations of injustice … to think for myself … to come to my own opinion?

When I became a parent. I intentionally taught my son to think … research subjects … be open to learning from others … discuss what he was learning … listen to the opinions of others … come to his own independent opinion.

In other words,  he was raised to be a thinker – not simply go with the crowd … not to agree with my views – but to come to his own opinions about … politics … truth … relationships …  religion … abortion … euthanasia … capital punishment … sexuality … and more.

I like to think that reading and doing research, becoming informed, respectfully listening to the opinions of others, discussing and debating and eventually coming to our own opinions is a responsibility.

If you/I were given a brain, surely the Giver of the Gift expects us to use the gift at all times and particularly in these difficult days of elusive truth.   So,  we must seek truth … we must pursue truth, even if it alienates us from loved ones, from political party adherence, from religious tenets.  We must think.  Think For Ourself.  It is our responsibility

Photo & Text © June Maffin

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