Welcome July - Goodbye June ......... 🦅

These guys make great company when we head out on long trips ......... 🦅

These guys make great company when we head out on long trips. If you notice they are not practicing social distancing so I will have to give them a timeout ......... 🦅

The Value of Higher Learning ......... 🦅

By Thomas F O'Neill

Working as a teacher in, China, I have seen firsthand the value of acquiring higher education. I have also witnessed how education, raised the standard of living for millions of people here. There are now over 550 million in China that have a middle-class income. That is more than the entire population of America and the standard of living in China will continue to rise due to the growing educational opportunities. Unfortunately, the middle-class in America is shrinking due to a widening gap between those who have much and those who have little in terms of a good quality of life.

A half-century ago the average high school graduate in America could find a job and achieve a middle-class income. A person seeking employment today with just a high school diploma will most likely earn less than the average college graduate. Good employment opportunities will be harder to find for those lacking a degree, especially in today’s world. With high unemployment, (due to the Coronavirus) many in America are and will continue to struggle to find decent-paying jobs. The number of underemployed may continue to rise as well.

I tell my students that a College degree shows potential employers that they possess critical thinking skills and that they value their education. There are many in America and China that question whether the high cost involved in earning that degree is worth the time and effort. Those same people will argue that there are many job seekers with degrees who can’t find work in their field. But people who enter the job market passing up an opportunity to go to college are most likely shortchanging their future for the here and now. Some choose to return to school in later years but find that it is harder to earn a degree with the added responsibilities that come with raising a family.

There is a growing number of adults returning to school though to better themselves by acquiring trade skills. They understand that it is their only option for better employment. Within the past thirty years or so education not only raised the standard of living in China but also had a profound impact on China’s growing economy. The economy here is on fast forward and it's growing exponentially with no sign of slowing down, it now has the largest domestic economy in the world. This is also adding to the higher standard of living in China due to higher wages being spurred by the rising job market.

More students in China are also traveling abroad to continue their education, not because education is so much better outside of China but rather, they understand the value of experiencing other cultures. Some of my students have commented in my cultural diversity class that learning new languages is not enough to get by in our global economy. You must also understand the cultures of those countries you want to do business with through international commerce. To be successful in business you must understand the cultural preferences of the corporate buyers on the global market. That is just one of the reasons why China is so open to the cultural exchange programs of various nations.

Throughout history, many conflicts among nations have occurred due to a lack of cultural understanding. An Educated society though can help its citizenry overcome negative preconceived notions and negative stereotypes that have led to national conflicts in the past.

Many cultural exchange students who traveled abroad experienced firsthand how their negative perceptions of foreigners changed to positive experiences. This occurred when foreign students simply interacted with one another while studying abroad.

There are many cultural exchange programs sponsored by American and foreign Universities. They are helping students from all over the world come to a greater understanding of the various cultures that make up our human race. When we gain a deeper understanding of other cultures, we in turn gain a deeper understanding of our own culture. That knowledge is truly valuable because when properly applied it can forge alliances build a deeper understanding of the cultural norms and customs of people throughout the world.

The appreciation of a country’s art, food, literature, and music is also part of the cultural experience. China is influenced by western music, western artifacts, classical literature from the west, and American food. American movies are hugely popular as well and they have had a profound impact on China’s perception of America. When the Chinese come to the U.S. the first thing, they realize is America is not like what they see in the movies.

In America and China, College students are gaining a clearer understanding that by placing themselves in the service of others they gain a stronger sense of their self-worth. Volunteerism lends itself towards boundless opportunities. Utilizing the students’ skills, knowledge, and education not only enhances the community but it also opens countless doors towards enhancing the student’s wellbeing. Upon graduation, it shows potential employers that they take civic responsibility and pride in their community.

In America, just like in China, many University educated individuals may not land those high paying jobs fresh out of their University, but many will turn to non-governmental service jobs. They will gain a sense of civic responsibility and work experience that is vital for landing jobs with higher pay.

Statistics show that educated individuals are more likely to vote and get involved in the political process. College graduates fresh out of school are also more likely to work for community agencies helping the less fortunate better themselves.

A college education can also lead to a life of continued learning and an appreciation of the opportunities that come with that learning. Many adults return to school not just for higher degrees but to simply take courses for self-enrichment to learn new skills or pursue hobbies and interests. Self-enrichment cannot be financially quantified though especially when that education is achieved throughout one’s lifetime.

A child’s education is vital to America’s future and our national wellbeing. Adults must do all that can be done to encourage the youth of America to continue their learning and to put their education to good use.

When students of mine get accepted to foreign Universities they feel as if they achieved something of extraordinary value. In reality, they have, because a great education cannot be measured monetarily it can only be freely shared through one’s character of achievement.

I tell my students that the true worth of a person is not measured through one's salary or what they spent on earning their degrees. What a student learns in the classroom will not ultimately define who they are as human beings either - but how well they live in communion with others will in the end define their true character. In other words, a person’s true worth can be measured by how well they spend their lives in the service of others. I have discovered over the years that what we give to our community, we, in turn, give to ourselves. When we enhance the lives of those in need, we, in turn, enhance our own lives - because what we give to others comes back to us in greater fold.

Fools will continue to strive for the material possessions they do not have but wish to gain. The wise on the other hand will develop what they already possess within themselves.

Higher learning is the means of developing the skills, knowledge, and understanding, that is truly needed in developing one’s true potential and in gaining a fulfilling career.

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill

U.S. voice mail: (800) 272-6464

China Cell: 011-86-13405757231

WeChat: Thomas_F_ONeill

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/

Another School year over ......... 🦅

Another School year over, soon another will begin, and I am going to miss these students ......... 🦅

A reflection on Church and State in our modern society ......... 🦅

By Thomas F O'Neill

My students here in China are always enquiring about American politics and our US national divide. For that reason alone, I gave them an assignment, I asked them to find three facts about our US politics. They then presented their findings in class the following week.

Ten of my students argued that America is a Christian Nation. They used the pilgrims as one historical example as to why America was founded on Christian principals. The history that other students brought up was not entirely flattering to our American ideals. Some of them mentioned the slaughter of the American Indians and the justification of slavery on religious grounds but perhaps I will leave that for another discussion.

I explained to them in class, that our Nation's Founding Fathers sought to set up a just society, not a Christian theocracy. For that reason, they specifically prohibited the establishment of Christianity – or any other faith – as the religion of our nation. At the same time, the First Amendment was drafted to ensure the liberty needed for religious freedom to have an ongoing and profound influence in American society separate from the Government.

I also explained that most but not all of our Founding Fathers were influenced by the popularity of Newtonian physics and deism. The deist of their day did not believe in a personal god and that had a direct influence on our national destiny. Many of our Founding Fathers viewed Christianity as practicing and living within superstitious beliefs.

However, it is an historical fact that the Founding Fathers were supportive of religion and its public practice and expression. It wasn’t until 1947 that the United States Supreme Court first used the concept of "separation" to isolate government from religion.

In Everson v. Board of Education, the court lifted a phrase from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to a Baptist church in Danbury, Connecticut. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect "a wall of separation between church and state."

In this ruling, the Supreme Court quoted Jefferson’s separation language as a normative guideline for understanding the First Amendment. This is especially remarkable when one realizes that Jefferson wasn’t even a member of the Constitutional Convention, and the phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear anywhere in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights.

A careful reading of Jefferson’s letter, his other writings, and the First Amendment itself makes it clear that it is the government that is restricted from intruding into any religious organization, and not people who are being restricted from having religious views within the government. However, they cannot use their office to impose their religious views or in implementing Government policy.

Freedom of religion is the goal, and the non-establishment clause is the means. The only way to have true freedom of religion is to keep government out of religion’s affairs. This view defines religious freedom in terms of government neutrality toward religion in which no religion is favored over any other, and neither religion nor secularism is favored over each other.

The First Amendment was rewritten 12 times to make clear its intent. The concept outlined in the Bill of Rights is "non-establishment" of religion, not the total isolation in the belief in God in government.

For nearly two centuries, state and federal governments have had a benevolent attitude toward religion in general, and Christianity in particular.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787, passed by the very same Congress which enacted the First Amendment, stated the following in Article III:

"Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."

Notice that religion and morality were equal with knowledge as proper subjects of public education.

I explained to my students that proselytizing in public schools is against the law in the US. However, I am a firm believer that Thomas Jefferson would have approved of comparative religion courses in the public school system. Comparative Religion courses can give us a deeper understanding of how humanity has searched for meaning and found purpose in life through the power of myth. Jefferson’s concept of Christianity was more philosophical than what Christian fundamentalists believe today.

Thomas Jefferson would not however approve of public schools teaching Christianity as the inspired word and Religion that we as Americans must follow to be truly American. That is what today’s Christian Fundamentalist would have us believe. Jefferson like most of the Founding Fathers believed Christianity and the gospels can be used as a moral guide but he did not believe in divine revelations. That was one of the reasons Jefferson wrote the Jeffersonian bible he hoped it would be utilized as a moral compass. He also believed that nature and reason hold the key to unraveling the mysteries of our universe.

A holistic Education for Jefferson was not filling the mind with mundane facts but rather opening the mind to new ideas. Education is also the means of developing a virtuous and moral electorate to guide our nation forward.

I do not believe in the Deist view of reality nor do I believe in Christian Fundamentalism. But it is a fact that cannot be denied that many of our Founding Fathers were supportive of religious expression in society separate from Government interference. Most of our Founding Fathers would have also considered themselves deists and they believed it best to live moral lives by example, free from religious influence, bigotry, and bias.

Always with love from Suzhou, China

Thomas F O'Neill 

U.S. voice mail: (800) 272-6464

China Cell: 011-86-13405757231

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/

An exciting time for many of my students who will be studying abroad ......... 🦅

An exciting time for many of my students who will be studying abroad by summer's end – their happiness brings me great pleasure ......... 🦅

Thomas F O'Neill feels the song 'Ebony and Ivory' that he sang in this video is appropriate for these times ......... 🦅

It takes intelligence ......... 🦅

These students have the personalities and the intellect to truly impact the world in profound ways and I am truly going to miss them ......... 🦅

Peaceful protests is the bedrock of our democracy ....... 🦅

If you want to make the world a better place ......... 🦅

Food for the soul ....... 🦅