To the Editor:
Christopher Longo’s letter “Hit the brakes and return to what is proven to build flourishing societies” [The Altamont Enterprise, June 30, 2023] is excellent and thought-provoking. His position differs from my own in some key respects, however.

Our first point of divergence stems from the title of this interesting letter. The problem when society “hits the brakes” is that they slow down, or in some cases, even stop. The German philosopher and sociologist Max Weber put forth his theory of the disenchantment of the world that still resonates today.

With ever-growing modernization and societal rationalization, Weber asserts, the modern world has come into “tension” with the religious worldview. The former offers scientific materialism and the will for general accuracy, the latter offers a vague sense of purpose and meaning.

If we are to accept the processes of societal rationalization that allow for the free world a capitalist society affords us (whether this freedom takes the form of unrestrained individual choice, or the ability to have McDonald’s delivered to your door at 2 a.m.), then we must ask whether busying ourselves with notions of the Creator reverse all of the progress we have made.

Would Longo prefer to not live in the modern world? Or is there a potential cooperation between modernity and religion that he simply did not specify?

But let me turn to the relation between proper child-rearing and morality because there are children of mine that I would like to have some day. Longo assumes and invokes one of several forms of monotheism (i.e., Christianity) without regard for other worldviews (e.g., paganism, secularism, satanism, etc.). In a world where Islam will be the most popular religion in several decades, it would seem that this form of monotheism deserves attention concerning how we raise our children.

Another curious omission from Longo’s argument is Buddhism, which when in unorthodox form, is a version of secularism according to the French philosopher Emile Durkheim in his work “The Elementary Forms of Religious Life.” The inclusion of this religion would also significantly alter Longo’s argument.

Does Longo believe that Buddhists do not exist? Probably. I speak “tongue-in-cheek” to assure readers that this disagreement, although serious and honest, is also expressed with light humor and sympathetic understanding. Perhaps after this discussion, Longo and I will even sit down and politely argue about the concept of the infinite at Denny’s, McDonald’s, or any restaurant of his choosing.

There are important points of agreement that I must address as well. Longo asks, “If we teach our children only prescriptive step-by-step instructions, can we expect them to be any more than robots?” This is a crucial societal question.

I was once given step-by-step instructions in my youth (not to mention times when I’m putting together a newly bought appliance!), and I must admit that I began to feel like a robot in some respects. For personal reasons, I refuse to elaborate.

Longo also rightfully expresses worry about handcuffing our children. Though, with the proper moral instruction, our children will find a way to free themselves of the handcuffs we keep putting them in.

Relatedly, I should note that I have a great deal of respect for all of the wisdom imparted by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. I will leave you with his words from his unsurpassed “The Book of Discipline”: “We must guide our children, but also allow them to lead us.” Following these words will bring both intellectual and moral progress, or my name isn’t Robin Otto Rice.

Robin Otto Rice

Albany