Having a cause...

Do you remember the days of high school, and having a cause? I remember those days. At our 10 year class reunion, one of my classmates remarked that his mom told him once, "If you come home with one more cause..." This was near to an unfortunate incident when he and I ended up in ISS over an inablility to keep our mouths shut. It was, however, a cause that put us there.

In my first post, I mentioned that we attended a series of 4 one-act plays at a local high school recently. The second play, "Stark Drama" is a commentary on our prison system. The author, Michael V. McGee wanted us to think about the amount of time someone on death row spends sitting in jail awaiting their final day. Now, this play is full of your typical stereotypes like the inept guard, the touchy-feely pastor who quotez useless Bible verses, the hysterical mother, crooked politicians, power-hungry lawyers, etc... What caught my eye was the way the student director signed her synopsis. Her name, a small drawn heart, and the quote "I think, therefore I am."

That quote comes from Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, mathematician, scientist, and writer from the late 1500's and early 1600's. I realize that in my first post, I took his statement out of context by finishing it as though it were an incomplete sentence. He simply meant, that because he thought, he existed.

So the student director made her point - her drama provoked thought. Thought about high school kids always having a cause. But what happens when high school ends? Where do the causes go? Do I still have a cause now?

Yes. In high school and college we need those causes to get our critical thinking juices flowing. Then, we need to educate our selves so we can effectivly stand for those causes when the time comes. I was thinking personally about the cause for Christ. Would I take the same stance I did that day in the library and stand for my freedom to declare my beliefs? Would I ever be that bold?

The answer is that I must be. I didn't turn in my cause or my boldness when I thanked someone for my diploma - it meant that I have the means to really discover what I stand for. So, I'm glad we went to the night of one-acts and had the chance to be provoked to thought.

I think, therefore I have the chance to do something about it. Sorry Rene.