It puzzles me very much—extremely much, in fact—why some right-wing activists and members of society are so afraid of the subject called “Health Education”? I know that for some time now there has been a narrative that it is an attack on morality and the activities of the LGBT movement lobby.
In my opinion, this narrative is an attack, but on people’s common sense: people who are busy, hard-working and eager to maintain a certain standard of living.
For some time now, there has been an attack on the emotions of Poles. Public opinion is being bombarded with information designed to cause anxiety, because fear is the best way to manage people. Social media are saturated with disinformation in various areas of life. There is little real information on “social media”.
Why do we reject hundreds of years of scientific achievements?
Professionally, I dealt with analysing information and ways of verifying it. This, however, requires more detailed knowledge, mainly specialised knowledge. I do not expect it, nor do I condemn society for placing blind trust in its “elected representatives”, the clergy or officials. What alarms me, however, is the rejection of achievements made over hundreds of years of science.
It is thanks to science that we enjoy good health, which in turn has extended our lives. Religion, or religions, is of course also present in our lives. People have always prayed, and continue to pray, for health and long life free from disease and epidemics. We know from history that people were plagued by epidemics and mass killings, and that in the most difficult moments they turned to divine protection. Did this bring results? I do not think so.
Only the Church believes in healing through prayer
Only the Church recognises certain cases as the result of prayer and faith. I am too insignificant to accept or challenge this. I will, however, state with complete certainty that society’s current state of health, mainly in the developed parts of the world, is owed solely to science, including medical and health education. It is thanks to medical education that we began creating facilities with sterile conditions, which in turn made it possible to avoid fatal infections. Thanks to making society aware that most diseases are caused by dirty hands and that vaccinations provide immunity and save lives, the number of deaths has fallen. It was medical science that reduced the mortality of mothers and newborn children.
Sexual dangers lie in wait for children and young people—and not only them. Only scientific, professional knowledge can protect them from dangers and their consequences, by enabling them to recognise them.
What terrifies religious fundamentalists?
The resistance encountered by the benefit of the health-education curriculum offered to public schools and others is, to me, at the very least strange. It is probably related to propaganda resulting partly from the reduction in the number of religious-education classes and the position of the Church hierarchy.
I know that this may frighten conservative circles. Not so long ago, people who washed too often were mocked and told that frequent washing shortens one’s life.
After all, one can learn how to avoid health risks and how addiction works, while also praying for health.
Let neither exclude the other.
It is like fastening your seat belt in a car. If you do not fasten it and have an accident, the insurer may refuse to pay you compensation, and you will have to deal with the complications yourself.
Has anyone lost their health because of not attending religious-education classes?
I do not recall anyone losing their health because of not attending religious-education classes, but people have certainly suffered because of a lack of knowledge about dangers to their bodies or mental health.
Let us not return to the Middle Ages or restore the mentality of a feudal peasant. Progress came from the West, and we should stick with it. I suggest we stick to science, while rational contact with religions should not remain in opposition to science either.
I wish you much good health and a sincere friendship with your own brain.