In nature, the health of an ecosystem and its diversity generally go hand in hand. Greater diversity tends to ensure greater health and resilience. Decreased diversity can make an ecosystem vulnerable to collapse.

The same paradigm would seem to apply to democratic nations. A greater diversity of ideas and beliefs (and an openness to such) presumably ensures a healthier and more resilient democracy. Less diversity (or less tolerance) threatens the functioning of the state.

In short, diversity is a significant asset. Not surprisingly, though, there are some who would disagree with this contention and, in particular, seem considerably threatened by different ideas, beliefs, practices, etc. There are some who appear intolerant of anything that does not conform to their rigid worldview and vehemently oppose such. While these individuals are entitled to don blinders if they so wish, they ought not be entitled to force others to be similarly garbed. It is to the detriment of us all if we permit such.

From the Associated Press (via the Boston Globe):

Judge mulls suit over gay classroom talk

BOSTON –Officials from a suburban Massachusetts school district asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two couples who claim their parental rights were violated when homosexuality was discussed in their children’s classrooms.

U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf did not immediately issue a decision in the case from Lexington, but peppered lawyers on both sides with questions and said he understood the importance of the case to both parents and school administrators.

Tonia and David Parker sued after their 5-year-old son brought home a book from kindergarten that depicted a gay family. David Parker was later arrested for refusing to leave his son’s school after officials would not agree to notify him when homosexuality was discussed in his son’s class.

Another Lexington couple, Joseph and Robin Wirthlin, joined the Parkers in the suit after a second-grade teacher read “King and King” to her class. The fairy tale tells the story of two princes falling in love.

Both couples claim Lexington school officials violated their parental rights to teach their own morals to their children.

The case has attracted a great deal of attention in Massachusetts, the only U.S. state that allows same-sex marriage.

John Davis, an attorney for Lexington school officials, argued in court Wednesday that teaching diversity is a “legitimate state interest.” He said that it would be “an administrative nightmare” for schools in Massachusetts to try to predict when the topic of gay marriage will come up and to inform parents ahead of time.

“The parents do have rights … but they don’t have the right to dictate to the public school system what their children can be exposed to in the way of ideas,” Davis said. [full text]

Indeed, if parents or any others were to be allowed such sweeping dictates, then schools would soon have to abandon educating students about evolution, global climate change, geologic time, human sexuality, non-Christian beliefs and practices, the Holocaust, alternatives to war, or anything remotely controversial. Instead of being served a rich meal of instruction, students would be fed pablum. And our schools would continue their slide from diverse to da worse.