religiosity. We simply cannot have a comprehensive, intelligent discussion of pregnancy of girls not ready to be mothers unless we also address the sexually oppressive and repressive influence of slick men in pulpits fighting tooth and nail against the education of the public at large.

Education and enlightenment in any form are the arch-enemy of the pulpit.  Freedom from ignorance translates directly to freedom from organized religion.  It is therefore unsurprising that the men behind the organized religions of America ally themselves so staunchly against Science, Sex Ed, abortion rights, and whatever else may give their flock of sheep a taste of independence from the pulpit.

I would be very shocked if there were not a strong negative corellation between education on the one hand, and teenage pregnancy and religiosity on the other.  In fact, I would eat my hat if a good scientifc study did not unequivically show a causation by education to reduce both of the others directly.

Education is the key to the universe and everything in it, and the freedom to think freely and independently is anathama to religious fervor.

What we need to do is drag parents out of the church pew and shove them in the classroom chair.  Then and only then will America see significant decreases in children having children, STD infection rates, bigotry in all its forms, and a generally well informed voting public.

I am not opposed to mandatory university education for every single American.  I don't care if you're going to be a professional ditch digger, a farmer, an engineer, a doctor, or a car salesman.  Were I dictator of the country instead of the current one, everyone would have a good working knowlege of biology, history, chemistry, physics, literature, sex, relationships, and kitchen utensils and their alternate usage, before they would be allowed to so much as mow their first lawn.

And finally, in my dictatorship, every single penny contributed to church offerings would go to pay for all that education.  We wouldn't even need to raise taxes, given all the tax-free cash that goes into those places for nothing more than self-perpetuation. 

(...and you thought my female counterparts were pushy.  Those two girls are paragons of tact and tolerence.)

Feel free to read whatever's left of my own thoughts at Crowded Head, Cozy Bed
The Boy in JanieBelle's head