The Earth is not flat

Perhaps, because of my age and point of view, I’m not in touch with my audience on one matter, so I’d like to make sure that a very fundamental concept be reviewed. That concept is that we, as a continuing civilization, have had situations where the larger population is assuming, and even defending, a worldview that is later shown to be factually incorrect. And that larger population point of view, on that subject, then will have a tidal change. Oft cited examples are: the mythologies of the Greeks and Romans, beliefs that the world is flat or that the Earth is the center of the universe, that slavery is acceptable, that segregation is acceptable.

Eventually fact, in your face fact, inescapable fact, is what turns that tide. And this turning tide, particularly in regard to broad social change, is almost always associated with natural resistance to change. The moving tide is a zone that is tumultuous - vested interests may be at risk; comfortable patterns may be detoured; deep-seated feelings may be tapped. Hopefully there are now real signals supporting what had only been enlightened intuitive certitude. Signals reflected in science and society that full gay civil rights are not a threat to any American institution, that homosexuals are not inherently immoral, that clear indications from gay marriage in Europe, Canada, Massachusetts show no negative consequences, that being gay is far more similar to being left handed, blue eyed, or dark skinned.

And, again fundamentally, as Americans, we have to eventually bow to our shared belief that We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.