Teach and Vindicate

The New York Times today published an editorial titled "Matthew's Vindication." The piece focused on the Matthew LaClair, a high school student who challenged a teacher's right to proclaim--in class that evolution is a false theory and that only Christians will be admitted to heaven.

At first, the school board backed the teacher and criticized the youth as did many of Matthew's classmates.

But the story ends happily for the young man and for those of us who value the separation of church and state. When threatened with a suit, the school board voted 6 to 1 against permitting teachers proselytizing their religion in class. Unfortunately, the editorial writer did not explain the rationale of the sole board member who voted the other way.

My concern here, however, is with "vindication." While the word today means "clearing from criticism, blame, or guilt," it traces to the Latin "vindicare," which has the darker meaning of "avenge" or "punish," as in "vindictive." Implicit is the idea of anger and even hatred. The Latin term itself goes back to an ancient root--"deik," with the meaning of "saying something sollemnly."

The problem is: Matthew wasn't being hateful in rejecting religious instruction in a public school class. Rather, he was providing a positive--if powerful--lesson in democracy. Perhaps the Times headline writer would have come closer to the truth had he titled the story "Matthew the Teacher." Ironically, "teacher" traces back to the same ancient root--"deik"--that gave us "vindication."