“The test of every religious, political, or educational system is the man that it forms.”

Religion forms men who believe only in their God. Politics forms men who are corrupt and crave more power. Education forms men who think they know better how to control your life, when they can't control their own.

I agree with the sentiment, but the form the man takes is up to the man despite the systems thrust upon him. When a child is told enough lies, he will eventually get sick of it and rebel. The test of every man is how much he will allow religious, political, and educational systems to influence him.

Have you not noticed the very wide variety of character types that develop within a given system that would seem to contradict the quote?

While it is true - as one reader points out - that every system may develop contradictions, the measure of a system is GENERALLY taken to be what GENERALLY arises from it and what is GENERALLY true of it, not what exceptions it might inadvertantly spawn.

It is a test, but not the best test. An outcome based education philosophy lacks substance, perspective and the array that a full education would offer. The ends justifying the means also overlooks and, does not measure the side effects.

Yes, as is evident with the American People but, as David said, there is a percentage that overcome this - I'd say 5%