>It is interesting that similar ideas tend to pop up around the same time. I've heard 'enlightenment ideas' pop up in music and conversation going back to my t

>It is interesting that similar ideas tend to pop up around the same time. I've heard 'enlightenment ideas' pop up in music and conversation going back to my teens. I would personally bet that similar ideas (such as 'all men are created equal,' as is highlighted in the article) had been proposed countless times in the minds of people long before any enlightenment, or even Christian, thinker. The problem is the willingness of people to tolerate such ideas. The fact that even though in 2018, with the benefit of hindsight, we can see great civilization and prosperity has been made possible by these ideas, people don't always want to believe them--and in America one does not need to look for very long at our legal system, government & politics, and social behaviors to see this. Maybe we need another enlightenment, and one more inclusive of the liberties and freedoms of all people.