Outlook on Life
One of the things that Captain Loomis loved about the mountains was the peace and serenity. He was at home in the quiet solitude of the mountains. Being alone gave him the time to think. He often pondered the problems of society in general and what could be done to solve them. His thoughts ranged from religion to education to banking to war, with his experiences in politics, the courts, with teachers, and with people reflected in his views.
Education
He felt strongly that the education system should be reformed. His main quarrel with education was the overemphasis on selfish gain and individual advancement with disregard to the harm done to others. He believed that the only way to change things in the world for the better was through proper education.
Education, he said, should strive to change these selfish, self-centered attitudes by teaching a new way of thinking, one that stressed individuality, natural talent, and concern for others.
He advocated teaching children self-reliance early in their lives. Then, as they developed, they should be allowed to have their own way in order to bring out their full individuality. They should be taught respect for other peoples’ rights, property, and ideas.
Children should not all be taught alike, which he felt stifles individuality and initiative, and is detrimental to a child’s body and mental health. He said, “When a child is compelled through school to take up branches of study which it dislikes, you really do not accomplish much since it will never be proficient in it.”
Despite his proposed emphasis on early education, he stressed that children should also have plenty of time for unrestricted play.
Judicial System
After many years of work in the criminal justice system, he recognized flaws in the system that often undermined his goal of equal justice for all men. He advocated replacing our system of confusing and self-defeating laws with a simple code like the ten commandments.
He felt that all criminals, rich and poor, should receive the same justice and the same sentences. In his view, all media, including newspapers, books, magazines, and movies, should attempt to eliminate crime rather than glorify it. And finally, he proposed that innocent people falsely convicted should be compensated.
War
Captain Loomis stated unequivocally “War is utterly foolish.” He saw that fights and crime in the West were reduced as laws were passed restricting the use of firearms. He felt that if nations could be taught to treat each other honestly and with respect, and if imperialistic ideas of expansion could be curbed, armies and navies would not be necessary and wars would become impossible.
For those advocating war, he proposed that they be drafted and put on the front lines, and their wealth should also be drafted and used to finance the wars that they advocated.
Religion
His religious philosophy was his own as well. His thoughts often turned to religious questions, and he studied the teachings of Christ. But he did not follow any of the organized religions of the day.
He believed that God lived in everything on the planet, and it is that power that guides everything. He described a powerful inner voice, one that once recognized and acknowledged, would always show him the way.
When once criticized by a mountain neighbor, an ex-minister, for not dedicating his Sundays to religious activities, he replied "I believe that all seven days ought to be lived exactly alike ... my religion knows no difference between Sunday and weekdays."
[Initial Version: 02/01/07]
[Sources: Lester Loomis Journals]