Right now I feel very much like a minority. And yes, I knew this was going to happen, but hey, it's sort of discouraging nevertheless. University can really drain your faith, I'll tell you that. I mean, having almost everyone telling you that your worldview is wrong...well, it can be a little frustrating.
Not only that, but they also wrongly represent your point of view. I mean, not mentioning it is one thing, but when they mention it and skew it completely wrongly that really bothers me. I mean, if I did that in an essay I'd probably fail it.
Okay, so you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Here's an example: Just today my CSI (Childhood and Social Institutions) prof connected "honour your father and mother" (from the Bible) to beating children and child cruelty in the history of children - way back when when it was a "Puritan" worldview and they believed that children were to be seen and not heard and blah blah blah. Oh, and they tagged John Wesley (who I happen to think was a pretty cool guy - so was his wife) on to that as well. So now, countless people are going away with a wrong impression.
I don't know. I guess I shouldn't complain if I'm not going to do anything about it. Maybe I should say something. Or something. I don't know.
5 comments:
Tough to swallow, yeah. There is a reason that so many Christians ditch their faith during university.
You could see your time in university as your chance to learn how to defend your faith and stand up to something like this in front of a crowd. I'm sure that would kick start some serious personal growth for you. And as frightening as that would be in a large class, it has to be easier than defending your faith in front of a gun, right?
Granted, the professors tend to have heard everything before and the first time you challenge them, they might very well tear you apart with ease. A more wise approach might be to simply speak to the professors after classes. You won't face the embarassment of the entire class mocking you, and you might get a much more useful conversation out of it. Plus, you'll still be standing up for your faith.
Wow, yeah, how did I get on this soapbox? Man, I would have fun doing some of those classes... :)
lol... you're gonna get that everywhere you go. You get it in highschool, univ, and in the work place. People are gonna bash it, and you just gotta deal with it. I think it's important to listen to their point of view, and think it over. Often they do have a good reason for saying what they've said. That doesn't stop them being wrong, but they need to have formed their opinion from somewhere.
I'm lucky... I'm taking classes where God has nothing to do with anything(like music history, theory, dictation...)... but I'm scared that he'll come in english somewhere...
I hear ya on that one, Elyse. Instead of focusing on the negative, lets look at the bright side. I find that when people talk like that, it helps me build an argument. I mean you can't really go through life believing "just because". So try and figure out a way you'd argue your side and you'll find you'll learn a lot.
Jamie: Good points. It's definitely a chance for me to deepen my faith.
Rachel: I know you get it everywhere you go, and I was expecting it from the beginning. (Lol...I'm taking psychology and sociology and stuff...) but I was more just wanting to update everyone where I was at, and get opinions from people. :) I think it's important to listen to other people and their views (I definitely do that) and I think when you respect their view, they're more likely to listen to yours.
Aleah: I know you've been through the same thing. And you're right: it helps you build arguments and helps you rely more on your faith. So in reality, it's probably a good thing. Although it's easier said than done! :)
If you are going to take issue with what your prof is saying, you need to have all the details in hand.
What exactly was your prof talking about? What was the point he was trying to make?
Saying, for example, that "The Bible says so-and-so, therefore it advocates beating children" is a very, very different statement from "The Bible says so-and-so, and many people in history have taken this to mean they should beat their children."
If your prof is saying the former, you'll have grounds to argue. If the latter, the best response you'll get is a polite dismissal.
And if you're unsure of which one the prof is getting at, ask for clarification.
When you want to argue with something a prof is saying, and you aren't feeling 100% secure for whatever reason, just ask a question.
So, instead of saying "The Bible doesn't say you should beat your children!" say, "are you saying that the Biblical author intentionally encouraged violence towards children?"
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