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Catholic Class

Still finishing the last leg of secondary education, and I'm stuck at a Catholic school, uniform and everything. I have religion class everyday and have become rather unpopular. Not matter the reason and logic I try to use in spurring honest, thought provoking discussions I'm met with hostility, even from my friends. Is it worth it to continue trying to start discussions and encourage critical thought in my classmates, or just keep quiet and not waste the energy? I've only got till June left of this BS anyway. Opinions?

Catnublia 6 Apr 24
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29 comments (26 - 29)

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0

You're right, you know you are, but they won't listen.
They're not going to change.

Don't lose hope, but don't let the battles drain you.

In a few months you'll be free, and it won't matter.

0

Pick your battles. Nothing wrong with kicking against the pricks if they stray into some of the fairly rampantly misogynistic/homophobic territory that dwells within the RC faith, but otherwise keep shtum and bide your time.

0

In your shoes, I would not have been able to keep quiet. I see you're getting that advise quite often. Hey, you've got a little over a month to go. Squelch if you can, but otherwise let 'er rip. At least you tried. Maybe the seeds of doubt you've sown will sprout someday.

0

Well, if their haven't been any issues between you and school administration (don't want to have nothing to show for your education), then I'd say you should press the issue in your religion class. I'm betting that your friends and classmates are quite familiar with critical thinking in other areas, but they have been convinced that faith is just as valuable.

I read a great book on this called "A Manual for Creating Atheists," which really digs into how faith should be the target of those debating theism. In the book Peter Boghossian defines faith as "pretending to know something you don't," which helped me place words to my problem with religion.

In school I was taught the importance of critical thinking, and I became an atheist because I realized how I could not value both faith and critical thinking at the same time. They may show hostility to you now, but your fellow students are possibly at the best stage of their lives to begin realizing how flawed their faith is.

Do not get bogged down by debates on morality or the improbability of god or religious events. Every one of their arguments, when teased long enough, will come back to faith, and that is where their whole world-view can be taken apart.

However it goes I wish you well, I understand how weaselly Catholic apologetics can be.

I'll see about adding it to my library, but I've got a pile of books I need to finish first ? but I keep buying new books so it just gets bigger

@Catnublia I'm really enjoying Audible as resource for getting through books quickly, and the author of the book I suggested did a great job narrating for Audible's copy of his audiobook. It's worth checking out if you find your ears free during the day.

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