The question begs to be asked... why DO atheists wear fedoras? LMAO

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

I have one. Call it my Mennonite hat, being from South Central PA. Stylish with the hipsters.

In G-d we Trust I am a plaintiff in a case against the government printing “In God We Trust” on...

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

Busses without a pass. Having to use cash is getting rare. Gun show purchases, I believe, are often cash only - that opens up another huge debate. Anyone see the 13 year old purchase a gun video? He got laughed at trying to buy alcohol and shut down quickly for cigarettes but bought a . 22 long ride for cash a gun show. Sorry, a bit off topic. I doubt the lawsuit goes anywhere, however my best wishes and support of a cause to raise awareness. Like having to say the pledge in HS. My state, PA, passed a law about 10 years ago requiring the pledge or singing the SSB. It never made it, getting thrown out in court. It did come close, with some parents supplying the private school I worked at with flags for all classrooms. Two months before it was to go into effect, I told my class to get their singing voices ready. One of the girls is now having some moderate success as a singer and at the time could easily belt out the SSB.

What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

I would get a real kiln and do some pottery. I did some,8 years ago, and really enjoyed the work and final products. All three of my kids have ornate windchimes I designed and made. Also would want the press and cutting tools, etc. Might as well throw in the glazes and paints while fantasizing.

I've just joined this site in the hopes of making some interesting "interested" friends.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

Welcome. My dad, born 1919, was 2nd generation Irish, so I heard many stories passed to him by his uncles. We even have a cave system named for the family up North. So, all Irish are welcome. My dad was not a religious man; at his funeral my son remarked, "If Pop-Pop had a god, it was FDR."

[politico.com] One for the trump sheep.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

Giuliani stepped out of the pages of 1984. 2 plus 2 equals 5.

[politico.com] One for the trump sheep.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

Giuliani stepped out of the pages of 1984. 2 plus 2 equals 5.

Favorite genre of book and what is your all time favorite and least favorite book/author

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

I, honestly, can't pick a favorite genre. Taught English for 20 years with multiple readings and writings. My favorite author was and always will be Vonnegut because he is responsible for helping open my mind and think since school. I remember a teacher asking me, when he saw me carrying Crime and Punishment, are reading that or just carrying it for a reaction. I said, truthfully, both. Favorite book would be Slaughter House Five. Although, best book could be a multitude of possibilities, like Things Fall Apart by Achbe. Worst author or book? Let's just lump together anything by someone like Danielle Steele. I would like to add this: there are some books that proved outstanding for society and need to be discussed, at least in the historical context, but are not very good reads today, my opinion would include Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Jungle, and most novels by Cooper, due to his Influences on the hatred of Native Americans. Cooper did, however , create the classic adventure tale.

I am very curious to why a Christian man just joined this site?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

I hadn't noted him yet, so I will reserve judgement. He may be curious and possibly reassessing his faith. One can hope. I welcome any one to see what I have to say and accept intelligent criticism. If, said person is here to preach, I don't think he will find a resptive audience.

Today, I took down this nest that a bird had built back in the Spring for it's eggs/chicks.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

From this angle it looks almost like a nest on a nest. Some birds rebuild over their first set of eggs when they realize a Sterling has laid an egg in their nest. Some never notice and raise the starling, which inevitably ride the best of its adopted siblings.

How to cure Nihilism

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

Why?

What kind of reptile species scare you?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

Evangelicals. I apologize, it just popped into my head and I couldn't avoid sharing. A joke, maybe a bad one.

What kind of reptile species scare you?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

I respect reptilian species for their place on the earth. And I recognize a number of them are dangerous to us humans. Some will eat us. So, I would say I have a sensible fear of any that can cause me harm. When hiking out East I have seen copperheads. In the West a few rattlers, even the tracks of a sidewinder. I just didn't bother them. Down in Florida I wouldn't walk a dog near alligators, but they seldom attack humans. In Asia I avoided croc areas because they do attack people. That was a long time ago. Never been around uncaged komodo dragons and I think seeing them in the wild would be frightening. As I said, some eat humans, it is just their nature and they are not evil beings.

So, I finally watched Flash Gordon last night.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 19, 2018:

I didn't appreciate the film when it first came out. Since then I have enjoyed it for its fun and campiness. Great old film.

Bikers for Trump.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 18, 2018:

Yea dumbasses, boycott Harley, made in the US, while wearing your MAGA hats made in China or Vietnam. I live in Gettysburg. A few years ago people were going wacko like they like to do on the confederate flag(actual they don't even know because that flag is the battle flag of Northern Virginia and not the real stars and bars as the original was nicknamed). It was after Wal-Mart stopped selling them. Bike week in Gettysburg. Bikers called a shop I know to see if they had the flags. For now, until they run out. Bikers came in looked at the prices of the American made ones and bought the cheaper foreign made ones. So much for MAGA. Make America Grey, old white men Again. Except that's me! AAAAHHHHHH! Save me. I refuse to be one of the pod people.

Is the concept of “you” continuous or does past “you” continually fade into present and ...

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 18, 2018:

My first thought is the Billy Pilgram character from Slaughter House Five. He has overcome a linerer movement in time and can jump back and forth, like skipping through photographs. People who become an amnesiac (rarer than media would have you believe. People can lose or not recollect certain memories, especially traumatic ones) still have a sense of awareness. Even people afflicted with the inability to have long, or even short, term memory will still have a sense of awareness. So, I don't think memory is needed for having an awareness of self or one's surroundings. Thus, I think one could conclude one could be in a continual flux and changability. Memory could affect that and slow the flux.

Are there any Jack London fans out there?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 18, 2018:

He did some excellent work. It is possible that he stole a number of his Alaskan stories from an old priest. One could argue, as Shakespeare did,he took some good ideas and made them better.

What do you miss from your childhood?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 16, 2018:

Naivety. Not having to fear going on a twenty mile bike trip and sharing a cantaloupe with a friend from a farmer's stand. Simply less people in my youth; most likely the same percentage of dangerous and good, trustible people as today, just not as many to cross paths with.

What do you miss from your childhood?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 16, 2018:

Naivety. Not having to fear going on a twenty mile bike trip and sharing a cantaloupe with a friend from a farmer's stand. Simply less people in my youth; most likely the same percentage of dangerous and good, trustible people as today, just not as many to cross paths with.

Got a laugh out of this. [youtu.be]

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 16, 2018:

Funny. And too true.

Oh Jesus help the guy!!

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 16, 2018:

Funny, but turning serious for a moment, the water to wine trick was easy back in that time. Most wine came in concentrated form and needed to be added and diluted by water. Read the Illyad and Odysseus' blinding of the Cyclops.

Fellow agnostics, how do you feel about believers joining?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 16, 2018:

It depends. I have had intelligent conversations with more liberal believers. Historically, it was the liberal evangelicals who helped pull America put of the Great Depression. I am sure that most of the modrrn ilk would view them as heretics. In the same breath I faced off against a friend of a friend on FB. I don't accept people's judgements that I am going to hell. In this case because I defended the rights of my daughter and other women, and being accused of being a butcher and wanting to chop up his grandchildren. I always send those people to Mark 5, 1 to 7. Not a believer my self but willing to counter with their own arguments. I'm that section Mark warms hypocrites will be more harshly punished. I walked away from the argument when he proved his lack of Christian history by denying the idea of the trinity was voted upon. He said that was false and pointed to, I'll give him this credit, one of the biblical verses used by those who voted for it. So, where do I stand. If a person comes here, not to convert, but learn and question okay. Start preaching and no, need to be left behind (pun intended).

What are people listening to these days?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 16, 2018:

I love music. At least a little something from all genres. I'm from the classic rock generation. Played guitar as a kid in a very bad punk band. And have an affinity for the blues which I share with my oldest son, a good musician, who plays many instruments, but mainly keyboards and harmonica. Currently I would say if asked for suggestions: The Dead South; and Gorrillazs.

This is a major rant about men not reading profiles.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 15, 2018:

I will be honest. I had not seen or heard the term sapiosexual before. I think I am one. I'm not hitting on you, nice rant, I didn't come here to date, however, I found someone I enjoy being with. I like that term. Thanks for introducing it, and as an old English teacher i am pretty well read. Best wishes.

I was initially doubtful about meeting someone online.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 15, 2018:

Good for you. Best wishes. I love this site: filled with thinkers and, quite simply in this day and age, intelligent beings.

President Trump is bringing the country toward dictatorship - even worse with VP Pence toward ...

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 14, 2018:

I just can't believe fellow vets still support this guy. He has been insulting is for years; I have a factual list. He has advocated for changes in the first amendment as he attacks journalists and others, who are protesting. That is the first move of a fascist. Of he wins on that front god, if there was one, help us. The next move would be the 22nd amendment. Then irony of ironies, most fascist to secure control would go after the second. And that would be easier than right wingers think and deny. The NRA works with gun manufacturers - promise them big government and military contracts and gain entry into the largest gun registry in the U.S. I would find that entertaining except once 1 and 22 go, we are absolutely screwed.

I have a master's degree I was born to my parents, in an apartment, in Tacoma, WA.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 14, 2018:

Poverty is our nation's scourge, and the world's, but here the poor get blamed and the rich get rewarded. It is an awful blight continued by those encouraging dissent among the people through religion, race and ethnicity. I grew up on the poorer side. My first five years were in a house with no running water and inadequate heat in the cold. Honestly, I was too young to know and have more fond memories than my siblings as we had a stream and pond to around. Only after my dad's work improved and my mom worked and we got a house and joined the ranks of the lower middle class (which seems to no longer exist) did I see how the world, especially the U.S. worked. It is a terrible system. I ended up with a graduate degree and joined that system, still hating it, and raising at least three good kids who are pragmatic socialists. Until we overcome the class divide and really help the disadvantaged, more and more people will continue to fall through the cracks. Or should I say the gaping holes.

I found this hilarious.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 14, 2018:

Excellent. In grad school I remember some of the other male TA"s complaining about getting a B from a certain female prof. They probably didn't like my response. I said, "I got an A, you guys just don't know how to write feminist poetry from a sympathetic man's angle."

God hates porn?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 14, 2018:

Off god and to bible belters. Statistics illustrate more online porn is sold in the bible belt. If those people are secret liberals, they need to vote, because they aren't. So logically, that means they are........ you know the answer.

Why I'm no longer asked to make cookies for the church bake sale ... ;)

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 14, 2018:

Love it. They look delicious. I would buy one or two.

A pastor told me today that he is sorry that I have not felt the love of god.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 14, 2018:

If there is a God, a superior being, then for me, to personally accept them, they have to be totally uninvolved with humanity. More like the Eastern religions which are more spiritual interconnectedness. If there is an Abrahanic god, then I don't want anything to do with such an asshole. If he has the power, supposedly does, to cure sick kids, war and all else, then he should or he is simply a dick. Thus, I would hope if there is some greater force, it does not have the power to interfere. Maybe as the Buddhists believe the universe was formed (Big bang) and then developed its way and will one day end (The big crush) and then hit the repeat button.

Why are comments posting twice?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

I had a comment post 4 times. I thought it was my internet connection and apologized. So, now, I don't know.

Just ran into a Trumpzee racist.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

I did not mean to post more than once. My internet connection went flaky. Sorry.

Just ran into a Trumpzee racist.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Contact NAPA headquarters and complain and tell them AutoZone and Advanced Auto would invite your business. That guy needs a different job, away from people.

Just ran into a Trumpzee racist.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Contact NAPA headquarters and complain and tell them AutoZone and Advanced Auto would invite your business. That guy needs a different job, away from people.

Just ran into a Trumpzee racist.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Contact NAPA headquarters and complain and tell them AutoZone and Advanced Auto would invite your business. That guy needs a different job, away from people.

Just ran into a Trumpzee racist.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Contact NAPA headquarters and complain and tell them AutoZone and Advanced Auto would invite your business. That guy needs a different job, away from people.

Just ran into a Trumpzee racist.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Contact NAPA headquarters and complain and tell them AutoZone and Advanced Auto would invite your business. That guy needs a different job, away from people.

Just ran into a Trumpzee racist.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Contact NAPA headquarters and complain and tell them AutoZone and Advanced Auto would invite your business. That guy needs a different job, away from people.

Is empathy the root of human morality ?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Empathy can be very important, but science shows that people who are or have psychopathic tendencies can have a strong moral code. Yes, serial killers are usually psychopaths, but psychopaths are not all serial killers. So, something other than empathy can guide a human to being moral. Would that be reasoning? Maybe.

INTRODUCTIONS if you please.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

I am far from a teacher. I have been reading, studying and discussing Eastern philosophy since high school. I was lucky enough in my younger days to visit Thailand and its many temples. My daughter spent a year there at 16, and one of her favorite remembrances was being blessed by a Monk for giving him food. I also visited Japan, loved Kyto Kamakira and its many temples and the giant Buddha. Felt very spiritual on top of Mount Fuji. As I said, I read and study, including Hindu works, as my good friend is a monotheistic Hindu. He can explain it better than I. I find his beliefs quite similar to Buddhist ones of a single energy. I don't know where we go at death, but if somehow something continues on, the Eastern ways seem, to me, more akin to science and the possibility of energy movement.

Will Space Force finally make space great again?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Just the idea of militarizing space is not only stupid, but breaks international laws. Doing so will certainly move the Russians and Chinese, and who knows who else anymore to do the same. Did anyone see Stephen King's Twitter reaction? Serious and funny at the same time.

Further proof that Buddhism is more about mindfulness and taking personal responsibility and not ...

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Good old Marsha. I have taken DBT. Essentially, and she did a good job, she took from BF Skinner and other behaviorists, using their ideas much like an athlete trains for muscle memory and added it to William Glasser and his Reality therapy, which states in its simplistic form, we humans make and are responsible for our every decision. Nice to know she is a Buddhist; I learned something. Off topic a bit, but I was listening to a Monk discussing Buddhism and then answering questions. One person, obvious to see if he would act like a 10000 year old Earther evangelical asked, in one Buddhist tract the age of the universe is set at 5 and some billion years. To which the Monk replied What is Time? I do not dispute that in human time the universe is more than 11 billion years old.

Got stopped in Walmart today again by a local church... Salesman?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 10, 2018:

Being polite is not necessarily being a fraud. I used to go to, and liked, the Unitarian Universalist Society or some use Church, etc. Very welcoming group from agnostics to atheists to liberal believers. So, I usually admit to such people that my family are Unitarians, and most haven't a clue. Jehovah's witnesses are the funniest because they will ask for some explanation, so I say they started as non Trinitarians, to which they suddenly get excited like we are long lost cousins. Too which I reply not quite and move on.

Do you use religious terms sprinkled throughout our language?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 10, 2018:

My dad cussed whenever he worked on a car. As I had kids, i realised I was apt to do the same thing so I created my own curse word to call cantankerous pieces of machines. Ubiquitous Whore. I found saying that at inanimate objects helped keep me from using any reference to god.

[nydailynews.com] Trump Attacks NFL Again

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 10, 2018:

It plays to his base in Ah-Mer-ee-ka, of people breaking the flag code, like 60's hippies, and wearing outfits adorned with flags, because they can be more patriotic by disobeying a code designed to honor the flag. Hypocrisy at its finest.

Thai are usually polite and kind, and I try to be so also.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 10, 2018:

The death of a beloved King and rise of a, at best, tolerated Prince to King with no power, and the military involvement in politics may be playing into the general malaise of some Thais.

Thai are usually polite and kind, and I try to be so also.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 10, 2018:

The death of a beloved King and rise of a, at best, tolerated Prince to King with no power, and the military involvement in politics may be playing into the general malaise of some Thais.

If you have ever had a romantic, uncalculating relationship, a boundless trust and belief in ...

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 10, 2018:

Sounds a little Shakespearian. And although I love his work, his vision of romance was askew by the times he lived and worked. Passion may be all well and good, but it is ethereal. Only a sustainable love based on filial or intellectual grounds will survive time. Self awareness has been shown now in ants, insects, not just higher life forms. So, I don't think it matters how long you live, as long as you have an awareness of life.

Why are men and women put under so much pressure to have kids in this society?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

My oldest is not my biological son which surprises anyone who finds out. We are much alike, but I came into his life at 16 months. The next two, come a few years later and although my now ex wife agreed I got a vasectomy which she later complained about. I love my kids, but three is easier than five. Oh, my ex kept me around a lot longer than may have happened. She decided I shouldn't adopt the oldest so she could collect money and then later used my love for him as a wedge - you will never see him again, just his siblings. I put no pressure on my kids and at this point expect no grandchildren. I am perfectly fine with that. Now that I'm divorced I thought about adopting my 37year old. He says save my money, he knows who his real dad is. I am very proud of my kids; Not only do they love each other, they like one another, even taking vacations together.

I've been spending the day with the kids.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

I'm visiting in two weeks. Get that heat out. Back East it is overly wet, while staying humid and hot.

Ooooh, burn baby burn!

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

LeBron has built a free charter school and raised up many young lives, while helping families and all graduates get free tuition to Akron University. How does O'Riley stack up? And, on top of all that, he has remained faithful to his wife, his high school sweetheart.

I believe in fluid truth.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

I would change the wording to fluid understanding. Many Greeks in BC estimated the size of a round earth and their books misplaced or lost or hidden. And people like Copernicus were understood at the highest levels of the Church to be correct, but the Church had to prepare for a fundamental change in philosophy. A lot of people don't know, but the Catholic church operates one of the largest telescopes in the world, in South America. It does mostly science research, but at its core the believers want to find the end of the universe and possibly proof of god.

Cremation after my Body is being donated to Science.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

Some states like PA run a body donation that guarantees its use in medical schools, unlike some programs that will chop you up for sale to many different groups doing research.

"Morons, unite! Almost Half Of Republicans Want To Give Trump The Power To Shut Down The Media ...

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

No surprise. Half the republicans supported a coup under Obama. The rule of law only applies to their hypocritical views, which is why the evangelical right is so in tune with them. Only republicans are allowed to have moral failings.

Space, Time, and Matter.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

Time is only relevant to some observers and not necessarily a real dimension. And what to do about gravity, which may tie multiple universes together?

The Grapes of Wrath in a Hot Tub Uncle John Joad coalesced in strict terms of history and ...

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

I like it. I did start singing at I made it out to needles, adding not Oklahoma or Arizona, what does it matter.?

This is important.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

It just gets worse. Sessions has announced a group aimed at looking into prejudice against the religious or ie the christians.

The Baptists have lost their minds: Elevation Church Debuts Water Slide Baptismal.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

Although as a kid I went to a Methodist church, with my siblings and no parents. And by school was a full agnostic, yet interested in Eastern philosophy, I had seen up close the Baptist, as my brother married one. As a teen I even went to a tent revival - just like the movies only Hoyer and more miserable. Anyway, back to Babtists: I asked my mother in adulthood why she hadn't taken us to the Southern Baptist as she had been raised. Her answer, " I didn't want to inflict that upon you." Inflict is the perfect word for so many churches and religions.

Worst experience with religion . . .

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 9, 2018:

Getting out if the hospital after a long stay; having missed my nephew's funeral and going to visit my sister. My one brother-in-law, an evangelical minister, told her he would be going to hell because the young ill man took his own life. My sister, another sect of Christian was devastated. I don't know if I ever really did get through to her, even researching the bible to contradict what historically become dogma and doctrine in the 600's mostly because too many priest were dying to escape that era and get to the promised land. I won't argue with evangelical people any more. Last time I simply said the Trinity came about on a vote. Historical evidence backs. The comeback, refusing to acknowledge history and simply pointing to scripture, which I admit was the same biblical words used by the voters in favor. In fact the Trinity is not mentioned in writings until the 3rd century. These people think their just appeared. Tell them to read the writing on Gilgamesh and they look at you like a devil incarnate explaining an older, pagan includes many of their tales

Does anyone have suggestions, as to what to give my mom for her birthday ?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 8, 2018:

Best Mom Ever mug? Moms like everything. Except my mom hated gift certificates, because the person didn't personally pick something. She would have preferred a dollar mug over a 50 dollar certificate.

Which do you prefer? Dogs or Cats? I've been seeing a lot of cat posts but nothing for dogs.

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 8, 2018:

I like most animals. I have had, and known some great dogs. Very loyal and loving and won't eat you if you die in the house and they aren't fed, like cats will. However, i prefer cats because they, too, can be loving and loyal, while being capable of taking care of themselves. No late nights walking outdoors in bad weather. And, you know, if they choose to eat me, at least they will survive.

What’s the origin of your Agnostic.com name?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 8, 2018:

Beowulfsfriend is from the epic story of Beowulf of the Geats, early Danes, and his adventures. He has no friends, thus I am Nobody, the name used by Odysseus in the Odyssey.

Does religion equal goodness

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 8, 2018:

No. Simply put religion cannot guarantee goodness, especially when it prides itself on dogma and in reality proves to be mostly subjective. Can religion supply some goodness - yes. Morality is and will remain subjective. Think of any rule that is considered moral, and I guarantee you can find an exception. Surely murder? What about self defense or the protection of others and there are no alternatives. Cannibalism has to be? Shipwreck surviver, others die. Adultery, no way for the so called prim and proper people? End of humanity and only a few people can breed. I'm sure there are better examples, but it comes out the same. No.

Would you rather date someone with opposing political views or opposing religious views?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 7, 2018:

I think some religious entities and people are polarizing politics and interweaving them to such an extent that the question becomes almost moot. As some say, I would rather date a liberal Christian than a conservative. Historically, and evangelicals hate to hear this, or read any history of truth: it was liberal evangelicals in the 30's that helped the US come out of the Great Depression. People don't like to think in shades of grey. Marx was correct in so many ways when he said religion is the opiate for the people. Agreeing with that doesn't make you a Marxist when you realize his government system almost always ends in dictatorship. So, I haven't really given an answer for myself. Shades of grey, so, it depends on the individual, but I would lean toward forgiving religious beliefs before dangerous and damning political views.

Should religion be taught in schools?

Beowulfsfriend comments on Aug 7, 2018:

Not in the public domain, unless it is a comparative studies and includes the rejection of main stream religion and doesn't brush over near a billion believes in some form of Nativism. I taught at a Catholic school for a few years. There was a religious teacher there with whom I had a fond friendship. I liked that he taught a class on ethics using at least one text from a Holocaust survivor. There are times, especially in teaching literature that one needs explain certain works by their religious symbolism. At that point, you are a commentary, not a preacher. Although, when teaching an African author like Achebe, it is okay to point out and annotate his attacks on religion, Christian and Islamic, who did harm in their efforts to colonize and change whole societies.