I am taking an ethics class and religions of the world class this semester and I'm very interested in what will be taught. Reading my ethics textbook, it seems like it will be helpful in combating some of the hurtful religious notions. However, I'm a little nervous about the religions of the world class. It is taught by a Lutheran minister and it seems as though all my classmates are Christian. Even so, I'm looking forward to learning about all religions so I have a better understanding of the world. Any suggestions on making the most out of this experience?
UPDATE The religions class is so biased I want to laugh and cry. But there is another atheist in the class. We haven't talked, but she's open about her atheism.
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31 comments (26 - 31)
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Listen, but don't participate.
If you give off a hint that you are objective and or don't "believe without question" you may be shunned. Also don't make comparisons between the religion being taught and similar or sister religions. That will seriously throw up red flags.
Absorb, objectively and don't drink the coolaid.
RobertFoley
Level 6
Aug 18, 2019
0
What’s there to be scared of?
indirect76
Level 7
Aug 16, 2019
0
I'm not scared. I'm just a little nervous that this will make classmates more likely to try to convert me. That gets exhausting.
Don't ask questions in class unless you hear another Atheist student asking obvious Atheists questions....take notes. Follow the syllabus do the readings and get an A. If the teacher tries to push Martin Luther lies onto you....just say you are too busy with other classes to take on Lutheranism. ...World religions are repulsive genocidal misogynistic just like xians in USA....counting Hindu gawds can be time consuming....Jains, Shinto, animist, Hindi, Buddhist, Scientology, Bahai, Mohammedans et al are not going to comfort you....make a chart and time line...compare calendars if you can and note Confucius or Taoist proverbs of culture/history....have fun
GreenAtheist
Level 8
Aug 16, 2019
0
I am wondering if there will be another atheist in the class. So far, only Christians have been public. Maybe an atheist is just staying quiet like I am for now.
@PiperMckenna don't be the first all alone...you don't need xians following you threatening you with hell or bribing you with heaven fixing you up with some xian boy to slobber all over you
@PiperMckenna be proud of Atheism and Atheists while resisting fake names CHRISTOS means OF THE CROSS....there was no temporary crucifixion in Palestine 1990 years ago on a fake back dated calendar invented 13 centuries ago....xmas and xians is obvious abbreviations for polysyllabic gibberish undeserving of capitalization...we are the proper Noun Atheists xians are the fictional adjectives
I had a couple of theist professors who were open about their belief (but not belligerent). But that is what college is for. To interact with people with different ideas and perspectives.
It's ok to have your toes stepped on once in a while. It's ok to gently step on others' toes once in a while also. Just don't stomp. (And I really doubt anyone will stomp on yours, either.)
I also had a college professor who was openly atheist, and discussed this often (always in relation to the course materials). He kept all the Christian students on their toes, and I met some of his former students later in life who just HATED him. I thought he was great. (He actually kept EVERYONE on their toes at all times.)
I had a Calvinist professor also--who was, ironically, instrumental in causing me to switch to the label "atheist". (Also ironically, the atheist professor had no such effect on me. I just found the ideas interesting and insightful. It never occurred to me to change any particular personal view I had from listening to him.)
greyeyed123
Level 7
Aug 16, 2019
0
True. I guess it is important to know how to handle yourself around people of all beliefs,and learn how to interact without purposefully offending them and without compromising your own principles.
My family was/is Calvinist. Even when I was a Christian I separated myself from the Calvinist beliefs after a while. They didn't settle well. But my family is wonderful despite of their beliefs. I can see them slowly getting away from Calvinism and that kinda makes me happy because they're becoming so much less judgmental!
@PiperMckenna Just be yourself, while also being polite. If someone happened to try to put me in a corner by asking, "Don't you believe Jesus is our savior, etc?", I would just say no.
I'm actually kind of jealous that you could have a discussion in person with those with different beliefs. A class like that with a relevant discussion time would make it a perfect time to discuss such things. I can't remember ever having such a discussion in person since college.
I took a Comparative World Religions course and loved it immensely. While I thought most of the material was utter nonsense, the philosophies behind the religious made me realize a lot about various world cultures. The amount of influence that religion has on a culture is almost mind-blowing, but it does a lot to inform why people act they way they do in their cultures (as defined by Hofstede). I wouldn't worry too much about the instructor's bias, you are aware it can exist and can prepare for it
Regarding the questions, just make sure they are rooted in the facts of the textbook/readings you do for the class. Even bring in "The book says X, but this paper says Y, can we discuss the differences" or something similar to that pattern. Expect some questions back about your views, but that is par for academia, I do it to my students all the time to make sure they really did read it and are not just trying to take the class on a tangent.
PadraicM
Level 7
Aug 16, 2019
0
I am excited for this class. I've always loved learning about different cultures, and I really want to get the most from this chance to study what causes so many of these cultures to be the way they are. I'm not too worried about bias on the instructor's part. It's more...fellow classmates get zealous. haha
I don't really ask questions to make a point but I hate having a question and feeling like I can't ask it because people somehow think I'm more argumentative because I'm an atheist. I ran into that problem in a different class and I'm a little worried it might be amplified in this class. But maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.
If it is Religions of the World class be prepared for some amazing insights about people, what they do and why they do it. If it is not a degree class you will hopefully get an overview of many over arching ideas. Wouldn’t worry too much about the Lutheran slant. Follow up on the references you get from ideas to authors etc. even if it is Wikipedia. It will give you an overview to follow up.
This is a doorway to the most fascinating and living philosophies. I hope you enjoy it.
Geoffrey51
Level 8
Aug 16, 2019
0
I'm very excited about the cultural aspect of this class. Since religion is such an important part of so many people's lives, it is definitely going to be interesting and useful to study. I'm more concerned about personal interacts with classmates afterwards.
@PiperMckenna I have a BA in religious studies and the interactions are the greatest fun. I was told in one seminar that I was going to Hell because I had taken communion and not been confirmed!
I am sure you’ll love !
@PiperMckenna if you want any help or just a chat about your course feel free to message me if you wish
@Geoffrey51 Oh yes, I love being told I'm going to hell. The thing that hurts the worst is people saying I am incapable of loving others or just love in general. Or that everything good I've done is actually with evil intent. I'm getting used to it. Just shake it off, I guess. Thank you so much! I might take you up on that if this course is troublesome.
@PiperMckenna I understand that but the attitude is people. They would have the same personal angst if they were affiliated to a political party or a sports club or even atheists!
Try not to let people get in the way of the ideas that are presented. There will always be insensitive idiots in every walk of life. These just happen to have religion as their handle.
@Geoffrey51 That is true. There's so much to be learned in every situation that can be missed if I look only at people's reactions/words. I guess I should dig deep and focus on learning.
@PiperMckenna That would be a marvellous choice!
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