Help with "Diversity" class!

[Langdell]

… I have 2 questions on this:

1. What should I say when people tell me that unless you have studied every religion, how do you know whether you’re in the right (or “fullest”) one?
2. What should my “role” be in that class? I disagree with about everything he said about religion, but am still a student.

Alex – Regarding your second question – I would just say be careful. The chances that you will change the prof’s mind about anything are microscopic, but the risk to your GPA and your future is pretty significant if you oppose him too strongly.

God bless!

 

[Boatswain2PA]

I have 2 questions on this:

1. What should I say when people tell me that unless you have studied every religion, how do you know whether you’re in the right (or “fullest”) one?
2. What should my “role” be in that class? I disagree with about everything he said about religion, but am still a student.

1. Answer with 'I don’t know, and that is why I’m in class to learn."
2. Learn to compartmentalize. Hold on to your strong Catholic morals and beliefs, and live them in your personal life. But have another “compartment”, or “peice of you” that you operate within while you are in this class. Within that “compartment”, just learn his point of view. You don’t have to agree with it, just put it in a “box” or “compartment” in your head labeled “THIS IS MY PROFESSOR’S POINT OF VIEW”…on which you will be tested.

My suggestion is to keep quiet in class. Academia is the single most liberal institution in the nation, and most professors are about as open minded as Hugo Chavez when it comes to dissenting subjects…errr…students.

Best of luck

 

[St_Francis]

Except that you are forgetting that those that do not hear the message of Christ through no fault of their own most certainly can receive Salvation.

Which is why I wrote: God, however, is not bound by the sacraments and so God would be able to accept into Heaven **those who were ignorant of the Gospel through no fault of their own, **but who fully cooperated with the grace they were given.

To say Vatican II was not a doctrinal council?? I think there have been more than enough threads on this as well as apologetists statements that support what I am saying I will not derail this thread by arguing this further.

Well, I just go along with what the popes said at the time. Weird, but there you have it.

                              “The salient point of this council is not, therefore, a discussion of one article or another of the fundamental doctrine of the Church.... For this a council was not necessary.... The substance of the ancient doctrine of the Deposit of Faith is one thing, and the way in which it is presented is another. And it is the latter that must be taken into great consideration with patience if necessary, everything being measured in the forms and proportions of a magisterium which is predominantly pastoral in character.” Pope John XXIII, Opening Address, October 11, 1962

“In view of the conciliar practice and the pastoral purpose of the present Council, this sacred Synod defines matters of faith or morals as binding on the Church only when the Synod itself openly declares so.” The Theological Commission of the Council made declared, as read by the Council’s General Secretary to the Council’s participants on November 16,

“…But one thing must be noted here, namely, that the teaching authority of the Church, even though not wishing to issue extraordinary dogmatic pronouncements,… has spoken with the accommodating friendly voice of pastoral charity…” Pope Paul VI’s Address to the Second Vatican Council, December 7, 1965

“…[A]bove all [the Council] sought to meet the pastoral needs…” Given in Rome at St. Peter’s, under the ring of the fisherman, Dec. 8, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the year 1965, the third year of our pontificate.” Pope Paul VI, upon signing of the documents

“…Differing from other Councils, this one was not directly dogmatic, but disciplinary and pastoral.” Pope Paul VI, General Audience, August 6, 1975

 

[hazmat]

I had my first day of classes today, and one of the classes I’m taking is a “Diversity” class. The professor started talking about religion, and said that religion is based on geography. If we were born in another place, we’d be a good Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, etc. He then asked if anybody had studied every faith, and come to the conclusion that their religion was the correct one. Of course nobody (including me) raised their hands. While I maintain that nobody is saved outside of the Catholic Church, and all the traditional, dogmatic Catholic views on other religions, I admit I have not studied every religion on the planet to see if it’s “correct”.

I have 2 questions on this:

1. What should I say when people tell me that unless you have studied every religion, how do you know whether you’re in the right (or “fullest”) one?
2. What should my “role” be in that class? I disagree with about everything he said about religion, but am still a student.

number 1 is just a question, so just provide your answer. be honest. your role as student is to learn, but that doesnt mean you should “learn” to have the same views as your professor.

 

[Castello]

You are wasting either

Your money

Your parent’s money

MY tax money

as well as your time in this stupid class.

Drop it. Take a class that will give you something useful

Sign Language
Pottery
Gardening
Tennis
etc.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Aball1035,

I missed your answer to question as to why you are taking this course (and spending good money in the process… to listen to this prof dish out political correctness?

If this is a requirement then you have not only few options (too late to drop the course and get your $$$ back!) and you will need the grade that will not seriously damage your g.p.a. Here is something that may be helpful and it was the closest experience I had to yours.

A long time ago when I was in college we had this course in Humanities. That sounded good and since it was a requirement, I figured I would be a more cultured guy afterwards… Well, we started out with the ancient Greeks and their gods - and the prof wanted us to know not only the big name gods but what they did, what they were basically responsible for and how they interacted with humans (usually sexually… ) Now, this is all paganism - and, we were expected to know it - just not believe it. The course ended … I got an “A”… I entered in as a Catholic, graduated a Catholic - and 43 years later I am still a Catholic…

One of the biggest issues with this so-called diversity non-sense is that it provides little in the way for others to accommodate to your beliefs. There is a brand new decision from the 6th Circuit that reverses a summary judgment for Eastern Michigan University dealing with diversity and involving a graduate student. Here is an interesting link: lawprofessors.typepad.com/conlaw/ This case really deserves your attention in showing how diversity is really a two way street - and not the ‘touchy-feely’ nonsense it has come to represent. Check it out. Ah, but just remember - this guy does hold your final grade - so be prudent in how you present your point of view.

Finally, the real issue, in my opinion, with genuine diversity,is that we are all God’s children. It is this relationship with God that calls out for us to treat each other with dignity and respect. It does not, however, condone sin. This is the very basis for loving the sinner but hating the sin.

Hope this helps.

God bless

I had my first day of classes today, and one of the classes I’m taking is a “Diversity” class. The professor started talking about religion, and said that religion is based on geography. If we were born in another place, we’d be a good Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, etc. He then asked if anybody had studied every faith, and come to the conclusion that their religion was the correct one. Of course nobody (including me) raised their hands. While I maintain that nobody is saved outside of the Catholic Church, and all the traditional, dogmatic Catholic views on other religions, I admit I have not studied every religion on the planet to see if it’s “correct”.

I have 2 questions on this:

1. What should I say when people tell me that unless you have studied every religion, how do you know whether you’re in the right (or “fullest”) one?
2. What should my “role” be in that class? I disagree with about everything he said about religion, but am still a student.

 

[Bobby_Jim]

Even though you are a student, this should never prevent you from disagreeing with your professor. Obviously in any academic environment you need to be respectful of the professors’ position, but not quiet when you disagree.

Experience has taught me that an educator appreciates being challenged and questioned. Any good academic will relish an opportunity to open good discourse on any topic. Being that you are in an academic environment, depending on your professor, i would suggest questioning rather than attacking their position. This will allow for better understanding and appreciation for both of your points of view.

Just be careful how you do it, that you show some respect for the professor and for the class. Although most professors would probably welcome an interesting and thoughtful discussion, most of them have also run across the occasional “know-it-all” kid who tries to show off by arguing this-or-that minute point with the professor, while the rest of the class tunes out. Make sure you come across as reasonable, not didactic, and try to bring it up at an appropriate time when it seems like it fits into whatever the class is discussing. Also most of these academic types are pretty smart and well-read; you’re probably not going to say anything they’ve never heard at least once or twice before. This is, after all, their profession. In other words, don’t think you’re going to take them by surprise with your well-reasoned argument and leave them speechless. They’ll probably have an answer ready to go for you, and you’ll be the one that goes home scratching your head.

 

[damian_clarke]

I had my first day of classes today, and one of the classes I’m taking is a “Diversity” class. The professor started talking about religion, and said that religion is based on geography. If we were born in another place, we’d be a good Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, etc. He then asked if anybody had studied every faith, and come to the conclusion that their religion was the correct one. Of course nobody (including me) raised their hands. While I maintain that nobody is saved outside of the Catholic Church, and all the traditional, dogmatic Catholic views on other religions, I admit I have not studied every religion on the planet to see if it’s “correct”.

I have 2 questions on this:

1. What should I say when people tell me that unless you have studied every religion, how do you know whether you’re in the right (or “fullest”) one?
2. What should my “role” be in that class? I disagree with about everything he said about religion, but am still a student.

That Professor has his head in the worng place. he has probably never eft California. When you go to a place like Africa and see how God’s word has struck a cord in teh hearts of men and women who are from a different culture and different world view of middle class America then he woudl realize that the truth is that the Catholic Church speaks to the heart of all humanity. There is neither Jew nor gentile , man or woman freeman or slave but we are all one in Christ Jesus.