Our Tolerant Society

[Crusading_Canuk]

Greetings my Catholic and Orthodox brethren who mght happen to be reading this. At my school in the IB program (which I am planning on doing next year) we actually learn about the Holy Bible, they might even bring in a priest from what I hear (hopefully Catholic). When I heard this I was on Cloud Nine and could almost hear choirs of angles singing Hallelujah in my mind. Now heres the onion, the Bible is in CLASSICAL FICTION. In the actual religion course, pagan and other heathen religions are never called fiction. Just wondering what others thought of this brand of “tolerance”.

 

[ChadS]

Greetings my Catholic and Orthodox brethren who mght happen to be reading this. At my school in the IB program (which I am planning on doing next year) we actually learn about the Holy Bible, they might even bring in a priest from what I hear (hopefully Catholic). When I heard this I was on Cloud Nine and could almost hear choirs of angles singing Hallelujah in my mind. Now heres the onion, the Bible is in CLASSICAL FICTION. In the actual religion course, pagan and other heathen religions are never called fiction. Just wondering what others thought of this brand of “tolerance”.

What do you mean the Bible is in “classical Fiction”? Is that the way it’s described in class or where the course is listed in the course descriptions or where the book is located in the library?

I guess a little more information would be helpful.

ChadS

 

[Ashurie]

I agree with for more information, what section is the pagan books under? Perhaps they are putting the bible under the greats books like the Iliad? I honestly do not know, as I do not know your school…and I am not wanting to judge as I do not know the situation properly, nor at the school.

 

[Crusading_Canuk]

I suppose I could have been more clear, in the school courses, the Holy Bible is treated as a work of FICTION. And other (non-Christian) religions are treated no as fiction but as legitimate religions. Personall, as a Catholic I find this both highly offensive and characteristic of the double standard of “tolerance” in the modern world.

 

[ChadS]

I suppose I could have been more clear, in the school courses, the Holy Bible is treated as a work of FICTION. And other (non-Christian) religions are treated no as fiction but as legitimate religions. Personall, as a Catholic I find this both highly offensive and characteristic of the double standard of “tolerance” in the modern world.

When you say that other religions are treated as legitimate do you mean they are treated as true (since you say Christianity is treated as fiction)?

ChadS

 

[bkayw]

Every modern pagans I’ve talked with made attempts to call the books of Holy Scripture fiction. Attempted. I corrected them every time they made the error.

 

[MarianD]

Society reminds me more and more of a rebellious teenage girl with Catholicism as her parent.

Always trying to blaspheme, always trying to offend as a way to show her :independence". In reality, they need the Church and just hate to admit it.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I guess from a purely academic point of view I’d expect all religious narratives such as the Bible and the Koran to be in fiction. I wouldn’t be offended unless, as you state here, the Bible is treated differently, uniquely as fiction. One of the better Literature classes I took in college was called the Bible as literature, we used an interlinear but I can’t remember which one.

Hmm, I just discovered that our spell check capitalizes Koran but not Bible!

 

[jilly4ski]

I guess from a purely academic point of view I’d expect all religious narratives such as the Bible and the Koran to be in fiction. I wouldn’t be offended unless, as you state here, the Bible is treated differently, uniquely as fiction. One of the better Literature classes I took in college was called the Bible as literature, we used an interlinear but I can’t remember which one.

Hmm, I just discovered that our spell check capitalizes Koran but not Bible!

Actually the Bible should not be counted as fiction, at least not the new testament. They are depicting actual historical events, or historical people’s letters to other real historical people. This would be considered a primary source would it not? The Torah of the Jews (or the Koran of Islam) also should not be considered strictly fiction, because it is a historical religion’s religious book, and therefore not fiction. I would assume that the same should apply to Christianity.

 

[Crusading_Canuk]

In this case the Bible is being treated differently… as fiction, Islam in this course has its own course “Islamic History” and the Bible is just “fiction”. Beautiful example of tolerance isn’t it.

 

[corsair]

Of course, I’d be offended. In fact I’d find a different school to attend and really let them know why I was leaving. Life is too short to put up with that garbage.

 

[ChadS]

In this case the Bible is being treated differently… as fiction, Islam in this course has its own course “Islamic History” and the Bible is just “fiction”. Beautiful example of tolerance isn’t it.

So the course you’re taking is called Biblical Fiction and you’re told that Zeus and Thor are real deities?

ChadS

 

[Crusading_Canuk]

Yes, my school is a little screwed up. My Drama teacher for example accused me of being a “white power” skinhead “trying to keep the Brown man down” when I critized Obama. When I said I was a Conservative Monarchist ( I’m Canadian), he said that "people this boy’s not a communist… he’s seriously misguided. When I left the room to switch courses (which I did after) he went “people there goes her majesty The Queen.” He also said it was wierd that I believed in a Monarchy when my ancestors (I’m part Greek) brought Democracy to the world. Then he preaches tolerance and respect…

 

[PacoG]

I suppose I could have been more clear, in the school courses, the Holy Bible is treated as a work of FICTION. And other (non-Christian) religions are treated no as fiction but as legitimate religions. Personall, as a Catholic I find this both highly offensive and characteristic of the double standard of “tolerance” in the modern world.

I seriously doubt that. You are misconstruing.

My nephew was an IBer and now attends the University of Texas. I just called him and asked. He said that he never heard of such a thing. He did say that the Bible was treated as a work of literature. Not fiction.

Traditionally, the works of pagan religion (like the Greeks, Norse and Romans) are considered fiction as they are referred as “mythological”…for example the story of Sisyphus.

Do a little more research before you upset and unjustifiably anger people.

I have come to think that there is a whole host of “trolls” and “lurkers” who cause controversy and upset people on these board under the guise of working on an IB extended essay or a college research paper.

Now scurry off and do an internal assessment.

 

[Crusading_Canuk]

I seriously doubt that. You are misconstruing.

My nephew was an IBer and now attends the University of Texas. I just called him and asked. He said that he never heard of such a thing. He did say that the Bible was treated as a work of literature. Not fiction.

Traditionally, the works of pagan religion (like the Greeks, Norse and Romans) are considered fiction as they are referred as “mythological”…for example the story of Sisyphus.

Do a little more research before you upset and unjustifiably anger people.

I have come to think that there is a whole host of “trolls” and “lurkers” who cause controversy and upset people on these board under the guise of working on an IB extended essay or a college research paper.

Now scurry off and do an internal assessment.

Good day,

At my school in Newfoundland, not all IB courses can be offered in IB, as there are not enough qualified teachers apparently. For example we do not have a choice in IB language and I think the sciences offered are AP. When I heard of this, I asked my teacher very specifically. At my school the Bible is treated as fiction. If I was not sure, I would not post it. Also I did not appreciate the comments regarding, “trolls”, “lurkers” and scurrying off. Frankly it was rude. If you are unsure of anything I (or any other person for that matter) posts, I ask that you be more charitable in your response.

Good Day and God Bless,

Crusading Canuk

 

[kenofken]

I suppose I could have been more clear, in the school courses, the Holy Bible is treated as a work of FICTION. And other (non-Christian) religions are treated no as fiction but as legitimate religions. Personall, as a Catholic I find this both highly offensive and characteristic of the double standard of “tolerance” in the modern world.

Now you have a sense of how I feel every time I’m on this forum. Having one’s religion denigrated by people who don’t understand it DOES suck! This revelation can motivate us to value tolerance on ALL sides, or it can lead us to step up the intensity of our respective intolerance.

 

[kenofken]

Every modern pagans I’ve talked with made attempts to call the books of Holy Scripture fiction. Attempted. I corrected them every time they made the error.

THIS modern pagan doesn’t call your book fiction. I would call it mythology (which is not the pejorative we have come to assume in today’s society). We tend to call something a “myth” as a way to dismiss it as a fairy tale. It’s original meaning is that of stories which are rooted to various degrees in literal truth but which convey far deeper and ageless truths.

 

[HAnne]

Good day,

At my school in Newfoundland, not all IB courses can be offered in IB, as there are not enough qualified teachers apparently. For example we do not have a choice in IB language and I think the sciences offered are AP. When I heard of this, I asked my teacher very specifically. At my school the Bible is treated as fiction. If I was not sure, I would not post it. Also I did not appreciate the comments regarding, “trolls”, “lurkers” and scurrying off. Frankly it was rude. If you are unsure of anything I (or any other person for that matter) posts, I ask that you be more charitable in your response.

Good Day and God Bless,

Crusading Canuk

:tiphat: :clapping:

Well said Crusading Canuk from an American (far North, 30 miles from the Border). Dignity and respect should be held to the utmost esteem.

And with that said, I will be praying for you and your school.

:byzsoc:

 

[stephe1987]

Welcome to the western world.

Religious tolerance is for everyone who is not Christian.
There can be “gay pride” days, discounts at hotels for gays, but a “straight pride” or discount for straights is unthinkable.
And there can be ethnic clubs for any racial group except whites/Caucasians.

 

[Bluegoat]

I’m still not clear. Are they studying these texts in the same class, for the same purpose?

It is very common to study the Bible in classes on Western literature. Such classes do not really even address the truth claims of the book - it is being used as an important text in the development of Western literature, and perhaps being analyzed on a literary basis. That is not quite the same as asserting it is fiction.

It sounds like you are saying in the same class on religion, the Bible is being presented as fiction and other religious texts as truth. That seems unlikely to me, so it would be helpful if you clarified.