world religions class

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JFSurvivor

JFSurvivor

Senior Member
#1
Jan 20, 2015
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#1
So this summer I am taking a world religions class and i am having a really hard time cuz when questions come up like "do you agree with this definition of religion?" I'm like "No. I believe Christianity is the only definition of religion. The rest of them are all worshiping false gods." And I just can't even complete one assignment!!!

What do I do?? Should I just drop the class or get over myself?
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#2
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
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#2
Just disagree. Would that affect your grade? Aren't they just asking you for your opinion, or is there a right answer?
 
S

Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#3
#3
JFSurvivor said:
Should I just...get over myself?
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If you think that's definitely an issue, then yeppers. But that's not to say that you should not be bold in your faith. This class stands to challenge your world view and test your faith, which can either strengthen it or muddle it, at least.
 
Agricola

Agricola

Senior Member
#4
Dec 10, 2012
2,638
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#4
You can easily complete this without agreeing with it. I would not have thought the people running the course and exam want you to side with anything and you should remain neutral anyway.
 
JFSurvivor

JFSurvivor

Senior Member
#5
Jan 20, 2015
1,184
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#5
I'm just confused cuz my teacher is like "your opinion doesn't matter here" then he gives us an assignment that asks our opinion!!!! I would be happy to memorize facts and stuff but I don't wanna be like "oh yeah all religions are equal" I can memorize and comprehend and learn about all the religions but I don't wanna be like "yup they are all equal." cuz they're not!
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#6
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
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#6
When I was in Seminary, World Religions was a required course. I took it from a missionary on home leave, and he was totally awesome and so were the books we used. Of course, it was from a Christian perspective, but he loved to play devil's advocate, and see what the class of future pastors and missionaries did with it. A lot of times we were totally lost about how to witness to the people from various religions.

We even visited a mosque, which was a very good experience, and helped me reallize Muslims were people, and many of them kind people. Just totally deluded about God! There was one man there, who was the son of the former Moderator of the United Church of Canada (the biggest Protestant denomination in Canada, and totally apostate!). A group of men in our class took him on, and they were very gentle, but he just didn't have the answers and finally ran out of the mosque because he didn't want to hear the truth about Jesus.

I would approach your professor alone, after class, and tell him your dilemma. There is nothing wrong about learning about other religions, especially if it helps you witness to people from other religions.

Plus, I like to think of Christianity as my relationship with God, not my religion. Maybe that will help you get through the class if it is required.
 
Nautilus

Nautilus

Senior Member
#7
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
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#7
A religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence.[SUP][note 1][/SUP] Many religions have narratives, symbols, and sacred histories that aim to explain the meaning of life, the origin of life, or the Universe. From their beliefs about the cosmos and human nature, people may derivemorality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle.

Thats from wikipedia. There are plenty of religions in the world. Whether they are correct or not is a completely separate matter. While I normally hate the phrase 'Christianity is about a relationship not a religion' fits well here. So yes get over yourself and just do the coursework.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#8
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
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#8
It might interest you to know that a renowned Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, said, basically, that "All religion is unbelief."
 
C

CeileDe

Guest
#9
#9
You have to realize that the class isn't all about Christianity. You are there to learn about different world religions. This doesn't mean you have to agree with everything your instructor says. Just stick to your guns and enjoy the history lesson.
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#10
#10
JFSurvivor said:
I'm just confused cuz my teacher is like "your opinion doesn't matter here" then he gives us an assignment that asks our opinion!!!! I would be happy to memorize facts and stuff but I don't wanna be like "oh yeah all religions are equal" I can memorize and comprehend and learn about all the religions but I don't wanna be like "yup they are all equal." cuz they're not!
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Your cool :) In Jesus Name
 
E

Elijah19

Guest
#11
#11
For starters, I understand how you feel completely! I've been where you are, my Sister. First off, I would tell you to just hang in there. As a world religions class, it is only to be expected that their definition of the word "religion" is a very broad one, since you will be covering a vast plethora of them, obviously, rather than just a few. You probably knew that from the get go. They probably think it is just a bunch of societal/metaphysical beliefs with rituals and traditions. Whereas our definition of religion goes as follows according to the Bible:

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

With Jesus Christ added to the above formula, that's just about where we stand on religion. But seriously, I would treat this class of yours just the same as you would a class that was teaching evolution: politely disagree with their interpretation of things, but give the answers they need from you while making it clear that you are NOT buying it. If you've had to deal with a few atheist professors and evolution teachers in the past, as I'm sure you have, I would advise you to treat the matter in the same way. I hope this helps you.

Carry on with God's blessing...
 
M

MyLighthouse

Guest
#12
#12
Joidevivre said:
Just disagree. Would that affect your grade? Aren't they just asking you for your opinion, or is there a right answer?
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I agree. College lets you disagree just have a really strong point for your disagreement.

I do feel you need to be more open to the others view. This helps with witnessing to these people, you have a knowledge of their faith which is a strong advantage many don't take the time to have. I would go through the religions and analysis what each perspective view is on religion. Come to the kind of understanding and empathy for the people...

This is coming from someone who is majoring in language though, haha. If your not enjoying the class though dropping may be a good option.
 
santuzza

santuzza

Senior Member
#13
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
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#13
I think, especially in today's culture, it's important to know about world religions. Learn the distinctives of each of these faith systems -- it will help you deepen your own faith.

Actually the professor is almost right when s/he says that all religions are the same -- with the exception of Christianity, they are all works-based religions. Think about it. That can be your strong argument for Christianity.

Frankly, if the prof is saying s/he isn't looking for opinions then asks for an opinion, I would question him/her about it. But put it in the way that would say, "I'm sorry, Prof. X, I don't understand this question because from my perspective, it seems like you're asking for an opinion, so clearly, I'm understanding the question incorrectly." That way, the prof's ego is preserved (some profs can really be jerks -- I know, I used to be one!), but brings to light that the question is really asking for an opinion -- perhaps s/he will change the question.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#14
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
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#14
Just remember, the point of being there is to manage a passing grade, so that you have not simply thrown your money away. You will not win anything by "besting" the prof.

You can insist on being "right", but it will only bring you a failing grade for the class, and really prove nothing to anyone.
 
MarcR

MarcR

Senior Member
#15
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
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#15
JF,

I would say: 'since you asked for MY opinion, Here it is: It can't be wrong, since I know my own opinion. If or when you ask me what you taught I will tell you what you taught, in order to earn a grade. If what you teach agrees with the bible, I will believe it.
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#16
#16
I SAY...never for one minute deny your faith and the truth of your faith....If they cant deal with it and have to punish you in some way? Good, you have suffered for Christ sake and received a passing grade from God...not from man .
 
M

Miri

Guest
#17
#17
Hi JF is it possible that the class definition of "religion" is correct, in the sense
of mans attempts to define their beliefs and have set actions, ideas and
principles.

The overall defination of "religion" in mans terms would not necessarily take
anything away from true Christianity, which personally I don't think of as a "religion".

Maybe you can try to separate the two and set out what you think mans
defination of religion is , but then include something about how this is not
necessarily God's definition of religion in your opinion and explain a little how Christianity
is different as it involves a close relationship with God etc.
 
Agricola

Agricola

Senior Member
#18
Dec 10, 2012
2,638
88
48
#18
JFSurvivor said:
I'm just confused cuz my teacher is like "your opinion doesn't matter here" then he gives us an assignment that asks our opinion!!!! I would be happy to memorize facts and stuff but I don't wanna be like "oh yeah all religions are equal" I can memorize and comprehend and learn about all the religions but I don't wanna be like "yup they are all equal." cuz they're not!
Click to expand...
So what was the actual question and have you spoken to teacher yet?
 
Lifetrack

Lifetrack

Senior Member
#19
Oct 20, 2014
213
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#19
When you know the answer they want from you, give it to them like:

Religion is the way people cope with problems. answer= yes (don't agree)

Do you believe in incarnation ? answer= yes (Jesus did)

Just thinking.
 
T

TwilightSparkle

Guest
#20
#20
I say. Just trest it as a class. Nobody is forcing you to believe all 5 religions. You just learn about them. Also you don't have to agree with what the professor or book teaches. Your in college not highschool it's OK and normal to do this. Bottom line just do the work to get an A. You know your a Christian and you believe so you've got nothing to fear
 
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