Struggling in biology class, please help

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wsr_24

Guest
#1
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
 
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Depleted

Guest
#2
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
Time to grow up. There are two answers to any given question when you're in school:
1. The real answer.
2. The answer the teacher will accept as the correct answer.

Best to know the first. If you want good grades, then best to put down the second.

This isn't an excuse to call on "anxiety." This is the beginning of learning how to be a grown up. You're going to have bosses that will tell you how to do something in 20 steps when you know how to do it in 3 steps. Do you want a paycheck or do you want to be right?

Get over the snowflake mentality! "Anxiety," "abusive," "having a hard time," and "I feel" (as validation) are all stuff teachers taught you, too. That comes under #2, not #1!

No kidding schools teach a lot of garbage with a fact showing up here and there. It's been like that since I was in school. Growing up means you know the difference within yourself, not proving it to your teacher/supervisor/every-joe-you-meet-on-the-street. Feel free to use that information in the right setting.

High school really does prepare you for the outside world, but not with "the facts" alone. It shows you what you have to do to get what you want to get. Life is like that. Welcome to the rest of your life.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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#3
Go with the flow and get the best possible grade. This whole world is secular in nature so you're going to have to find a way to deal with that internally. Keep quiet in class and raise your hand if you think that you have an acceptable answer. Glad to see that you have finally written a post having been a member for three months. Welcome to CC.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
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#4
Schools are teaching so much garbage these days.

My eldest daughter came home one day distressed.

Her religious education teacher told her that Jesus was a myth, Yet didn’t express that about the likes of Buddha, and so on.

In a sense it’s not abuse and even if it is they are abusive towards God and not you.
Outside of school it will be different but not better.
You will come accross a lot more people who will think and say the same.

Others in the class won’t get anxious about it or speak out becuase my guess is they are not believers.

So don’t get anxious just remember it’s not you he is going at but ironically the God he doesn’t believe in.

Change your focus and your tact.
Pray for them and just be like Jesus.
Just love them where they are at.

If your classmates can the love of Jesus in you then that speaks a lot louder than words.
Opportunities will arise.

Dont even bother arguing, as I said actions speaks more volumes than words.
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
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#5
Hi...My heart truly goes out to you...I would hate to be in your shoes right now, we are told in the bible that we must not deny Jesus, and we must not lie, so where does this leave you :confused:...I think it is wonderful that you are thinking about this, your love for our LORD is shining through, but what do you do next...

Could you tell your teacher you no longer want to do this class as your beliefs are not the same as you are being taught, this way you are revealing your truth in the LORD, and also explain that it will do you no good setting you back a year as your belief in our Lord will not change...Either way you will be standing up for Jesus, and who knows, from what you bring forward, you might be the only Jesus that they see, the real light that shines on the hill...

God says this to you Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand...:)...Bring it to God, pray earnestly to Him, He will guide you, and God also says in Psalm 118:6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?...

Do not be afraid, be brave, and stand up for what you truly believe in, just like your teacher is...May God bless you and guide you...xox...
 
Dec 21, 2012
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#6
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
You have been given good advise so far by 3 posters, but I do wonder if I would not ask him his question in return. Indeed, why not give his question back to him? He is the one teaching, right? He opened that can of worms by asking. Let him answer that question. If he tries to avoid it by putting it back on you, just say "You are the one teaching this. So teach."
 
Dec 21, 2012
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#7
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
You have been given good advise so far by 3 posters, but I do wonder if I would not ask him his question in return. Indeed, why not give his question back to him? He is the one teaching, right? He opened that can of worms by asking. Let him answer that question. If he tries to avoid it by putting it back on you, just say "You are the one teaching this. So teach."

I hope the student is grounded in the scriptures to do that. I know Jesus Christ in Him can help him minister to the lost.

As it is, it could very well be that the teacher is hurting for answers too, and may be forced to teach that in class or else he loses his job.

But I really think the teacher should answer his own question when no one answers. Isn't that the way it is in class?
 

G00WZ

Senior Member
May 16, 2014
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#8
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless

Just give them back what they give you... Alright, he says he teaches from an evolutionary perspective, refer to it in every answer like this "evolutionary perspective suggests".. and in response to the teachers question you could easily say something like " well i guess i have to accept what the evolutionary perspective suggests", what you are accepting isn't a false truth, but the reality that they lie, and they don't know God, and they come from a limited understanding.. Everything they "suggest" is garbage and you can accept it as that, and give it back to them when they question you. Most classes/schools just want a person to be able to recite things, and to take in whatever they push as truth... I would just say be mindful of this and to reflect on Matthew 22:21, the concept goes beyond just coins.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
8,877
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#9
You have been given good advise so far by 3 posters, but I do wonder if I would not ask him his question in return. Indeed, why not give his question back to him? He is the one teaching, right? He opened that can of worms by asking. Let him answer that question. If he tries to avoid it by putting it back on you, just say "You are the one teaching this. So teach."

I hope the student is grounded in the scriptures to do that. I know Jesus Christ in Him can help him minister to the lost.

As it is, it could very well be that the teacher is hurting for answers too, and may be forced to teach that in class or else he loses his job.

But I really think the teacher should answer his own question when no one answers. Isn't that the way it is in class?
I totally agree with you.
I would emphasis though that before a student should start to ask questions not only should they should be grounded in scripture but also know what rejections that basically atheists will use to reject scripture.

Ardent atheists will pose questions like if God is love then why did he tell Israel to commit genocide and so on.
Most objections and questions come from there angst against the God of the OT.
Yet they don’t actually delve into the history or context they just focus on the negative and perceived inhumanity.

I won’t go into examples here of how we can refute them.
 
Dec 21, 2012
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#10
Hi...My heart truly goes out to you...I would hate to be in your shoes right now, we are told in the bible that we must not deny Jesus, and we must not lie, so where does this leave you :confused:...I think it is wonderful that you are thinking about this, your love for our LORD is shining through, but what do you do next...

Could you tell your teacher you no longer want to do this class as your beliefs are not the same as you are being taught, this way you are revealing your truth in the LORD, and also explain that it will do you no good setting you back a year as your belief in our Lord will not change...Either way you will be standing up for Jesus, and who knows, from what you bring forward, you might be the only Jesus that they see, the real light that shines on the hill...

God says this to you Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand...:)...Bring it to God, pray earnestly to Him, He will guide you, and God also says in Psalm 118:6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?...

Do not be afraid, be brave, and stand up for what you truly believe in, just like your teacher is...May God bless you and guide you...xox...
I am not sure how my reply below got mixed with a repeated post to wsr_24, but it did. Here is my reply to you.

I hope the student is grounded in the scriptures to do that. I know Jesus Christ in Him can help him minister to the lost.

As it is, it could very well be that the teacher is hurting for answers too, and may be forced to teach that in class or else he loses his job.

But I really think the teacher should answer his own question when no one answers. Isn't that the way it is in class?
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,862
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#11
I don't even really know how to answer this. :confused:
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#12
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
Welcome to the real world.
You don't give your age or grade, but you sound old enough that I'm surprised to hear this is the first time you've dealt with this.
A question. Why would you expect a world lead by sinners to be establishing truth in what they teach? Doesn't it actually make sense that they would be this way?
This is a behavior you will need to get used to and not be so easily rattled by. In a world full of sinners learn to expect sin. And learn not to be so offended by it.

Not as an insult, but as an insight, your reaction actually very much sounds like the typical reaction of modern young people in the world. Unable to tolerate different views and thinking of it as some form of abuse. It's not.
A question I would genuinely ask myself, if I were you, is "why does my reaction sound so much like the world's?".
The bible talks about the Christian as a warrior in a battle. If you expect to win you will need to learn that warriors can't be so easily phased by minor things. They expect them and accept them as part of their role as a warrior.
Many of us have already experienced this and we all survived and are fine. No one feels abused from it.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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#13
I am not sure how my reply below got mixed with a repeated post to wsr_24, but it did. Here is my reply to you.

I hope the student is grounded in the scriptures to do that. I know Jesus Christ in Him can help him minister to the lost.

As it is, it could very well be that the teacher is hurting for answers too, and may be forced to teach that in class or else he loses his job.

But I really think the teacher should answer his own question when no one answers. Isn't that the way it is in class?
The way it works is the teacher asks the questions and the student provides the answers. It would be very disruptive if the teacher was constantly interrupted by having to defend any aspect of the material that is presented.
 
Sep 6, 2017
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#14
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
stay positive and use the class as a test ground per say, Jesus was tested many times by others in His life,

the teacher can talk all he wants about the topic it is the teachers class, but do what you need to do to pass the class.

the teacher will only be in your life for a short time, So let the "how you feel you came from a monkey" go in one ear and out the other. if you feel as sometimes God is showing something while in class just remain cool and collective.
 
P

pckts

Guest
#15
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
Same experience, with evolution as well as other topics like sexuality. I also felt anxious and ready to explode in class, I just wanted to argue with the teacher, and sometimes I did (don't do this). When he asks how does it feel to be a monkey smugly, remaining silent seems like you are empowering him and passively giving him your approval.

You have to disconnect yourself mentally and emotionally from the class so you aren't in such a reactive state. Doodle in your notebook while he talks and passively listen, this at the very least will let him and everyone know you aren't interested or giving the material any credence. The same material is taught all over the world and the victim isn't you, it's the teacher and students under the deception.

Just appreciate you know the truth, and understand that if you want to go to college there is going to be a lot more of this, so you have to learn to put up with it while remaining "knowledgeable" (memorize and regurgitate) for the test. Put the right answers down on the test, and consider this as an opportunity to learn about the deceptions, values, and beliefs of the unbeliever. You will understand why the world and people are the way they are at the very least.
 
Jan 27, 2015
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#16
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
Sounds about right.

You don't have to support evolutionary theory if you don't want to. I took two psychology courses in grad school (at least, two courses that come to mind immediately) where the teacher gave evolutionary explanations, and I didn't write down any of those evolutionary explanations on any exams. In one class, the teacher even subtly painted religion and modernity/science as opposites, with religion being "irrational". I didn't write that down on the exam either. I got As in both classes. In the class where religion was painted as irrational, I even wrote my final paper comparing and contrasting secular approaches to psychotherapy with an approach grounded in the Bible. I supported my approach with Bible verses and everything. Got an A.

You don't have to stand for anything you don't stand for. Granted, not every teacher will be fair about it; some will accept anything that you support well, and others will reject anything that doesn't support their preferred viewpoint. Ultimately, stick with truth. If you're asked about it specifically on any exams, answer what you honestly believe and (possibly) get a few points taken off. There are worse ways to be "persecuted". I mean, some folks were beheaded; you might get some points taken off. Try to have some perspective. If you run from this, you will not be able to stand when faced with actual persecution.
 
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Mo0448

Senior Member
Jun 10, 2013
1,209
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#17
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
I majored in Biology & Chemistry so I can tell you while I personally cannot separate the two (I think both biology and Chemistry show design of a very thoughtful intelligent creator God) I did use the idea that in a lab setting we are using empirical data (verifiable and observable measurable data instead of faith) to draw our conclusions so do just that. You're not denying God in any way, you're just using measurable means to draw a conclusion. The fact that he is bringing up these phrases (how does it feel to know we came from Monkeys), sounds kinda like a jab at the Christian world view...which is also silly assertion for a biology professor to make; sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder. I remember every single one of my test questions that asked about big bang or evolution I would state my faith as my belief in the first sentence but then assert using empirical scientific view with my faith aside as a means of a conclusion then the big bang etc etc etc...never left out that my faith was my founding belief if that makes sense... You can do it dude...if taking a biology class meant you were blaspheming against God or scripture there would be no Christian doctors, chemists or biologists. Keep your head up!
 
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wsr_24

Guest
#18
I'm 18 and it's my first year in college, the last 4 years I've been sheltered in a Christian school which is probably the problem. This is my first experience in the real world. It's just shell shock. I'm shy/quiet and kinda felt alone in class so I reached out here. I appreciate yours and everyone's input and helping me to adult.
 

Huckleberry

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
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#19
I'm taking a biology II course and my teacher said he is only teaching from an evolutionary perspective, there's no open discussion, and today he said "how does it feel to know you came from a monkey". I believe in God but this feels like abuse, there's no presentation of evidence, and it's just being taught as fact. Is this normal??? I'm getting anxious about just going to class and I don't know what to do. I can't drop because it will put me back a year. I'm afraid to speak up in class and nobody else seems to be having an issue, at least no one is saying anything. Sometimes I want to leave class but I feel stuck because he doesn't go by the book and I fee like I have to stay to get an A. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this. Has anyone else had a similar experience and have advice. God bless
You don't have to believe the garbage they're teaching, you just have to know it.
Don't worry about evidence or any controversial aspects of the class.
Just learn what they're teaching and do your best to pass the class.
You're not there to convert anyone or confront the instructor,
you're there because you're spending money on a degree.
If you don't pass you'll have wasted your money.
Just suck it up and plow through it.
 
Dec 16, 2012
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#20
This is brilliant.

You don't have to stand for anything you don't stand for. Granted, not every teacher will be fair about it; some will accept anything that you support well, and others will reject anything that doesn't support their preferred viewpoint. Ultimately, stick with truth. If you're asked about it specifically on any exams, answer what you honestly believe and (possibly) get a few points taken off. There are worse ways to be "persecuted". I mean, some folks were beheaded; you might get some points taken off. Try to have some perspective. If you run from this, you will not be able to stand when faced with actual persecution.