A slightly charged subject

Post by **bio** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:40 pm

College western civilization instructor fired after he told his students that the biblical story of Adam and Eve should not be literally interpreted.

Um... wow!

This is at a community college, not a private religious school.

What's next? Firing any geology professor who states that there are rocks older than 6,000 years?

Post by **miftah** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:28 pm

I like what he says about the majority of the message being lost in not grasping that its a metaphor. Sounds like they had someone placed in a position of power to exact their agenda. They'll sow what they reap.

moe flam · Post by **moe flam** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:49 pm

"... have to teach that there were such things as talking snakes or lose their job," Bitterman said."

Such an ugly issue, full of knee-jerk reactions. Not being a talking snakes believer myself, I still hold that religion should be taught in school, but in a historical context.

IE: Why so much of our world is f*cked up. Not 'teaching' religion, but teaching the basics of each so people can have an educated assessment of aforementioned f*cked up daily news.

Post by **bio** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:40 am

I have no problem with teaching theology. A little theology is good for you. But it shouldn't be taught as anything other than a belief.... especially in the state funded community college level.

Oh... and if you want Christianity taught... then you need to also teach Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and every other major religion... with no preference granted to any one.

In this case though, would the same result have happened if if wasn't in Iowa?

Post by **miftah** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:16 am

Take your pick of red states. It could have happened in any of them. Spirituality here isn't exactly like it is elsewhere. The politicians you see on TV that appeal to the "moral" sensibilities, well that's how it works here. Is there a real sense of Christian faith here? No, not really, just the appearance. This is probably why I have such a cynical view of the faith. I've grown up around it and found that by and large, its a big theater production. Instead of looking for any sort of inner-peace (which is hard and takes a tremendous amount of effort), most stage demonstrations of their faith in the public forum. Which is what this is and what the whole intelligent design furor in Topeka was nearly 10 years ago.

One of the shrewdest maneuvers the faith ever chose was to paint itself as a victim of these persecuting others, when all anyone advocated was making room for everyone at the table. Somehow restraining Christianity from playing bully over the other faiths or lack thereof became persecuting Christians. Amazing. That any Christian has the audacity to even mention the word "persecution" to a Jew is arrogance enough to justify my disdain. How long ago was Rome conquered by the Catholics?

I like a lot about the Midwest, but this is the central issue of my less forgiving views.

moe flam · Post by **moe flam** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:23 am

bio wrote:Oh... and if you want Christianity taught... then you need to also teach Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and every other major religion... with no preference granted to any one.

Yes, this would be a requirement. I took a slight detour, I totally agree it should be displayed as stories. My point was people that want religion taught in school need the 'all or nothing' curriculum on religions taught to students. Only talking about one is obviously dangerous and skewed.

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:21 am

It would only be a matter of seconds before you'd then have several forms of Paganism and Satanism demanding that their point of view be included. Which I think would be fascinating to see, having all these kids coming home and informing their christian parents that they had been wrong all along about the sinister nature of the religions they are always warning their kids about.

Post by **miftah** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:59 am

Moxie wrote:Which I think would be fascinating to see, having all these kids coming home and informing their christian parents that they had been wrong all along about the sinister nature of the religions they are always warning their kids about.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trust any public school to get these right.

ironpants · Post by **ironpants** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:23 pm

miftah wrote:I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trust any public school to get these right.

Ok, I'll bite, why's that?