Note: I attend a public high school in America
I tend to keep my beliefs to myself because, I am not one to enjoys scrutiny and abuse. But recently, I have struggled to keep my trap shut in English class where we are being forced to analyze religious and science hating poetry. As far as I am concerned, out of my 33 peers, only one shares my views. Keep in mind this is a public NOT CHRISTIAN/CATHOLIC SCHOOL. my question is this: are school allowed to do this? And if not what should I do?
-M
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@M: we are being forced to analyze religious and science hating poetry.
If you're being forced to express agreement with the material, that's a problem. But if you're able to present a reasoned critique showing what's wrong with the poetry and why you disagree with it, then it could be very useful for you. To do that, you'll need to learn about the historical context, the writer's religious background, the use of language, etc. It's not enough to say religion is bad. You need to be able to present logical arguments showing why it's bad.
But I know how you feel. When I was in high school many many years ago, we were forced to study poetry by a gloomy Victorian Jesuit called Gerard Manley Hopkins. Even the Victorians thought he was boring, but somebody decided his work was just the thing to get 17-year-olds in the 20th century interested in poetry.
As long as you keep your responses or essays in the form of your opinion, you can not be wrong...ever. especially considering there is no reason to believe in a god. When you answer these questions, you will have to respond to both views on god however.
YEP. Using religious literature as examples of literature in an English class is completely appropriate. Preaching is not. You probably need to lighten up. Religion is a very important part of our history in the West. There is nothing wrong with learning about it or learning critiques of it. If you are religious and you think you are justified in your beliefs, how in the hell will a little scientific inquiry or a bit of historical reality affect that? Of course if you are not justified, you are probably going to feel a bit uncomfortable. In either case, the point in English class is to learn something about the development of English and nothing has affected that development like religion.
I completely agree with you, but the particular unit is on Faith. Though using religion in literature is fine, with our class discussions on Faith and God, its staring to feel like Sunday school! But I totally agree with you, my main issue is feeling a bit awkward, which I can deal with! Thanks!
M,
"Keep in mind this is a public NOT CHRISTIAN/CATHOLIC SCHOOL. my question is this: are school allowed to do this? And if not what should I do?"
Historically only certain Protestant sects such as Baptists have tried to force religion into American public schools. The Catholics have always been against it. The fight has been going on for centuries.
From the NYT archives , January 17, 1870 =https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1870/01/17/80235439.pdf
You can do your own research about the issue using that resource.
Thanks for the link! I have been searching for a reliable source, which lead me to join start this forum.
M,
"Thanks for the link!"
They only give you about five free articles a month so if you need to do a lot of research you can join for a small recurring monthly fee. The good thing is that you can research almost any historical issue as it was written about in the newspaper from about 1851 to today. It seems that they changed the search format. It used to be a lot easier to find relevant articles.
@M
Welcome to the AR, young lady. You have chosen wisely by coming here.
Putting in my two cents on this, I say have fun with the class. As long as they are using it only as a means to study its influences on society and are not attempting to convince students to believe, then take it as an opportunity to learn. Could help you in the long-run when debating theists. Plus, I'm guessing you will have to write papers and such in the class? Well, just like goG said, as long as you are expressing your own opinions, it will be difficult for them to mark it against you. Who knows? If you do a good enough job, you might even be able to plant a few seeds of doubt in the minds of some of the believers in the class. That would probably be my goal, at least. *chuckle* Anyway, like I said, just have fun with it.
I love it "FAITH." Faith is not a path to "TRUTH." Is there a position, any position, that I can not hold, based on "FAITH?" Buddhists have faith. Hindus have faith. Shintoists have Faith. Muslims have faith. They don't have facts or evidence. They are; however, overflowing with faith. Anything and everything can be supported with FAITH.
For most intents and purpose teachers are gods that hold your grade fate in their hands unless you can manage to prove they were biased against you (very difficult.)
Smile and nod in class, get your grade, THEN complain.
Welcome M
It is to your benefit to learn the history and different aspects of religion. Remember, ignorance is the most powerful weapon that supports religion. Education and critical thinking are the enemy of religion.
My suggestion is to approach it like a history lesson, or a debate. In a proper debate, one does not have to take a side in the topic, just analyze both sides of the arguments and put forth a compelling argument to support your position.
But LogicForTW's words are wise, do not run afoul of the teacher. Getting your grades is more important than making a personal and public stand that may invoke the ire of those who control your grades.
Which poems?
@CyberLN
Here is a link to one of the poem. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/41705/faith-56d21f...
Im sure I have posted this advice before...if you really want to understand just how the bible has had a part in forming the english language read "Bible and Sword" by Barbara Tuchmann one of the finest of US historians.