Thoughts on God from Juniors at the University of NC

[JanMichael]

This is Stephanie, not Michael. I am currently studying religion with an eye on Divinity school at a campus of the University-

This is my second week of classes as a Jr. I am shocked at the absolute fundamentalism of some of the other students, and thought I would post some of their comments on DU for discussion.

These are their words, not mine:

" One could very easily focus on the fact that there are variations, contradictions even, in the gospels. I, though, am most interested in the ubiquitous contention that He, in fact, lived...there's no doubt about that! Sadly enough, historians, believers, and non-believers alike, search for consistency and question the inconsistencies. But despite the inconsistencies, his existence simply cannot be refuted...and in my opinion, as a believer and a scholar, that is of the uttermost importance."

This is from another student, in a class about Jesus in Myth:

" I think if you're truly a Christian, you should believe the Bible in its entirety, because you should have faith that it's completely true. A bold statement, I know. But, that is why I believe God did not allow the Gospel of Thomas to be included in the Bible--because of the obvious flaws and claims it holds (which include things about Jesus being a real brat! Probably not true)."

This type of fundamental thinking in light of everything students have, or SHOULD have learned to make it to their Junior year at a public Liberal Arts University is the result of cultic brainwashing that has taken place over the course of hundreds of years.

[Thtwudbeme]

1. Kicking

well, I thought it was interesting!

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. For the first quote, there is basically one source -- the gospels

appear to all have been derived from that source, with the later ones building on the earlier ones. There is no independent source that verifies his existance. Even Josephus somehow missed it in his histories.

For the second, it was a gaggle of bishops that kept Thomas out, along with many other non-canonical works for just the purpose of reducing the inconstancies that might give rise to schisms. The were in the process of changing Christianity from being an eastern, Hebrew religion and making it a western, Roman religion, and their model was the old Roman empire itself. Dissent was dangerous, unlike in Judism where it is a way of finding deeper truths.

As you said, they should know better by now.

[Thtwudbeme]

3. KICK! This is what's wrong with Humanity.

Idiots. Idiots. Idiots. Fucking Idiots.

[Az]

4. There is an institution called ICR (Institution for Creation Research)

They preport to be looking into scientific evidence supporting the creation story. The thing is they have their staff sign a contract stating that any evidence they find that refutes the claims of the bible will be discarded as false evidence. What starts in the schools winds up in the field.

Nothing to suprise me with these quotes. I have been debating religion for decades now. I have met both savant and fool on both sides of the tussle.

It all boils down to the nature of our mind and how we come to believe things. Reason cannot enter where doubt does not exist. And doubt is merely our mind torn between our emotional acceptance of opposing positions. It is then that we seek tools we have learned to rely on to settle such matters. Reason is only one such tool. There are emotional and social tools as well. Looking for signs and listening for inner voices. Turning to friends and turning to ancient texts.

[JanMichael]

5. With that clause one can hardly guess how the "investigators" will frame..

...their "discoveries", eh?

[JanMichael]

6. KICK! This is a perfect example of the insanity that we must defeat!

Or at least neuter.

[RevCheesehead]

7. Are these students Religion majors? Or just filling a credit?

If they're just taking a course to fulfill credit, they will probably go on their merry way, thinking and believing in exactly the same way they came in.

If they're religion majors, ...hmmm. One wonders if their intent is to go into the ministry. Then it all depends on which seminary they choose. Some will allow narrow interpretation, and others will radically deconstruct your faith and rebuild it.

When I was at Duke Div School, many of the hard-core literalists didn't last more than a semester. In other courses, some provoked arguments - especially about baptism. I was obnoxious enough to inform them that they were in a United Methodist Seminary, and there would be certain things which reflect United Methodist, not Baptist theology. One student was shocked - SHOCKED - to learn that DDS is United Methodist. This was during their second semester. Duh - read the handbook!