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Closet Atheist
14th October 2011, 04:25 PM
I was in geography class and my teacher has on the board examples of communities. Some of these were cultural, sporting and religious. I pointed out that there are also non-religious communities out there, like atheists (I'd just like to say that I'm in a catholic school). This prompts her to start lecturing us on atheists.

She started by saying that throughout our life we will be going through phases, questioning and doubting our beliefs. We will also come across people that believe in nothing- atheists.

What a negative view. Because we all think everything is meaningless without some deity in the sky. What's the point of our life? :rolleyes:

She says that while we think that (atheism) it's weird, there are people out there that find our (catholic) views silly. She proceeds to tell us about her days as a uni student studying geography. Being that atheists tend to take science subjects, she came across some. She said that some were nice, loving people... (I knew there was something negative coming) some are in your face.

She says that people are surprised when they find out she is catholic and still believes in science. This 'shoving in my face' business was apparently because some atheists at her university asked her for proof of god.

She said she had none. She starts to complain about these atheists as if the positive comment before never happened. She then said to us that if an atheists asks that, we should say...
wait for it...
...
...
...
'Prove that god doesn't exist'.

First of all asking for proof is a very fair question. Second, atheists get religion shoved down their throat many times more than that.

She says that they cannot answer it and should shut them up.

Then, she said that there are people called 'agnostic' that believe in a form of godbut they don't know what it is. Isn't that called deism?

I ask her if non-catholic people can work at the school out of curiosity. She answers that they prefer catholics but if a non-catholic works there, they have to follow the catholic way of life. That is, dress modestly, be a role model, arrive on time and not do something like turn up drunk to class. Like non-religious people are incapable of being like that.

While all this is going on, she doesn't ever mention respecting atheists for their opinion even though she and the rest of the school pays special respect to other religions.

I'm thinking of e-mailing the teacher about it because I do not want to discuss it during class. Do you think it would be okay to complain about this, being in a catholic school. I really want to bring the prejudice down about atheists. Thanks.

Voltairine
14th October 2011, 07:01 PM
Don't do the email. You can't change a closed mind.

Xeno
14th October 2011, 07:13 PM
ClosetA, your thinking is very clear on each of the factual points raised, no problems. The last though is about prejudice. What is the direct gain in opening that? Do you plan to change the thinking of the teacher, the school behind them and the church behind the school?

It is rare that one influences an individual, especially where they are backed by, and mutually comfortable with, an institution. Save your powder for more equal fights, and for ones where it makes a real difference for you.

Podblack
14th October 2011, 08:07 PM
I'm thinking of e-mailing the teacher about it because I do not want to discuss it during class. Do you think it would be okay to complain about this, being in a catholic school. I really want to bring the prejudice down about atheists. Thanks.

Hope you don't mind if I write the following on my blog (http://www.freethoughtblogs.com/tokenskeptic) as well?
Best defence in those cases is setting a good example.

Be someone who demonstrates that you are charitable, good role model, involved, a citizen. Then when you can't get any repercussions for it - reveal you were an atheist all along. And point out how there were a variety of things that you got from the school that helped you as a person, but didn't change your mind about God and encouraged you to be the person you are. :)

By the way, if you're not already a subscriber: http://www.geologicpodcast.com/the_geologic_podcast_episode_144 (http://www.geologicpodcast.com/the_geologic_podcast_episode_144). He often answers questions on these matters.

Closet Atheist
15th October 2011, 10:09 AM
Despite all those comments, she's actually quite a smart and respectful teacher. Even if things don't go so good, I'll only have her as a teacher for a few weeks.

Hope you don't mind if I write the following on my blog (http://www.freethoughtblogs.com/tokenskeptic) as well?
Best defence in those cases is setting a good example.

Be someone who demonstrates that you are charitable, good role model, involved, a citizen. Then when you can't get any repercussions for it - reveal you were an atheist all along. And point out how there were a variety of things that you got from the school that helped you as a person, but didn't change your mind about God and encouraged you to be the person you are. :)

By the way, if you're not already a subscriber: http://www.geologicpodcast.com/the_geologic_podcast_episode_144 (http://www.geologicpodcast.com/the_geologic_podcast_episode_144). He often answers questions on these matters.

Sure.

Logic please
15th October 2011, 05:39 PM
@CA: one of the things I've learned from being on this forum, is that you can't usually change someone's mind, without their own help as well. ;)

So, any efforts by you to do so, are gonna be up against it unfortunately, IMO. If the teacher was ever going to have a change of mind, it would have been more likely to have come about via contact with atheist contemporaries / friends.

You say that you will only have this teacher for a few more weeks. That's well and good, but unless you are actually leaving the school, there is a possibility that this teacher could talk to your future ones if your efforts to correct the record, get up his / her nose.

I admire and applaud your sentiments, arguments and analysis, as well as your desire to address the problem. I agree with others that, given the slim likelihood of success, not risking your education might be the wisest course. :)

Podblack
16th October 2011, 10:30 AM
Hi - thanks again, hope it works out - and there'll be some links and ideas in the following:
Sunday Morning Survey – ‘When’s The Right Time To Announce You’re A Young Atheist?’ (http://freethoughtblogs.com/tokenskeptic/2011/10/16/sunday-morning-survey-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%98whens-the-right-time-to-announce-youre-a-young-atheist%E2%80%99/)

Closet Atheist
18th October 2011, 01:52 PM
Well despite what you have all said, I told her in person. She's a very respectful person and apologised. I think you've just been in too many arguments with ignorant christians.

Xeno
18th October 2011, 02:53 PM
I think you've just been in too many arguments with ignorant christians.LOL Copy that, Houston.

Podblack
18th October 2011, 04:07 PM
Well despite what you have all said, I told her in person. She's a very respectful person and apologised. I think you've just been in too many arguments with ignorant christians.

Excellent. :) Since I've worked as an RE teacher (currently in a department of them!) it's good to know that they were open to discussion.