The ongoing assault continued today...
For starters, here's a quote he showed the class on the big screen:
"Science is much closer to myth than a scientific philosophy is prepared to admit. It is one of the many forms of thought that have been developed by man, and not necessarily the best. It is conspicuous, noisy, and impudent, but it is inherently superior only for those who have already decided in favor of a certain ideology, or who have accepted it without ever having examined its advantages and limits." ~ Paul Feyerabend
Immediately, I thought to myself... well that would sound right if you replaced the word "science" with the word "religion."
Let's have a look shall we:
"Religion is much closer to myth than a religious philosophy is prepared to admit. It is one of the many forms of thought that have been developed by man, and not necessarily the best. It is conspicuous, noisy, and impudent, but it is inherently superior only for those who have already decided in favor of a certain ideology, or who have accepted it without ever having examined its advantages and limits." ~ Me
Continuing on (It gets MUCH worse)...
Although the course I am in is titled Religion, Media & Communication and falls under the Journalism and Mass Communications title at the University I attend, I have yet to hear anything other than religious indoctrination, bad science, and unfounded opinion from my professor. Keep in mind that I attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This is NOT a private school.
After taking the first two days of class to bash atheists and force his moral beliefs on us (http://progressiveu.org/blog/51179-atheist-student-v-religious-professor), my professor continued on today with more preaching (he is an ordained deacon in the Catholic church after all).
Today's offensive topics: God is the only way to peace, abortion is always wrong, and gay marriage leads to polygamy, incest, and pedophilia. I am paying to hear this crap?
Today my professor uttered the following words and immediately thereafter drew this diagram on the board:
"Because I am Catholic, I believe that human beings have a deep obligation to search for truth." Then, continuing on moments later he stated, "God is truth, so anyone searching for truth is trying to find God. God is love."
Diagram:
Humility & Love ---> Truth --->Justice--->Peace
He says that humility and love lead to truth. And truth (if you are paying attention here), as he said above is "God." Thus part of the lesson today was to tell the kids in the class that God is the only vehicle that can take us to justice and peace.
It gets worse.
Next he told us that the majority of Americans think that there should NEVER be an abortion, under any circumstance, once the baby's heart starts to beat. He continued on to say that there should be no debate over when life begins because "science has said for 100 years that life begins at conception."
It gets worse.
He then clearly ignored any instruction on logic or logical fallacies as he applied a slippery slope argument, while lecturing to the class of 45 students, to say that same-sex marriage is something that we can not allow. Continuing further, he likened same-sex marriage to that of polygamy and even a incestuous and potentially pedophilia-centered marriage between a father and his own daughter.
In an ominous tone, he asked the class if they truly wanted polygamy, incest and pedophilia, because that's what they would get if they were in favor of same-sex marriages.
For those of you who don't know me. I am openly homosexual. I have been in a relationship for almost 1 year. We plan on moving and getting married. And my heart almost exploded when he said this.
I tried to calm down. I raised my hand and said, "I have to disagree with you because what you just used to make your point was a slippery slope which, in a philosophy of logic course, is considered a logical fallacy. So I have to say that I disagree." What I really wanted to do was either walk out, or just punch the man in the face.
He essentially ignored what I said and continued on telling the class that he was right. I stopped listening to him for the rest of class. I should have walked out.
Darn, dude. I can't believe this teacher of yours. I'd be angry too, and I'm straight! Does this teacher know he's not supposed to be a complete idiot?
I used to get annoyed with teachers who skirted around their own opinions in order to not sway students, whether it be politics, religion, or whatever topic it is. I seriously don't think this teacher is right, and after a point it might be time to report this teacher. Or, if your college does those end-of-the-semester teacher evaluations, make it known on that how bad of a teacher he is.
But seriously, polygamy and incest and pediphilia? That's nutsy.
*~*~*~*~
I need some more input from y'all here in this forum topic: A ProgressiveU Radio Show/Podcast
I think this is an idea that can improve the ProgressiveU community and add a new dimension to t
Religion is just one of many institution that oppress people they don't like or disagree with. You have a stupid professor. Stupid is incurable so it not really your professor fault.
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin
If so, you might want to turn to them to find out if there is a history of problems with this professor. Heck, if this guy is as bad as you make him sound, perhaps a weekly student protest against this guy would bring attention to his bigotry. There are also likely to be openly gay members of the teaching staff. Ask around and approach them for advice. You might also want to consider going to the Dean of the Department, and report this guy for his offensive behavior and factually inaccurate lessons. I would also withdraw from the class (if its not too late) before you run the risk of having your grades ruined by this whackadoodle fundamentalist.
TTFN,
Blackout
---
A question of love.
---
Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
Therewenttheworld, on the off chance you don't know, the main office is in the Union on the ground floor, next to the market.
I second going to the Dean. Not only does UWM strive to provide a welcome and friendly environment to everyone, they also tend frown on people making them look bad and potentially making them lose students, especially now that funding is low and they need all the students they can get.
"What a crazy random happenstance!"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Read my Blog!
Immediately after my class yesterday I did go to the GLBT Center and report what he did.
They said they will be getting back to me.
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.
Who knows how many people have suffered his ignorant comments and weren't brave enough to stop him from doing so? You're definitely brave, buddy. Kudos to you.
*~*~*~*~
I need some more input from y'all here in this forum topic: A ProgressiveU Radio Show/Podcast
I think this is an idea that can improve the ProgressiveU community and add a new dimension to t
If this class is a journalism course, shouldn't he be teaching you how to write about religion in an objective way? Maybe reviewing the history of religious control over the media, and the relationship between religion and the media throughout the world? You are just paying tuition to go to church. You are not getting your money's worth. If he passes an offering basket around during the service... I mean, class...you should storm out.
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I will keep that in mind.
:)
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.
Out of curiosity, if you're atheist, then why are you taking a class about religion? In addition, if you don't feel you're learning anything, why don't you get out of that class?
RESPECT LIFE
SMILE EVERY DAY
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
The class isn't about preaching religion. It is a Journalism and Mass Communications course. With the title being Religion, Media & Culture. We are supposed to be talking about the role of religion in the media and culture, instead he is preaching to the class as though he has a moral superiority and authority.
Also, this is my final semester and this class was the only one that sounded interesting and fit my schedule. Just because I am atheist most-certainly does not mean that I'm not allowed to learn about how religion interacts with the the field in which I will be seeking a job within in just 4 short months. Additionally, I am not the only atheist in the class.
As for not leaving the class. Why should I have to go through the trouble of dropping the course and trying to find another one that fits the requirements to graduate and my schedule?
Also, I am not one to sit back or just give up and let a professor indoctrinate students that range from age 18 and up. Some of these kids may have never though about these issues in-depth and they deserve an education, not an indoctrination. I will stick it out and try my hardest to get an A. I will also be polite and raise my hand and respectfully disagree and question his preaching.
Why do you think I should drop the class?
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.
...for standing up for yourself and your beliefs. I had a similar situation when I was in school (many, many years ago). I was taking an American Poetry survey class, and the subject of Emily Dickinson's sexuality came up. The teacher denied the theory quite vehemently, and said that the idea had no merit (though even our textbook mentioned the theory in passing). I an another student challenged her, and were told to "drop it" and that "we won't be discussing THAT in this class." Strangely enough, our grades went from A's to D's in the class, beginning on our next exam. Fortunately for us, there was an openly gay professor with tenure in the English Department (a real rarity in those days), who went to bat with us with the Dean, who personally re-graded our tests and reprimanded the teacher. The only downside was that I ended up with a B on the exam...my only B in English during my college career. Oh, well...
TTFN,
Blackout
---
A question of love.
---
Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
obviously i don't know you, but if i was in this position then i would just flat out go up to him after class and let him know that i was gay. this could be risky but sometimes people just dont realize that they are offending people because they dont know who in their company may fall into the category they are insulting.
but then again with this guy i dont know if there is any room for change or understanding. good luck.
Cause im a BA
-Jen
I don't think he cares if there are gay students in his class or not.
Obviously he decides to say whatever he wants and make it sound like its the ONLY acceptable answer.
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.
Well it appears that the next step in the process is for me to talk to him about what is taking place. If he continues to be this way, then we move on to administrative recourse. This is what the LGBT center says.
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.
...I would suggest finding a trusted faculty member to talk to first. There's less of a chance that the guy could retaliate against you if there one of his professional peers is aware of the problem and knows that you intend to talk to the guy about it.
TTFN,
Blackout
---
A question of love.
---
Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
The LGBT center made the Dean of Students aware of the fact that I was going to talk to him and they said that it would be a good first step.
I talked to him. He wouldn't make eye-contact and he kept his eyes closed a lot while turning his head way to his right... it was awkward at best.
He didn't apologize, and he stuck to the idea that if you allow same-sex marriage, you have to allow these other things eventually.
Yikes.
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.
...is to never let it pass if he brings the subject up in class. Whenever he says something that isn't true or isn't supportable, confront him. You have to be prepared with well-sourced information, and you need to stay cool and calm when you talk to him, but there's no reason to let the guy sit up there are bash you, unchallenged. I would also suggest getting a micro-recorder to keep in your pocket and record his lectures every day. It's amazing how quickly a simple recording can sometimes put an end to bullshit like this.
TTFN,
Blackout
---
A question of love.
---
Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
The micro recorder is a great idea. It could also com in handy if he tries to punish you when grades are due. If you have a recording of every class discussion in which you disagreed, other faculty could decide if you were doing your scholarly duty or being the piss ant he will surely paint you to be. It wouldn't be your word against his; it would be his words played for all his colleagues. Colleagues at a state school, I might add.
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I will probably go purchase one this week.
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.