And that is why we keep teaching. It isn't for the little snots that we keep teaching. It is for those kids that "get it". Those kids that take what we give them and run with it. It is my highest joy to see my students take the little kernal of knowledge that I have handed them and turn that into something bigger and grander. It give you hope that the world might be okay when this lot gets to be in charge.
For those of us who teach: a reminder of why we do -----
Another student (in the same class) got his grade and sent me a note saying that now that the power differential in our relationship was removed (he is no longer in my class and his grade has been posted) he wanted to know if I would be willing to keep discussing certain questions he had! Of course I said yes and he sent me this -
What I am really curious about, is that society and environment is always changing, and people are adapting to it as well. Before we had this technology, knowledge and science, it was easy to believe in religion because people knew very little and were unaware how evolution works through natural selection-whoever is fitter to adapt will survive. So now since there is so much knowledge; and science proves that inelligent design is not true, I wonder if religion will die out anytime soon, like within a century. Before, humans adapted by being religious, and that helped them stick together and survive. I am curious as to how human culture and mindset will change if more people start to accept religion as fake and the world will turn more atheist. It would be such a big thing since religion was part of all of human history and atheism is on a rise, so its cool and interesting to be a part of such a revolution.
I don't care one whit if he and I ever agree about anything! He is THINKING!!!
For an awesome teacher... again.
and for the student too. He's not the only one who's had this thought, and clearly was afraid even mentioning the topic to you (not knowing your beliefs) while you could destroy his grade... well it's nice to see that now that the pressure's off he's willing to stick that out there. Be better IMO if he was willing to risk offense, really what revolution happens without someone getting offended, but it's a start.
I happen to agree with him myself. The sheer number of people that have been slaughtered in the name of this or that deity, for this one, for that one, cuz that one said so, cuz they want a sacrifice... on and on and on... boggles me really. But, what happens when it's gone? Without hell/purgatory/hades/etc hanging over their heads will the ones who before wouldn't commit a crime now have no reason, but offending fellow humans anyways, not to? Or will folks actually use that whole brain and not harm others just because they want the same respect for themselves? Also, another question... without the complications of religion what effect will this have on population, resources, etc? For thousands of years religion has been a roundabout population control... either through the killing of entire peoples OR through the rigid rules about procreation... without either of those what can we expect in our population? A steady increase since no more sacrifices/wars? A decline in births because BC is no longer banned? Imagine what historians will read 500+ years from now about our time... fascinating.
OMG YOU WERE THERE!!!! You had to have been there! I had that exact conversation the last day of class.
I laughed until I cried.
Wait, maybe I cried until I laughed.
I'm confused. Was this funny?? Or just too true to be so?
This truly just made my day
HeHe! I didn't write it, although I have had that same exact conversation it seems. Sigh.
Someone has made a whole series of these for theatre jobs. They are hysterically funny and oh so true. They are making their way around Facebook right now. I thought you would understand this one.
Quote:
I don't care one whit if he and I ever agree about anything! He is THINKING!!!
For an awesome teacher... again.
and for the student too. He's not the only one who's had this thought, and clearly was afraid even mentioning the topic to you (not knowing your beliefs) while you could destroy his grade... well it's nice to see that now that the pressure's off he's willing to stick that out there. Be better IMO if he was willing to risk offense, really what revolution happens without someone getting offended, but it's a start.
I happen to agree with him myself. The sheer number of people that have been slaughtered in the name of this or that deity, for this one, for that one, cuz that one said so, cuz they want a sacrifice... on and on and on... boggles me really. But, what happens when it's gone? Without hell/purgatory/hades/etc hanging over their heads will the ones who before wouldn't commit a crime now have no reason, but offending fellow humans anyways, not to? Or will folks actually use that whole brain and not harm others just because they want the same respect for themselves? Also, another question... without the complications of religion what effect will this have on population, resources, etc? For thousands of years religion has been a roundabout population control... either through the killing of entire peoples OR through the rigid rules about procreation... without either of those what can we expect in our population? A steady increase since no more sacrifices/wars? A decline in births because BC is no longer banned? Imagine what historians will read 500+ years from now about our time... fascinating.
Oh, I know he was not worried about offending me!!
I tell students in the beginning of the semester that I will offend them! That if we get to Thanksgiving and I have not offended them that they should let me know and I will try harder!
This of course, means they are entirely entitled to offend me as best they can. We are talking about social norms and belief systems so people will have to challenge why they think the things they do. The funny thing about it in class was that he was the most vehement defender of christianity and openly criticized islam knowing full well there were muslim students in the class. He had good valid points and everyone was able to have a legitimate discussion without anyone really getting upset so I counted it as a win/win.
I think he was concerned that I had only heard part of what he was thinking in the class discussion and wanted answers to the rest of his thoughts. Which in truth I cannot give him; because they are philosophical questions about which we can, at best, have reasonable expectations, but no truths. In my answer we discussed Benjamin Barber's Jihad Vs. McWorld book (an awesome read) and the differences between religion and religiosity/spirituality and belief systems.
I try to keep the religion discussion short lived in this class as it was only an Intro class and he dearly wanted to go farther with it and I could not let him.
