posted
Here's the thing...If Star Trek were to do an episode where Yahweh turned out to be an alien, as TSN said, I may not believe it, but would I be offended or up in arms about it? Of course not. It's a TV show. It's fiction.
It's be like getting offended because Star Trek presents evolution as fact. I don't believe that it is, but I'm not going to make a stink about it. It's a story. Suspend disbelief for an hour.
posted
What is more important is the manner in which such a depiction is presented. "Deep Space Nine," in general, handled the topic the right way, in my opinion. Sisko did not go around belittling Bajorans or ordering Kira to worship him ("I am a divinity to you, am I not? Now kneel!"). He respected their beliefs, and, by all accounts, their beliefs were "real;" they manifested before our eyes, even if the beliefs could be explained by 24th century science. Such a depiction is much better than a crew meeting (the Christian) "God," who turns out to be a second-rate alien, and trading barbs ("Why did you order people to worship you?" "Why did you expel humankind from Paradise?") that have more to do with 14th century beliefs than 20th century beliefs, let alone those of the 24th century, with him. (Whew! What a run-on sentence).
Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
posted
I am the Bearer of Truth. We librarians know everything. You just have to ask nicely.
Incidentally, a syntactical readig of the 1st Commandment "Thou shalt nave no other Gods before Me," suggests that the original YHWH acknowledged the existence of other deities, and permitted their worship, as long as He was placed in a preeminent position. This could be seen as a 'step up' from Pantheons run by Head Gods like Zeus and Jupiter.
Why did Kenner's POTF2 Star Wars line include an R5-D4 with a launching missile ... ? They couldn't have just given us a cool astromech droid, they had to have it split in two and fire a rocket? I mean, what the hell ... ?
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: Malnurtured Snay ]
quote:Originally posted by First of Two: Incidentally, a syntactical readig of the 1st Commandment "Thou shalt nave no other Gods before Me," suggests that the original YHWH acknowledged the existence of other deities, and permitted their worship, as long as He was placed in a preeminent position. This could be seen as a 'step up' from Pantheons run by Head Gods like Zeus and Jupiter.
Believe it or not, they teach this in Catholic schools (as opposed to teaching "worship the one God or die," which some seem to think is taught).
posted
Maybe I slept through "religion", but I don't recall them teaching that. Of course, its been many many many years. I may have forgotten. (I was raised Roman Catholic and went to a private school grades 1 - 6 ... ick!)
posted
Well, I do not think the Bible would be studied that in-depth in grades 1-6. I learned what you mentioned in a Biblical course at a Catholic university.
Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
Cartman
just made by the Presbyterian Church
Member # 256
posted
That's probably because each school (or rather, the teacher(-s)) interprets the bible in a different way.
Teaching religion, by the way, could be interpreted as 'forcefully imposing beliefs upon others'. I object very strongly to this. Imposing one's convictions upon others should not be allowed in a truly free, democratic society. The decision to practice religion is a personal one, and nobody elses' choice to make.
Cartman
just made by the Presbyterian Church
Member # 256
posted
Nine out of ten times, it isn't an elective.
"So pick a different (i.e. non-catholic, non-islamic, non-whatever) school", you'll say. Only one slight problem there: what if there is no such school or university within a 1000-mile radius? That limits the available options a bit, don't you think?
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: Mojo Jojo ]
-------------------- ".mirrorS arE morE fuN thaN televisioN" - TEH PNIK FLAMIGNO
Registered: Nov 1999
| IP: Logged
posted
Catholic schools have as much right to "force" students (who freely choose to go there; if they have no other option, but feel very strongly about the issue, they can either sacrifice their education to uphold their values, or they can choose to go to the school) to attend religion classes as secular schools have to "force" students to attend classes that "indoctrinate" atheistic, humanistic, and/or secular beliefs. Besides, a college-level religion course, regardless of the religion, is usually educational and interesting. And unless one attends Bob Jones, a theology professor will not try to "force" anything.
If that question was directed at me, no, I did not go to CU; wrong coast.
(Also, except perhaps for some Eskimo villages in Alaska, I know of no place in the United States where one is more than 1000 miles away from the second-closest university.)
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: Raw Cadet ]
Cartman
just made by the Presbyterian Church
Member # 256
posted
quote:if they have no other option, but feel very strongly about the issue, they can either sacrifice their education to uphold their values, or they can choose to go to the school
Not good enough, IMO. Everyone should have the right to an education conforming to (and regardless of) personal beliefs - whatever those may be - without being forced to sacrifice ANYTHING.
-------------------- ".mirrorS arE morE fuN thaN televisioN" - TEH PNIK FLAMIGNO
posted
Well, then, they can choose a different school. Every state operates at least one University, thus, every potential student is within a few hundred miles of an institution of education.
Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
Cartman
just made by the Presbyterian Church
Member # 256
posted
I'm not talking about universities, but about primary- & high schools.
-------------------- ".mirrorS arE morE fuN thaN televisioN" - TEH PNIK FLAMIGNO
Registered: Nov 1999
| IP: Logged
posted
There is always the vaunted public education system.
Once again, I know of no Catholic schools that "force" students to accept its beliefs. Indeed, if a teacher did that, one could probably have her/him removed. However, I see no harm in exposing students of all faiths (or lack of) to what the Church believes, especially when it has been charged to do so by what it believes to be the almighty. (Likewise, I think Catholics can learn from exposing themselves to information on other religions).
Topic Closed
Printer-friendly view of this topic