The book for next semester's english class is the Bible. What do I do?

Question

I'm taking an english class next semester at a part-time college, but the book we're going to be using is the Bible, or the modern revised Bible. (it's not a religious or spiritual class, just a writing/composition class). The problem is that i'm not christian. I know we're going to have to write papers about stuff from the book. And since i'm not christian, i have no clue about anything do to with the Bible. 1st of all, is it right for a teacher to make the book the Bible (i'm not concerned, just curious for your opinions) and 2nd, What should I do? How am i going to pass the class?

i'm not saying i'm upset that she chose the bible, i was more asking on how to go about doing good in the class. plus, i've tried starting in on the book, but i can't seem to undertstand it

thanks for all the great feedback so far, i guess i'll just view it as an assigment and to just finish the assigment. thanks!

Answer 1

Buy the Bible and do the work assigned.

It's not like she's forcing you to convert. In acadamia, you are to approach everything with an open mind. Besides, even if you don't subscribe to christianity, you will now have a knowlegdge of the religion and be able to explain why you don't believe in an intellectual manner. If I had a chance to learn about another religion I would just for interest sake. Knowledge is a wonderful and powerful thing to have.

Answer 2

It's perfectly fine for a teacher to choose the Bible as long as she doesn't preach about it. If you look at it objectively, it's just another significant piece of writing. Same as Shakespear, Dickens, etc. All of which many students have complained about them being hard to understand.

So, if you've read it and had problems understanding it, they make Cliff Notes for the Bible. Buy those. Or, check out a children version of the Bible. Especially those that tell the stories with pictures. Makes it much easier to understand, altho you're prolly going to have to still read it and try and use the words to finish whatever assignments are given.

I'd really get the Cliff Notes if you really are confused. The Bible's not meant to be hard to understand. You can get differing opinions as to what a certain sentence means. Like if there is a deeper meaning or if a certain sentence is an analogy or something, but most English teachers ask you that about any book they assign. But, the basic story should be easy enough to understand.

Answer 3

The teacher is perfectly allowed to make the book for class the Bible. It is a book. Not only is it a book, but it is the recognized history of a group of individuals, making it a very important piece of literature. Reading the Bible, the individual can learn what symbolism was important to individuals of the time, what social mores were allowable, and what the general history (in its later books) was as percieved by its authors.

If you know nothing about the Bible, you might actually do well because you will come in wih no preconcieved notions or biases.

As an athiest, I stand by that religion should release its control on politics (and vice-versa). Religious objects should also not carry such a powerful stigma to those not in said religion. By recognizing your aversion, you are supplying legitimate power to any who are religious. Here, your prof is not attempting to convert you. Instead, s/he has simply provided a book.

So deal with it.

Answer 4

The Bible, not an original work in English, is quite a stretch if your teacher was seriously trying to find a book that showed great English writing skill. I suspect the teacher was actually hoping to worm his/her religious dogma into the class. I am sure this would make an interesting Supreme Court case of separation of church and state. Unless this is a church-related college, this type of curriculum choice is totally bogus and is obviously meant to slide the teacher's religious beliefs into the discussion. If you don't want to object to the dean of the department and perhaps even take it to the Board of Regents, you are stuck with it. You could drop the course and wait for an unbiased teacher to offer the course later but that's your decision.

Answer 5

I've taken English classes where the main source of material was Shakespeare. I knew nothing about Shakespeare, and yet I passed the class. I wouldn't worry about it. As to whether it's right or whatever - well, unless the teacher is flying in the face of the schools rules, then clearly it's not a problem from the school's perspective. Regardless, the teacher may well have chosen the Bible because aside from being a religious text, it is a top notch literary text, full of drama, suspense, narrative, poetry, etc. Just chill.

Answer 6

Well, start by doing the assignments which will probably include reading the passages you will be required to write about. Work closely with your professor and explain your disadvantage, and look at it as an opportunity to learn about a culture other than your own. The Bible is the #1 selling book EVER, so it kinda makes sense. I wonder if the fundamentalist Christians in the class will be capable of putting aside their biases about the Bible and analyze it purely as a work of literature. Will anyone for that matter? Perhaps the teacher chose it as an exercise in putting aside personal beliefs in order to look at something analytically and objectively.

Answer 7

Since it's an English class, I'm supposing you're going to be reading it as a fictional work, not as a spiritual work. That's what college is about: opening you up to stuff you might not expose yourself to voluntarily. Buy the book, read the assignments, write the papers and I'm sure you'll be ok. It's just a book. If you feel threatened by it, perhaps you're not as much of an unbeliever as you think?

Answer 8

For one it will save you a lot of money because most books in college are expensive but I am pretty sure you or someone you know have a bible lying around the house so you have just saved a fortune. Second I don't think she will actually be observing the religious aspect of the bible just the grammatic aspect like how they use cometh upon me opposed to come upon me. You have nothing to worry about. I believe it would be more of an interseting experience than a frightening one.

Answer 9

I guess u could just consider it just studying another religion. Getting to know what other people believe. I'm a Christian and I've studied the Koran and Buddhism, and I didn't believe in it. I just took it as reading another book. Just study the Bible like u would any other textbook. I'm sure u will pass. I mean u didn't really know about physics or calculus before u took it, and u had to learn and study it so I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 10

i don't think it's necessarily right for your teacher to choose the bible as a piece of literature for a public college class, but it is their choice as long as they are abiding by the rules the college has set. look at it this way: christian or not, the bible is still a great piece of literature. it has stories with action, parables, lyrical poetry, etc. i am not a christian, and i've read the bible cover to cover several times just for pure enjoyment (and yes, i did read it once just to try and disprove christian theory!). bottom line is, this is the book your teacher has chosen and if you don't want to be in misery all semester, look at it objectively. it's just a book, like any other book. think of it as a book of short stories. enjoy, and good luck!