What would your argument be against my Atheist teacher's statement?

Question

My history teacher is always starting arguments about different things, but this time he took a stand against fundamentalism (if that is the correct word). We were studying the Scopes Trail, and after watching some movie, he started asking us pretty personal questions. We would give pretty good answers, but then he came up with "If the Bible is literal, then what is a preacher for?" We stated they are the same as a teacher, although there is a text book, the teacher should still teach (this is funny because he rarely actually teaches). What would you have said?

No, I've had him for three years now and I know he is an atheist, since we have talked about it. He used to be pentecostal (sorry, no spell check for that word), but I don't know what went wrong, and when he decided to become an atheist.
He does argue with us a lot, just to make us think, just like someone said, so I guess I should give him some credit.

I don't have a problem sticking up for my beliefs, even if it is in school, but I just wanted to know another person's view, since I thought that our answer wasn't very solid.

No, he has flat out told us he is an Atheist.

Answer 1

To expound on what the Bible teaches and to clarify what we may miss out of it. Sometimes, another pair of eyes are helpful for us to understand what is being, especially the Bible in its Old English. Very good response though, I would have answered the same way!

Answer 2

Question...is the Bible literal? Bravo for taking a stance against fundamentalism, but not in public capacity as teacher. Any teacher that gets you to think about what you're thinking about is a good teacher. Unfortunately, most curricula wind up ossified, either in school or church.

Insight and knowledge are always renewable. After all, speech has a component known to linguists as infinite nonreplicability...this means that language has a capacity to express all thought. When applied to his argument about literatlism, it creates a paradox, as NOTHING can be literal because of the limitations of language.

Applied to faith, this means that there is no form of human expression, save love, than can convey full meaning. Love, thus is freedom and limitation, because no human being loves the same as another human being.

His is a simple circular syllogism, and thus can remain a question only.

Answer 3

In high school, I would have probably applauded him.

Nowadays, I would probably remind him (politely, after class) that the classroom is not his personal pulpit. The man is being paid to teach history, and his students have a right to expect an education on history, not his personal arguments on the veracity of anyone's religious beliefs.

It is acceptable and even admirable for teachers to stimulate argument and discussion in class. Doing so challenges students' assumptions, exposes alternative concepts, and teaches students how to learn for themselves. This doesn't sound like the case here.

Quite frankly, the literalness of the bible has nothing to do with the Scopes trial. That case was about a government's right to punish someone for religious reasons. The scene in the movie where Clarence Darrow makes William Jennings Bryant look like a fool for his literal interpretation of the bible is fiction. Bryant did not interpret the bible literally, and never claimed to. Your history teacher should know that.

In short, religion doesn't belong in the classroom, but neither do politics.

Answer 4

That was actually quite a brilliant question on the part of your teacher.

You say your teacher rarely teaches. I think you're wrong. I think your teacher works the same way many teachers (like myself) do - they pose questions that challenge your beliefs. The whole point of education is to create independent thinkers.

You teacher wants you to examine your beliefs from a logical and intelligent point of view. This threatens you. Rather than feeling fearful when someone questions your faith, perhaps you should think about what they've said and not dismiss it outright.

You've probably been told all your life that this is true or that is true, and probably it's true because "the Bible says so." Allow yourself to consider for a moment that perhaps the Bible is wrong. I promise, it won't hurt you to question your faith. The way people grow in faith is by asking such questions; they can help you strengthen and clarify your beliefs. And don't be afraid to abandon beliefs that you later realize are just wrong.

Having said all this, I think your answer to the teacher was pretty good.

I'd like to also add one thing about fundamentalism - make no mistake, it IS a great danger to civilization in general. It truly is. Remember, it was fundamentalists who got us on 9/11. It doesn't matter what religion a fundamentalist comes from - any time you have a group of people who are willing to die and kill for their beliefs, you've got a real problem. Islamic or Christian, fundies are THE worst threat to humankind at this point in history.

Answer 5

stand for what u beleive in. tell him you do not apreciate people belittling your beliefs and have your parents back you up.ive actually had that problem when i was in college that a religion teacher did little to no teaching and just gave his pointless ideas about god and church. he said basically there is no god. there is a reason why it is said to build up your spiritual armour. you could do that by reading your scriptures daily personally and with a companion study too.pray daily it helps.
i wouldnt even have told him anything personal at all. i would have said instead i would like to invite a person or elder of the church to do any kind of question answer type of deal.
like if your mormon ask the missionaries or someone in a high calling of the church to ask deep questions that your not prepared to answer.
im sure whatever church you belong to would have no problem giving accurate info on god and church religion and etc.athiest people tend to be extreme in pushing people into what they beleive in.beleive me i have people in my family who are in other churches or athiest.. whatever they r some will not respect you no matter what u do or say.. in some cases you need to remove yourself from those types of behaviors or pattens.
if he keeps it up ask your parents to make arrangments to switch to another history class.ignorance and abusive behavior should not be tolerated at all.

Answer 6

"We stated they are the same as a teacher, although there is a text book, the teacher should still teach (this is funny because he rarely actually teaches)."


Sounds to me that he has been teaching you, to think for yourself.

Also can't tell if he is an atheist, maybe he is liberal Christian who takes what the Bible says symbolically.

Fundamentalism is scary, take a look into how things are in the middle east, it doesn't matter what religion it is fundamentalists only believe in what their book says and are unwilling to change with the times.

Answer 7

A preacher is: a teacher, adviser/counselor, mentor, a leader, a Sheppard, a support, a fisher of men, lover of God...
Your answer was very well put. And I agree with previous posters, his inquiry allowed for debate, thinking, and unity.

Answer 8

I would have said: The preacher is there for those lazy or illiterate Xians (Who seem to be the majority) who don't bother to actually read their own holy book, despite claiming it's the word of god.
OR the preacher is there for those that DO read the book and realize all the horrors and contradictions. It's the preacher's job to lie...pardon me, to put a positive spin on the obvious harmful aspects of their bible.

p.s. Your teacher rocks for taking a stand against the Fundies. Nothing good can come from Fundies and their warped beliefs.

Answer 9

I think it is highly inn appropriate fro him to be even speaking these views to his students. If Christianity cannot be taught in school then atheism should not be taught either.
I know I would as a parent make certain he knew exactly how I felt about his teachings.
You did answer well.

Answer 10

If he's teaching based on a dictated curriculum, that's one thing, but if he's getting personal with his students and forcing them to justify their own personal religious views, then I'd go over his head and file a complaint.

You don't need to justify your own beliefs about God to any of your teachers, regardless as to what they are.