What do I do about an insensitive professor?

Question

I have a professor. He is really a goof professor, but he has something against Christians, particularly Catholics. I've had teachers like this before. I usually just let them spill their hearts out and avoid confrontation; however, this teacher actually will ask students specifically, for instance he’ll ask: "Johnny, are you a Christian." Then he will define what a Christian is, and if Johnny disagrees then he says: "You are not really a Christian you just have never questioned what you were told to believe.” Now I really don't mind if a professor doesn’t like a political party, religion, and so on, but I do have a problem when one gets personal. He told one student that he really doesn't worship God, but only the God of himself. Whether one believes it is true or not is irrelevant. I would not mind if he had said: “people in general only….” It bothers me that he gets personal. The other day I think he noticed my cross, and I’m afraid he might have it out for me. I’m pretty soft spoken, and I’ve only gotten A’s from him. I don’t want to rock the boat. I just want to know the proper way to deal with this without making a big deal of it.
Additional Details

One friend told me to just deny being Christian, but I don't want to lie or think I should have to. Any advice?

Sorry, I meant he is generally a "good" professor not "goof."

I don't want him fired . I just want to finnish this one class because I'm transfering from junior college to a UC school this fall. I don't want to rock the boat because a lot of students like him.
By the way, this is a British Lit. class.

I'm not worried about my marks changing, I'm worried about being humiliated in class. I'm sure he would not do that!

by that I mean change my grade.

Answer 1

What does this professor teach? If it's related to religion, he has a lot of leeway - he's just discussing religion, after all. If he's, say, an economics professor, however, he shouldn't even be asking you about it. Either way, you're in a difficult spot because he is the one in charge. If you talk back to him, you run the risk of getting a lower grade. If you complain about him to the administration, it will be your word against his.

If he does ask you about your faith, your best bet would be to respectfully decline to answer. This is not denying your faith, it's protecting your rights. Same something like, "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs." If he presses, try to redirect the conversation WITHOUT making him look bad. Ask a question relating to the discussion, but not involving your (or his) personal beliefs. Do not confront him unless it starts to affect your ability to do the work. If you do confront him, do it outside of the classroom, and be polite.

If he really does discriminate - give you poor grades, or make you do extra work - then you need to document everything as objectively as possible and speak to the chair of his department. If he is the chair, speak with the dean.

Answer 2

Hi there!!

You are right, you should't lie about who you are. Will he accept a question back? Such as asking him about his beliefs and commenting on how great they sound and that you one day hope to aspire to be the best you can at your faith. Maybe ask his advice on what he feels you can do to improve what you already know? You don't need to take heed of his info... sort through it and just take what is useful to you... maybe he'll say something that may make sense.When he says things like "you're not really a christian..." What about if you replied to him agreeing that you're not perfect but every day you learn something new and hopefully one day it will come together and hopefully at least 2/3rds of it will make sense.
Or word to that effect...ones that suit you.
These are just some ideas... I have delt with a few people who have similar personalities and it's not easy...you are doing really well staying put and continuing the class. I would have asked to transfer by now.
I hope you succeed in sorting your problem... good luck!!
Jo

Answer 3

No! You should not deny your faith. But perhaps your best defense is to keep a low profile. This isn't the same as denying Christ; it's just a way to stay off your prof's radar so you can pass successfully. I had at least a few profs like this in college; and that's exactly what I did. (Of course, I'm a quiet person anyway.)

You might consider going to the Dean of Students (or another equally higher official), as he/she is responsible for maintaining fair treatment in the classroom. Your prof's behavior is uncalled for, despite the subject matter of the class. Concerning the Dean, you can approach him/her confidentially and state your grievance. This will be to the benefit of future students.

He, more than likely, cannot be fired; but his actions could be corrected or he could be enlightened to the fact that his actions border (and cross the line) of violating of students' religious rights. The Dean would do this through either direct correspondence or by requiring your prof's department to address students' rights (including religious) within the classroom.

I really, really feel for you; hope you can straighten this mess out. And, yes, praying for your prof can't hurt!

Cheers!! :)

Answer 4

In your description of the problem, you mention he singles students out and appears to get personal and in their face about their beliefs.

Not once did you mention, that his behaviour can alter the marks that they get, and that these student's are now all of a sudden doing poorly in his class.

So why should your marks change because he might have noticed you are Christian. Unless that has happened to a previous student, I do not see the actual connection here?

Can you elaborate? You elaborated .. but one statement says he won't change your marks .. the other one says he will change your grade.. . is their a difference between marks and grade?

Either way, stay true to who you are.. never deny what or who you believe in... But like it was said before .. just inform him that your personal beliefs are your own, and are not relevant to the class, and just move on.

Answer 5

This is something that should be taken up with his superiors as it doesnt sound like he is trying to teach anything, but is only making judgement about a particular person. Definitely do not deny being a Christian. It would be best to report him, then if he discovers you are a christian and begins to give you lower marks you will have a leg to stand on when making a complaint about it.

Answer 6

Is this college? Does the course have anything to do whatsoever with religion? If not, I suggest going to the chair of the department and bringing up the issue. Tell the chair that you will to remain anonymous, but that you are growing increasingly uncomfortable with the professor's commentary. I know it sounds like you're making "a big deal of it," but this is highly innappropriate behavior.

Answer 7

Back in college I had one of the God is dead professors who really meant it. His theory was God is Love, Love is dead, therefore God is dead. To those of us in his "religion" class we had similar issues.. he did get personal. As the semester wore on, I found he actually had a lot of concern and care for his students - he really "loved" teaching he really wanted to influence those students even with ridicule on occassion. I asked him about mid semester. if he cared about those students as people. His answer was "of course I do, people are what life is about". all I said was "Guess God isn't as dead as you want him to be." He just looked at me for a few minutes with a slightly confused look and then just shrugged. I made a good grade even if I didn't make any points. I didn't change his mind, he didn't change mine.

God sometimes presents challenges to help us learn, some are more difficult to deal with than others, but dont think for one minute He isn't there with you. Trust yourself, your faith is personal to you just let it be your guide. God Bless and keep the faith, pray for the prof. he's only there for a short time.

Answer 8

Never deny your faith dear one. Jesus said that we who declare Him before men - He will declare as His before the Father.

Matthew 10:32 "Those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for them before my Father in heaven."

If you feel attacked for your beliefs or that your grades are threatend - you may need to take it to the next level. Speak with the head of his department or with a Dean of Students and voice your concerns.

If you do it while your grades are listed as good - your voice will have more weight.

What is the subject matter of the course? Religion? Philosophy? Then his challenges my be appropriate for the course. It would be inappropriate for A Math, Science or a History course.

Study the word daily - and remain lifting the Professor up in prayer. Make sure you know verses involving Salvation and Conversion.

Stay Strong hon.

Peace.

Answer 9

You don't have to deny being a christian. Just tell the professor, if he confronts you, that you would prefer that he leave your religion out of it. Be nice but firm about it. If he makes any kind of threat then talk to the Dean.

He may simply be trying to get people to really think about their religion but I think he is going about it the wrong way.

Answer 10

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do...some profs think they are untouchable and can say and do whatever the *f* they want to....and if tenured they pretty much can...if this is a class you MUST have, then I would suggest staying out of his way....it will be over with soon enough and you can leave him in the dust...good luck. I've run into this before...but from a different perspective...I'm an atheist.