And not offend students. Is it ok to feel offended when that happens. Would that be a good reason to complain?
2007-10-05 16:53:34 · 32 answers · asked by lodasky2 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sure, why would a teacher not be allowed to teach atheism? It is open to conversation just as anything else in the academy. If the student does not want to take the course, the student should not take the course. The student is an adult in college, and can make up his own mind about what he is studying. A teacher is allowed to offend students. A student is allowed to feel offended. We have no legal right not to feel offended, nor do we have a legal obligation not to offend others. Information doesn't hurt people, but ignorance does.
2007-10-08 01:46:09 · answer #1 · answered by A Fic Fan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a college professor is allow to teach atheism and the students have the right to be offended but that's not a good reason to complain. College professors enjoy the privilege of academic freedom.
2007-10-05 16:57:47 · answer #2 · answered by millylouise 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the difference between teaching religion and "teaching atheism" ? They are both just belief systems. It seems silly to be offended by such a thing and it is a bit disturbing that you would question whether someone is "allowed" to teach any topic. That is what academic freedom and freedom of speech is all about. In your case do the same thing you would if you saw something objectionable on your TV set: switch channels and go somewhere else.
If you are now going to college you need to mature a bit. Going to college / university is all about exploring new horizons and ideas and if you are going to be offended by every different idea you meet, you are negating your purpose in being there.
2007-10-05 17:07:35 · answer #3 · answered by GCB-TO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't "teach" atheism. It's not a religion or a subject. It's merely a disbelief in any god or gods. Is this professor simply stating that he doesn't believe in god? Is this a religious philosophy course or something? Because if it is, then there's no reason to be offended by that. If this professor is running around trying to convert everyone to atheism, then yes perhaps he's out of line. Otherwise, just let it go.
2007-10-05 19:14:04 · answer #4 · answered by Two quarters & a heart down 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heck, when i was a philosophy major, students argued for the morality of murder. why can't professors teach atheism? You can distinguish fact (about a knowledge base) from value (your belief) and your mind will tolerate lectures on atheism. It is always unintellectual and faux pas, at least in a philosophy class, to discredit any view so if this were a philosophy class all arguments for atheism would be carefully analyzed and counterclaims/arguments as well. In this way, it is a scholastic activity, not an anti-religion sermon.
2007-10-05 17:01:32 · answer #5 · answered by Pansy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A college professor can teach what he likes. As an intelligent adult, the student has the right to accept or reject what is taught.
It is his job to present many viewpoints, but he cannot require you to believe or accept what he presents.
You can choose to feel offended, but you shouldn't. It would be like feeling offended because the history teacher taught about slavery. He has a right to his own opinion, but he cannot force you to accept it. Your grade, for example, can't depend on your accepting his beliefs.
No reason to complain. Atheism is a fact. Learn about it. Doesn't mean you accept it.
2007-10-05 16:59:46 · answer #6 · answered by hope03 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way a teacher would be teaching this is in a philosophy or comparative religions class. These are usually either elective classes or taken be people that want to hear about atheism. This means it's not an issue and, in fact, has not been raised as an issue in the real world.
2007-10-05 17:01:14 · answer #7 · answered by Michael da Man 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there are courses offered in religious studies that address the subject of atheism. I have never seen any course of study that teaches atheism. Atheism is simply a philosophy that rejects the concept of the existence of any form of belief in a god. I seems to me to be a valuable opportunity for everyone to examine their reason for believing . I just don't find it necessary to believe in any god form, or the promise of heaven, or the threat of hell. Religion is the strongest form of social control existing. It is also the richest industry on our earth. The bottom line to almost everything is money. "Please, contribute more when the collection basket is passed", so goes the plea. Maybe not in that succinct of a statement, but the bottom line is money.
2007-10-05 17:05:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't even imagine how that would happen.
I mean if you are in a science class, get over it. Science is science and they are of course going to tell you that Genesis is fantasy. That IS science.
If you are in a Philosophy class, debate is the whole point. So feel free to get your two cents in. The two Philosophy classes I took the professor would switch positions just to take the other side.
Outside that, it probably isn't included in the curriculum. Now if they aren't teaching what they are supposed to be, that might be a reason to see the Dean.
2007-10-05 17:00:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
What in the world do you mean by "teach atheism"?
It would be a very short lesson.
"Class, today I am going to teach you atheism. Atheism is lack of a belief in any god or gods. Class dismissed."
If that offends anyone, they need to crawl back into their bubble.
2007-10-05 17:00:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋