paintingarevolution:

Yesterday in our Values class, I had the most repulsive experience in college.

Our regular professor was out so we had a substitute. The lesson for that day were about different personalities. He showed us a diagram:

1. Wise - someone who is god-fearing and is able to recognize mistakes.
2. Foolish - someone who doesn’t love god or someone who denies him and his orders.
3. Mocker - someone who rebels against god and mocks him.

“What the hell?!” were the words that popped into my mind almost simultaneously. I was enraged but I tried to keep my composure. I then raised my hand and spoke out of my critical concerns about what is being presented here. 

“Sir, this gives a wrong.. and a misleading implication that people of all classes and diversities share one belief (which is Christianity, as it is being implied here), and that being wise require this said belief? Or that someone who belongs to other religion or even someone who doesn’t have one is either foolish or a mocker?

With all due respect, the whole world does not share one religious belief, and certainly not everyone is a Christian!”

He then, replied, and tried to explain and defend the current predicament at hand.

“What’s your name? Kevin, right? You have a very good point. But just let me ask you, out of my curiosity, what is your religion?”

“I don’t have one. I’m an atheist.”

“AH, atheist. please explain to us what atheism is. Share it to the class.”

I then, went on explaining *ahem* lecturing them about atheism, morality, diversity of religion, views, and philosophies. 

He then went on saying, “Yes, okay. We understand that. But you still have to participate in this class. You have to understand that Values came from ‘God’. He is the root of it all. And we are defining personalities according to biblical terms and definitions.”

“You mean, stereotyping people according to your ignorant, bigoted chauvinistic views?”

Okay, I didn’t actually say that, but that was what I wanted to say. I wanted to walk out of that class immediately after hearing him talk about values coming from his self-righteous god.

I then explained to him, once more, that morality is autonomous from religion. You cannot claim your religion to be the highest and supreme authority over other people’s morality and/or agenda, or whatever. But to my dismay, he only explained that the curriculum assumes everyone in that class to be Christians. Last time I checked, I was NOT in a Christian school! I question the education system in this country. How could something devious like this pass?!

I deem that professor to be ignorant and incompetent. I don’t care about the degrees. With that mindset and reasoning, I could give a better lecture on Values Ed. Without the religious bigotry! Or even any sort of one.

I do not attack the personal beliefs and faith. What I am critical of is their ignorant views towards others, stereotyping, and their flawed education.

I mean, the flaws are staring at him right in the face! He just said so that the curriculum assumes all of the pupils belong to the same religion as a collective!

If it wasn’t for a friend of mine who is seated right next to me and kept my cool, I would’ve gone and walked out of that class. I feel offended and disgusted by such display. To make it even worse, he was preaching respect for diversities after hearing me out, yet he, in the end, spurted out the most offensive thing you can say to a non-religious person. “I will pray for you. That you may find your way to the light.”    —As if I was of a lesser being even if you say it in terms of spirituality! I do not need saving, and I am NOT lost. I should have reacted to that, but to keep things cool, my friend there reminded me to keep my composure. 

You do not have respect. And you don’t deserve my respect. But I will not disrespect you. Because I know better.