Agnostic.com

31 9

Catholic Class

Still finishing the last leg of secondary education, and I'm stuck at a Catholic school, uniform and everything. I have religion class everyday and have become rather unpopular. Not matter the reason and logic I try to use in spurring honest, thought provoking discussions I'm met with hostility, even from my friends. Is it worth it to continue trying to start discussions and encourage critical thought in my classmates, or just keep quiet and not waste the energy? I've only got till June left of this BS anyway. Opinions?

Catnublia 6 Apr 24
Share

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

31 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

1

The uniform is the only thing they got right. ?

3

Eventually you will learn what fight to pick and what to just tag along....... Live and let die

2

I would only bother continuing with the conversation if I saw some form of thought or reasoning from the other party. If you're only getting a strong negative push back, these may not be the type of people to try and have a reasonable debate with.
Just my two cents.

0

Well, if their haven't been any issues between you and school administration (don't want to have nothing to show for your education), then I'd say you should press the issue in your religion class. I'm betting that your friends and classmates are quite familiar with critical thinking in other areas, but they have been convinced that faith is just as valuable.

I read a great book on this called "A Manual for Creating Atheists," which really digs into how faith should be the target of those debating theism. In the book Peter Boghossian defines faith as "pretending to know something you don't," which helped me place words to my problem with religion.

In school I was taught the importance of critical thinking, and I became an atheist because I realized how I could not value both faith and critical thinking at the same time. They may show hostility to you now, but your fellow students are possibly at the best stage of their lives to begin realizing how flawed their faith is.

Do not get bogged down by debates on morality or the improbability of god or religious events. Every one of their arguments, when teased long enough, will come back to faith, and that is where their whole world-view can be taken apart.

However it goes I wish you well, I understand how weaselly Catholic apologetics can be.

I'll see about adding it to my library, but I've got a pile of books I need to finish first ? but I keep buying new books so it just gets bigger

@Catnublia I'm really enjoying Audible as resource for getting through books quickly, and the author of the book I suggested did a great job narrating for Audible's copy of his audiobook. It's worth checking out if you find your ears free during the day.

2

Don't waste your energy. It won't matter. Finish your time and move on. Find some friends with open minds and see the world.

0

Catherine, finish up yer education, get to uni and start a new life. You'll make new friends and a new life. Be brave x

1

let it lay. if you've planted seeds of doubt, that is all you could do anyway. do the time. college plans?

Hoping to study astrophysics and space sciences, and travel the world in between. I need a broader sphere than just the comfortable small town I've grown up in

@Catnublia I expect you're going to be amazed by how big and how small it really is. the old college advisor in me wants to tell you to take a good look around. I know you think you have, but this is your last chance to kind of see it this way, for better or worse.

4

Just keep the peace until you’re able to move on and broaden your horizon with new people. Religious people tend to be the same as political people. No matter how thought out your response, no matter what facts you have on your side, you aren’t going to change other people’s minds.

However, the way I discovered to keep friends and believe what I want is to just avoid the topic all together. I know you have a class specifically about religion, but just keep your head down until it’s over. June isn’t that far away. You’re in a rather difficult place because you’re in a catholic school. Which means thinking the way you do is not only against the social norms, it’s against the majority of the population at your school.

Hang in there. Don’t give up. Just do what you have to do to get by. And if you’re ever forced to memorize a verse of your choice, always go with: John 11:35 ? I’ll let you look it up and see why.

They've asked me why I'm even there, there are public schools available in my area I could have gone to. Is it unreasonableof me to be a bit hurt by that questions, like the teachers don't want me there At the time of choosing high schools to attend my parents (who aren't religious) felt my current school was the best option because they had more resources and better curriculum than the public schools. I won't lie it's felt rather solitary the past 4 years, except for my sister and a few friends I can tell I'm on 'the wrong side. I wouldn't say I'm bulked, far from it. Just don't feel like I fit in too well.

@Catnublia As someone who has never fit in, it’s still possible to make friends. In fact, I was the first “goth” kid when I was in junior high. And I was so far away from what was the norm, it was definitely very isolating. But I started taking care of the other outsiders. The geeks, the nerds, or anyone who wasn’t from a wealthy family or a jock. And I started building a circle of friends.

It’s ok to be an outlier. In a few months, none of that will matter. Those asshole teachers won’t matter. What people say about you simply won't matter. Most of the teachers pandered to the parents of the prep kids and looked down on all the other students. I was unique in the fact that I was so against the grain, but I was smarter than the students the teachers doted on.

A private school, like what you’re in, looks great on transcripts and applications. Your parents made the right choice by giving you your best chance, even though the road is difficult. In just a few weeks, it’ll all be over with. You’ve already made it this far. Just hang in there. And if you need someone to talk to, feel free to message me. Or there is a great community here with people to talk to.

Whatever you enjoy, whether it’s anime, witchcraft, coin collecting, chopping heads off of dolls...There is a community out there that enjoys the same things. Don’t let school be your only social circle. With the internet, the whole world is at your fingertips.

0

In your shoes, I would not have been able to keep quiet. I see you're getting that advise quite often. Hey, you've got a little over a month to go. Squelch if you can, but otherwise let 'er rip. At least you tried. Maybe the seeds of doubt you've sown will sprout someday.

2

You're the only person who knows the answer to that question.
Is it worth it to you?

skado Level 9 Apr 24, 2018
0

Pick your battles. Nothing wrong with kicking against the pricks if they stray into some of the fairly rampantly misogynistic/homophobic territory that dwells within the RC faith, but otherwise keep shtum and bide your time.

0

You're right, you know you are, but they won't listen.
They're not going to change.

Don't lose hope, but don't let the battles drain you.

In a few months you'll be free, and it won't matter.

0

Stay strong, bide your time, and say "adios, motherfuckers!"

1

In a few months you'll be in college; it's a lot easier to have the discussions you desire there.

I wonder if you could start discussions (as you say), but do them in such a way that you are more initiating and moderating, so as to let your friends/classmates argue the sides. This could get the critical thoughts going without you having to be in the line of fire.

Hopefully, but I've got several more months of working in retail and religion class till then

1

Forgive the biblical allusion but you're in the lion's den. It could be worse though. RCs accept old Earth origins and descent of man through evolution. Two things that hold them back are transubstantiation and exorcism. If you don't consider these acceptable foibles then you have to question your being there in the first place. But if you can focus on the common ground you share with your RC peers I think they'll remember you in a better light after you graduate. Then, if you are intent, would be a better time to prosthelytize.

1

I feel your pain.

0

I'd say just stick it out for the last few months, you can't talk logic with those who do not live in reality.

0

No. It's like trying to convince a cow they could walk right through that string fence.
Stick out the next few weeks and walk away smiling.

0

You're in high school?

0

Makes sense that you would be receiving this kind of unwanted attention from those at your school since they're in a...well, religious school! Did your parents place you in there or something? Are your "friends" in the school with you? If so, that would make sense too...I don't know many "non-believers" who attend specific "believer" schools. 😛 I wouldn't waste my time trying to discuss things with people who clearly think differently than you do. Just do your time and get out when your parole date arrives. 😛

My parents aren't religious, nor did they 'force' me into that school. But due to the fact it was better funded and had better curriculum than any public school in the area they made it VERY clear they would prefer I attended the school and ignored the religious part like most non religious kids there do. I was still a kid at the time to I did as my parents asked, and at this point where I'm old enough to transfer myself to a different school, I've got 2 months tille June what's the point?

2

Smile sweetly, diploma in hand and move on ?

1

Illegitimi non Corborundum - Don't let the Bastards Wear You Down

0

Best to continue asking them questions about what they based their beliefs on, who.knows if there might be a few closet free thinkers there?

1

you need to graduate. don’t make waves.

0

Religion has spoken to a hushed audititorium for eons with a mic, even now they hold sway in society.
As a non believer you also have a right to exist and not believe.

I suggest you try a different tack with your classmates.
Try SE

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:65501
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.