Yes. Convert the class and the professor.

Well, I have taken a World Religions class and I actually really enjoyed it! I guess you could say it shed some light on the differences for me. Now, my class wasn't taught by a clergy or priest of any sort, just a regular professor...agnostic too, I believe! So, I don't know if there will be a lot of comparisons (maybe a little biases from the prof) in relation to his religion but it definitely was an interesting class. My fav was the Hindu religion where he talked about the correlation between Indian Jones/Temple of Doom and the real life Thugee cult and Kali Ma and Shiva. Many of the facts were true...Speilberg gets an "A" from me for authenticity. This was back in 1994 so, maybe you can watch the movie and impress the prof a little. LOL

Keep your opinions to yourself in the class if you know what is good for you, or want good grades. Very few ministers who teach world religions won't be biased.

In my opinion, if a religious class is taught by a theist of any strip, it will be biased towards the instructors beliefs. There is no way it could be otherwise.

Ok, you are asking non believers for advice on religion study. Give it a minute...... The one thing I can say is this, learning is always a good thing going forward, for several reasons.

A challenging learning environment can provide as much enlightenment as a challenging curriculum. Be as bold as you dare - the only one grading you will be the instructor.

I took a course in College that included reading the Bible. Ir was taught by an ex-minister and it was the best experience. He read the ancient languages and would translate from more original sources. There is a great difference between what is said in the Bible and what modern day readers think it says. Enjoy your classes and ask questions. You care what the teacher says not what the students think. Remember most of the other students will have a totally different take on the information presented. You are there to learn not agree.

Ask the qestions that need to be asked, but don't be aggressive or openly judgmental in the process.

Question everything. Respectfully, and non-combatively, but question everything.
I questioned ALL the "philosophers" who were included in the curriculum.
I have little regard for philosophers. Their opinions are no better than my own.

I remember how much I loved taking an ethics class in college.
It also did a lot to help me learn how to debate.

Whether you choose to "out" yourself to your instructor and classmates is
entirely up to you.
If you do, just be prepared to defend your beliefs, or lack thereof.
Good luck!!!!

Don't go in with an open mind.. is my my suggestion. Go with a biased atheist mind to protect yourself.

Approach it from a historical and sociological perspective and you shouldn't have any problem. Follow the fables. Veda Tora bible Koran. Compare them. Compare the cultures and history at their conception. It's all rather fascinating.

I hope your instructors, fellow students, and the texts do these topics justice, because both of these classes should be fascinating and enlightening. I well remember being enthralled with the readings, lectures, discussions, and even the essays assigned in the ethics class I took so long ago. This is a chance for you to engage with the ideas of people who have very deliberately and meticulously thought about what it means to live a good life. You won't agree with all of them, or maybe any of them. That's the fun of it.

Open mind. Relaxed discussion. Laugh. Don't 'push' personal views, and hope the religious don't either.

Treat them as you would any other class. Do the outside work, take part in class, be prepared to defend your position. I took ethics from a Methodist theologian, his position was not what you position was but whether or not you could defend it. I still remember after an intense interegation, where he questioned every aspect of my position, he goes, quite frankly I agree with you, but you need to know how to defend your position in the face of opposition. I hope you learn much and that it is an enjoyable set of classes.

Just listen and learn... don't argue ! Arguing with Christian's is like arguing with republicans.. I guess one and the same ! Lol

I'd say don't let them know you're an Atheist. (If they don't already know).. I'd be afraid of bias when grading papers.

Read, investigate, ask questions, the key is to be inquisitive and gain knowledge to use as experience later as part of life-long learning.

A Christian can never seriously teach about Judaism One has to live it. In addition, there’s the whole Armageddon BS. And Luther was a mega anti Semite

Oh boy! I'd love to take that class with you... If I was you, I'd act like a sponge, and soak all the information in. Ask questions. Take notes. I'd even bring a audio or video recorder, whatever is acceptable, to make sure to get all the discussions, but more importantly, their answers and responses. Have fun learning.

As someone who attempted to play both sides during a college game simulation course, I would advise you not to ask questions that would challenge religion. This is something near and dear to most of those people and you will antagonize them and they will make your life hell potentially. Maybe better to absorb all that you hear and learn from them and maybe seek out any like minded individuals in the class based on their questions. Then you can meet with them later and discuss things. I'm just trying to save you the many hours of hitting my head against the wall trying to discuss religion with religious people. Either way enjoy it all. My philosophy 101 course was the best course ever in my life and showed how ridiculous religion was.

Soak up the knowledge
Learn to criticise the logic behind ideas
Make your own informed dcisions ob religions, ethics and morals - they should be your beliefs, informed but not enforced or imposed by someone else

Just be honest

You should be prepared that the christians in the class are going to look at you in a different way if you're atheist. Some will feel sorry for you, Some will feel contempt for you, Some will look down at you, Some will challenge you and some will try to convert you. In their minds, Christianity is 100% true and you're 100% wrong and youre being deceived by Satan. Just keep hitting them with fact after fact after fact. After all, When you look at the facts about the beginnings of christianity there is nothing there. If you really want to learn about christianity i would suggest studying hypnotism. The format of the church service is very similar to a hypnotic induction. The way they play with peoples emotion and imagination is very hypnotic. If a hypnotist were to do the same thing to a patient and induce fear and install fright as the church does he would be seen as unethical and be shunned. but the pastor does it and he is revered.

I took a World Religion class once. They are useful, if just so you'll know what sort of delusional idiot you encounter, farther down the road!

Do your own research, too, to be sure you’re getting unbiased information. The history of religions and the areas of the world they come from should be part of the course. I hope you enjoy it!