Academic Freedom and Political Correctness at Christian Univ

Da Blonde Bombshell

In response to the concept at some of these faculty and staff may be required to sign a statement that they believe the Bible is literally true and some may be perjuring themselves by doing so, one wag had this response: " guess if someone actually believes that the bible is literally true, and asked you to affirm the same; it would be somewhat ironic that the requirement would take place in a university setting with modern office equipment, mixed sex classrooms, women who come out in public while menstruating, etc… Somehow I see literal believers of the bible more akin to the Taliban or the Amish. If those asking of you to believe literally can delude themselves that they are following the “literal” interpretation of the bible, you shouldn’t place too much internal ethical debate on going along with the 'game'. "

All Comments welcomed.
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"Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials." (James 1:2)

"The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan values and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism." -Reinhold Niebuhr

golfjack · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:22 pm Post subject: reply

That is a ridiculous statement. Are you trying to start an argument?

May God bless, golfjack

FFT · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject:

Let's see. What is this thread under ...

"Bible Doctrine."

And what is that under ...

"Public Debate Forums."

Oops.

Anyway, yeah, it's likely she's trying to start a debate. A literal reading of the bible gives outdated legislation.
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When Science was in its crib, Religion tried to strangle it. When Science was in its infancy, Religion tried to abuse it. Now that Science is grown up, Religion wants to be in its good graces.

Theology is philosophy/ethics for people who already know what conclusion they want to come to.

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 7003 Location: USA

I suppose one would have to provide semantic definitions for 'literal' as used for the purposes of this discussion and for the alleged statement referred to in the opening of this thread.
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JP's Mind - my blog

FFT · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:22 am Post subject:

Following the bible to the letter would lead you to organize stoning parties. No civilized society is going to allow that to happen.

Therefore, outdated legislation. Without even covering the reasons for the stonings.
_________________
When Science was in its crib, Religion tried to strangle it. When Science was in its infancy, Religion tried to abuse it. Now that Science is grown up, Religion wants to be in its good graces.

Theology is philosophy/ethics for people who already know what conclusion they want to come to.

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:31 am Post subject:

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 7003 Location: USA

I was thinking more along the lines of accepting obvious observational and metaphorical language as literally true. For instance does one accept that 'sunrise' actually means the sun rises and that the bible professes such or does one understand the use of observational language in such an instance and accept that the bible is referring to morning...
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JP's Mind - my blog

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:39 pm Post subject:

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 7003 Location: USA

I'm sure they would. I simply asked for more information in order to give your post and questions the proper consideration.
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JP's Mind - my blog

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:58 am Post subject:

JP what do you think of the "principle" of Christian colleges and Universities doing this?

In my view it's inappropriate political correctness and harms the unis doing it because it makes all their academinc writing and research suspect.

As far as denominations which claim to take the bible literally, it is hypocritical since they really don't except selectively.

If that is the alleged doctrine though it makes a kind of sense to require it in theology schools and so forth, but, for teachers of computer science, English, etc., it is merely bullying. And then you have the matter of biology teachers. Creationism is not an academic position but a dogma.
_________________
"Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials." (James 1:2)

"The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan values and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism." -Reinhold Niebuhr