But I am pissed.
Mostly because I appealed to have my World Religions credit (for my Global and Urban Ministries Minor) substituted for a history class about the Black Church in America since 1950.
Here are my reasons for the substitution:
- I have focused much of my time at SPU on urban issues and done this intentionally and thoughtfully. I have never taken a class from an African American faculty member, I have never taken a class that specifically addresses the intersection between race, culture, and religion.
- I know little about the Civil Right Movement and this is a great vacancy in my education that needs to be filled.
- From the rumors I have heard (read: Testimonies of close friends who have taken the class) the World Religion course offered at SPU is done with conversion as the end. The thought being, the only reason why Christian should learn about other religions is because that will give a better understanding of how to convert their believers. This is something that I have little tolerance or interest in. People of other faiths have legitimate, rational, and profound reasons for their belief. Learning about their practices and faith traditions with the intent of disproving them or converting them can be insulting, disrespectful, and colonial. I am not interested in spending my time, brain capacity, heart, or money in this form of education.
- One of my friends told me that she rarely attended the class, turned her homework in late, and skimmed the book. She walked away with a B. At this point in my life, I refuse to spend my time and money to knowingly waste away in a class that will not be challenging me. I do my homework, read, and I attend class but want this effort to be going to a worthy result.
1 comment:
were you granted the appeal lindsey? i wish you would have taken world religions with me in Japan. or if only the Keuss's taught the course on campus also for your sake. i have heard plenty of bad things about the course and the profs that teach it on campus, so i salute you in trying to substitute it with an awesome class that you want to learn more about. p.s. have you talked to my housemate, Kaylee? she's in it right now with oh dr. adeney of course.
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