Follow-up hypothetcial question (religion and state)

[Superfly]

Poll question: Follow-up hypothetcial question (religion and state)

OK, this time, different dead rich guy.

Still bequeaths $500,000,000 to a public university for academic facilities improvement, with one condition. The university must hire and tenure a professor to teach a *christian only* theology class.

Take the money or decline the offer? Why?

[donco6]

1. Clarification?

Christian only - you mean only Christianity is taught, or only Christians can enroll?

[Superfly]

2. A 100% Christian viewpoint is taught

Anybody can enroll

[izzie]

3. and it frees up money so you can teach other religions there.

Good deal

[JohnLocke]

6. Sure, I would take it.

A class on Christian docrine would be fine.

[mlawson]

4. This time, decline the offer.

The monument, to me, is one thing; most all colege age students have seen (read) the Ten Commandments, and are old enough to decide for themselves what they mean to them, if anything. A monument is a passive thing, and even though I oppose any church and state entanglement, I am also a college teacher who has been through several budget crises. There could always be a large inscription at the base of the monument, explaining exactly the reason for having it there, and everyone would understand.

But a *Christian* class, that is a very different thing -- it would almost certainly lead to animosity, exclusion, and who knows what other problems.

[Superfly]

5. Ah...but I think you mentioned the key word...

"decide"

If they are old enough to decide on the monument, are they not also old enough to decide to take the class or not?

Just wondering.

[mlawson]

12. Yes, they are. But again, a class like that is 'active',

while a monument is passive. No one will learn intolerance from reading the commandments, but they surely could from a class, if taught in the way I suspect it might be. With a class, there is also the possibliity that students could be forced by fundie parents to enroll in it.

[Mikimouse]

7. No problem with that...

I will take the money and hire a female professor with a background in religion and women's studies. That would pretty much ensure that the course would be thorough, challenging, and on the mark. Since so much of christianity has been prostituted over the years, it would probably be a refreshing change of pace.

[BlueEyedSon]

8. You think there are no "Xtian only" classes now?

(I hope you don't mean restricting registration of the class to Xtian students)

There are teachers who specialize in plant biology vs. animal biology, or organic chemistry vs inorganic. Every field is VERY specialized. I know someone who is academically obsessed with bronze age archaeological studies. If I point out an example of phenomenal Byzantine art or architecture she turns up her nose and says "oh, thats A.D." :)

As the dean, I would have equal representation of other theological flavors.... and make sure the university continues to teach evolution, etc. But god knows that public ed could use the $$$.

[demothinker]

9. Personally, I want to know who's knocking off all these rich guys... n/t

[Superfly]

10. Mad Cow or SARS....take your pick

NT

[Trajan]

11. Hypothetical response to hypothetical

OK, this time, different dead rich guy.

A rich Emir bequeaths $500,000,000 to a public university for academic facilities improvement, with one condition. The university must hire and tenure a professor to teach a *Muslim only* theology class.

Take the money or decline the offer? Why?

=========================================

Note: define "Christian Only" ...

ONLY Christian theology is offered ???

ONLY Christians may attend ???

=========================================

NEW Hypothetical:

A living man possesses a numbers of beliefs:, including these two:

1) That ANY regulation of weaponry in the public square is a vile intrusion of governmental powers into the lives of private citizens.

2) That public funds should be used to promote a 'christian only' worldview in any and all possible ways, including direct public funding of church efforts to promote specific theological tenets unique to the christian tradition, even if that tradition rejects non-christian theological belief as 'sinful' or 'heretical'.

Can we call this man a 'Conservative' ??? ... or a Progressive ???

Why ??? ............

[H2O Man]

15. Defining Christianity....

.... within a classroom could be a great experience for students of various backgrounds. Remember, there are hundreds of christian sects that have existed during the past 2000 years. There is no one definition of christianity. My fear is that people on the "left" (for lack of a better word) allow the most ignorant and hateful to grab the mantle of christianity. It should NOT be that way. Symbols such as the cross and the flag belong to the left FAR MORE than to the right. I can tell you this in all humility: Jesus would not be hanging out with Karl Rover and Rummy, planning the re-election campaign, no matter how many brown-skinned Muslims had to be killed.
No, sir, if Jesus were here today, and saw what the far-right is doing in his name, I tell you that he would be tossing the money-changers outta the temple again. Believe me, this administration would crucify him again, only this time it would be on Fox TV.
Christianity, did you say? Let me ask you -- will Bush allow the Conscientious Objector status if he starts the draft as planned?

[Nikia]

13. No problem with theology of any religion taught

Ideally a non religious college would have several religions theologies taught. This is already done at several independent private colleges.
Students may choose to take the course for other reasons than strengthening their beliefs or converting. For example, a Jewish friend at my college, took a course "New Testament" because she was not familiar with it and interested in what the main text of Christianity, embraced by the majority of Americans, taught. Another, raised non religious, took a Christinaity class because he was an English major and found that so such literature alluded to Christian concepts.
Most Americans are more familiar with Christianity and might want to learn about other religions for various reasons also.
I suppose this could be a slippery slope though.

[Jacobin]

14. Improbable hypothesis. Why not leave it to a Christian University?

[Serenity-NOW]

16. Another irrelevent thread... whazzup with this? n/t

[Superfly]

18. Just ignore it and move along....

is that so hard?

[arewethereyet]

17. they had one at the public university I graduated from, why not ?

of course you take the money, don't be silly!