Yes, it looks interesting indeed. But why the alarm? I mean, if verse (in Latin) means "to turn", and uni- means "one," well, then the university is doing its job: it's turning students into a monolithic, monochromatic mass of happy sameness.
It may not be indoctrination, although in many ways indoctrination is a good thing. It isn't even brainwashing, for that at least implies a sort of moral and mental cleansing. It is, really, brain numbing, even brain deadening. It is the pedagogical equivalent of smashing one's thumb with a hammer: there is just one thing left -- numbness at best, gangrene at worst.
Truly, there is no diversity in numbness or death. But there is "equality."
Bill, your approach to this, on the other hand, is anything but mind-numbing --rather it gets the synapses firing.
I have a confession: The opposition I received in college in the 1980's is largely responsible for my Christian educational growth.
I enjoyed the combat, if you will. I was new to Christianity and was a naive warrior, for I didn't even know I was walking into battle until the bullets were landing.
In a "writing for the humanities" class I was asked to contrast two essays. One by Bertrand Russell, entitled "Why I am Not a Christian," and one by C.S. Lewis that was really a chapter from his book, "Mere Christianity." That assignment changed my life. It was then I realized that Lewis, whom I had never heard of before that, was like solid steel and the best arguments of the secularists, like Russell (whom I had also never heard of) were like feathers in the wind. I came to the wrong conclusion, from my professor's point of view, but my feet were firmly planted on a new path of inquiry that would be for me very strengthening.
So, I am not really so frightened by the dogmatic oppression of the University setting, as much as I am excited by the fight.
8 comments:
...offended = harassed?
I'd like to see that too!
oh yeah. I'm there.
Unless it's just in idaho. Then i'll wait for netflix.
Wait you guys are pastors?? DUDE!!
Kevin, I'm glad it took you so long to notice! That means we're also real people first! Cool.
Dear Mr. Greiner,
Yes, it looks interesting indeed. But why the alarm? I mean, if verse (in Latin) means "to turn", and uni- means "one," well, then the university is doing its job: it's turning students into a monolithic, monochromatic mass of happy sameness.
It may not be indoctrination, although in many ways indoctrination is a good thing. It isn't even brainwashing, for that at least implies a sort of moral and mental cleansing. It is, really, brain numbing, even brain deadening. It is the pedagogical equivalent of smashing one's thumb with a hammer: there is just one thing left -- numbness at best, gangrene at worst.
Truly, there is no diversity in numbness or death. But there is "equality."
Peace.
BG
Bill, your approach to this, on the other hand, is anything but mind-numbing --rather it gets the synapses firing.
I have a confession: The opposition I received in college in the 1980's is largely responsible for my Christian educational growth.
I enjoyed the combat, if you will. I was new to Christianity and was a naive warrior, for I didn't even know I was walking into battle until the bullets were landing.
In a "writing for the humanities" class I was asked to contrast two essays. One by Bertrand Russell, entitled "Why I am Not a Christian," and one by C.S. Lewis that was really a chapter from his book, "Mere Christianity." That assignment changed my life. It was then I realized that Lewis, whom I had never heard of before that, was like solid steel and the best arguments of the secularists, like Russell (whom I had also never heard of) were like feathers in the wind. I came to the wrong conclusion, from my professor's point of view, but my feet were firmly planted on a new path of inquiry that would be for me very strengthening.
So, I am not really so frightened by the dogmatic oppression of the University setting, as much as I am excited by the fight.
That's why I want to see the movie.
Dear Mike,
Praise be to God for his grace to you back in those university days.
As for B. Russell: His "Why I am not a Christian" essay is so lame it is amazing he was knighted for his work in logic and mathematics.
Lewis knocks his socks off in any sort of religious debate.
Peace to you, dear man.
BG
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