My son came home to inform me that his Philosophy instructor at college is an atheist. Now if he chooses to be an atheist, that saddens me but that is his choice. My problem is this; he is instructing my son and is going out of his way to prove that faith in God is silly superstition and a dead or dieing way of life. I asked my son if he had the knowledge and faith to handle this man. He said yes but I can't help but worry.
I don't really understand what colleges are thinking. If I were an instructor and tried to foster my faith on students as he is trying to push his on my son, I would be fired. It's one thing to say "These are my beliefs", It's another intirely to say "If you don't believe the way I do, your stupid." On the other hand, my son has reached an age where he has to stand more and more alone. At this point he either 0wns his faith or he walks away from it. I have spent a lot of years and a fair amount of prayer trying to see to it that he has the tools he needs to understand faith and hang on to it. but now it's his turn to put what he has been taught to use. He either believes or he doesn't. He can't just parrot back what he thinks I want to hear.
Do I think really that he doesn't really own his faith? No, I truly believe that he believes. That said the only one who truely knows a person's heart, other than that person, is God Himself. Today's Sunday School lesson contained the verse "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul." I don't want one of my children, in an atempt to gain a good grade or the positive oppinion of a professor give up the really important things in life.
These are the thoughts that give mothers gray hairs.
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3 comments:
I can appreciate this post for sure. I go to an all girls "Catholic" school (I am Christian though) and I have been here since 1999 and I have to say that at least 95% of my instructors have professed to be athiests or call themselves Christians but then tell the class that Jesus was just another good guy and the Bible isn't the word of God, etc...Oh this INCLUDES my religious studies teachers (being I am a religious studies major). I have gotten in MANY a-debate with my professors and have stood my ground and refused to simply parrot back what my professors believe as far as assignments and such. I have also had teachers almost fail me because of my beliefs. BUT I know that when I speak out there are other students around me listening to my beliefs - the truth! So, tell your son to stand firm, that even if his classmates and teachers are against his believs, that God is there, listening, smiling down on him for standing firm in his faith. It isn't easy - my faith has been tested many MANY times because of my time at this school - but it has also made me a stronger warrior for Christ, unafraid to declare the glory of God to all - even teachers.
University can be a faith-unfriendly place. Mom, you are wise to stay on top of it - be sure your son is being fed regularly with the Word - the best defense there is!
I will really be praying about this, love you my friend.
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