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Mockingbird · 09-30-2007, 05:44 AM

There's a lot to cover in your post, so forgive me if I dart from one thing to another.

First off, you did the proper thing in questioning the material that was being presented to you. I've taken a few classes similar to this and from my experience it's much less about learning about world religions or schools of thought as it is a podium for speakers to toss ideas at you and see what sticks. To any rational person, it can be pretty frustrating to hear an argument for something so life altering with so little evidence. Also, this may be my ignorance on the subject but I was under the impression that while we know about the existence of dark matter/dark energy the scientific community knows next to nothing about it. Anyone proclaiming to already have some sort of idea of its role throws their credibility into question instantly. I mean, the stuff can only be measured with very precise instruments and we sort of found out about it by chance, this guy is saying that already he thinks it has something to do with my pet knowing when I come home?

I wonder who screens those people?

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about appearing close minded. Anyone quick enough to judge someone as close minded without a mountain of proof probably has a tendency to try to fit people into categories as quickly as possible so they don't have to interact with the real person and can treat them as a stereotype instead. With that said, I would imagine that the rest of your classmates are probably lapping all of the new age claptrap up, because it provides easy answers that they don't have to think about or question. I may be being hypocritical in making a flash judgment like that, but I've dealt with similar folks before and I believe this may be the case.

From here on, I would just sit and enjoy the players on the stage. You've already raised a rational objection and it seems like the majority overruled you, so while you may have to sit and listen to it to get your college credit, feel secure in the fact that you certainly don't have to buy into any of it.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

09-30-2007, 05:44 AM	#7
Mockingbird Master of hand to mouth living Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tulsa, Okla Posts: 189	There's a lot to cover in your post, so forgive me if I dart from one thing to another. First off, you did the proper thing in questioning the material that was being presented to you. I've taken a few classes similar to this and from my experience it's much less about learning about world religions or schools of thought as it is a podium for speakers to toss ideas at you and see what sticks. To any rational person, it can be pretty frustrating to hear an argument for something so life altering with so little evidence. Also, this may be my ignorance on the subject but I was under the impression that while we know about the existence of dark matter/dark energy the scientific community knows next to nothing about it. Anyone proclaiming to already have some sort of idea of its role throws their credibility into question instantly. I mean, the stuff can only be measured with very precise instruments and we sort of found out about it by chance, this guy is saying that already he thinks it has something to do with my pet knowing when I come home? I wonder who screens those people? Anyway, I wouldn't worry about appearing close minded. Anyone quick enough to judge someone as close minded without a mountain of proof probably has a tendency to try to fit people into categories as quickly as possible so they don't have to interact with the real person and can treat them as a stereotype instead. With that said, I would imagine that the rest of your classmates are probably lapping all of the new age claptrap up, because it provides easy answers that they don't have to think about or question. I may be being hypocritical in making a flash judgment like that, but I've dealt with similar folks before and I believe this may be the case. From here on, I would just sit and enjoy the players on the stage. You've already raised a rational objection and it seems like the majority overruled you, so while you may have to sit and listen to it to get your college credit, feel secure in the fact that you certainly don't have to buy into any of it. I hope this helps. Good luck!