Bigotry (Continued)

[Ryndel]

The thread was closed, so I'm starting a new one.
I read all of your replies, and I'd really like to thank you all. It's great to know some christians that don't hate atheists for what they believe, and I'm just about to go off to a 4th of July party that my friends are having, so I've gotta keep this brief.

If I insulted anybody, I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to offend people with the post, and I do realize that insulting religion DOES make me kind of a hypocrite. I don't hate religion, and I don't think that ALL christians in the world are bigots. Most of the ones I've met outside of the internet have been, that's all.

As for the teacher thing, there's sort of a happy ending to that story. How did she find out about my being an atheist, you ask? She was the confirmation class teacher at the church I used to go to (until about a year or two ago), and she apparently talked to my parents about it. That's how she found out I'd become an atheist, and the next time I saw her she was my biology teacher!
About the grade, I know it's easy to beat a C minus! I should have gotten a straight A in that class, and I've got truckloads of proof to show for it. Here's a sampling:
1) The lowest recorded score I got on a test that year was 89%.
2) Every single graduation standard received a perfect or near - perfect score.
2) My lowest score I got on a class project was around 92%, but I'd have to check again to get an exact score.
So what got me the C minus? I failed to turn in ONE PORTION of ONE GRAD STANDARD. It was worth (and I kid you not) 3 points. My teacher took it and ran with it. I tried to make the standard up (I think the end count of attempts was about 23), but she'd "lose" every single one I turned in.
She tacked on numerous extra requirements to the standard and sent me off to summer school with it. I doubt there's anything I could have done about that, but what's done is done. I can still do something about the grade on my record, however...
Fortunately, I had records of all the scores I got throughout the year, and it totaled out to 97%. I should have gotten a straight A for the year, and I've got proof. I also have a recorded incident about 6 years ago of this exact same thing happening with another atheist student, and of another one 3 years before that where she filled out a summer school perscription for a Jewish student, and to this day she's never given any reason at all. I'm going straight to the school board with this in the hopes that something can be done about it and that this harassment can be put to a stop before anybody else is a victim. I'm also hoping I can give the principal a little hell for ignoring the other two incidents!

Great: party's starting in about 15 minutes, so I've gotta wrap this up!

As I said, I'd really like to thank everybody who answered. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to know that there are people out there who don't judge you based on what you believe and think! It's a refreshing change, if you ask me.

OK, my time's up, but I'll probably be checking back at this thread sometime tomorrow. See you guys then and happy 4th of July!

Gotta roll!

[Mouse]

People - just a reminder that we are currently observing a moratorium on threads where religion is the main topic. By all means debate Ryndel's situation and advise him on the best way to proceed - just don't rehash the debate that was carried out in the original thread OK

[Yorick]

Mouse, I didn't see too much wrong with the original thread. Not really a debate at all, let alone a mudsling. I didn't see insulting generalisations, it was more like people expressing their personal experiences. How can we argue with that?

For what it's worth guys, I've been "burnt by the church" too. I too went to a Baptist school and heard some bizarre statements and attitudes as I grew up. I later taught at a couple of Christian Music/Bible colleges, and when I divorced I became a Pariah to some there, and experienced quite bizzarre irrational behaviour from those I would have called friends, who were within the church.

Even perfect strangers have harshly told me their views on Gods position on divorce (about which I read verrrry extensively I can tell you.)

However, God is real to me. Jesus Christ is real to me. The Holy Spirit is real to me. I could not, and never will discount all the wondrous things that have worked into my life as a result of knowing him.

Also, while I recieved a lot of crap, I also recieved much wondrous positive encouragement and healing from other believers - some from the same church where my detractors were from.

I chose to focus on these people, and let their strength be stronger than others attacks.

What am I saying? That Christians are human. That they come in all shapes and sizes and a myriad of practices and beliefs. Some are judgemental, others are not. Some are forgiving, others are not. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, but rest assured, without the tempering effect of Christ, the individuals concerned would be ten times worse.

This is not to say Christians are better than those who are not. Just that Christ is the medicine to a sick and hurting individual. Do you go to a hospital when you are not ill?

At the end of the day, I looked at my own life and what God had done. I looked at those from whom I drew strength and love and saw God in them. I looked at the harmony in the creation and the care and artistry involved, and I healed from my negative church experience.

There is a good book covering a similar situation called Soul Survivor by Phillip Yancey. It seems it's an all too familiar occurrence especially in America, where somehow religious rigidity got entangled up in the message of Christs grace and liberty.

Have a good day all. [img]smile.gif[/img] Happy searching, and living.

Hugh

[dafan]

Originally posted by Ryndel: The thread was closed, so I'm starting a new one. I read all of your replies, and I'd really like to thank you all. It's great to know some christians that don't hate atheists for what they believe, and I'm just about to go off to a 4th of July party that my friends are having, so I've gotta keep this brief. If I insulted anybody, I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to offend people with the post, and I do realize that insulting religion DOES make me kind of a hypocrite. I don't hate religion, and I don't think that ALL christians in the world are bigots. Most of the ones I've met outside of the internet have been, that's all. As for the teacher thing, there's sort of a happy ending to that story. How did she find out about my being an atheist, you ask? She was the confirmation class teacher at the church I used to go to (until about a year or two ago), and she apparently talked to my parents about it. That's how she found out I'd become an atheist, and the next time I saw her she was my biology teacher! About the grade, I know it's easy to beat a C minus! I should have gotten a straight A in that class, and I've got truckloads of proof to show for it. Here's a sampling: 1) The lowest recorded score I got on a test that year was 89%. 2) Every single graduation standard received a perfect or near - perfect score. 2) My lowest score I got on a class project was around 92%, but I'd have to check again to get an exact score. So what got me the C minus? I failed to turn in ONE PORTION of ONE GRAD STANDARD. It was worth (and I kid you not) 3 points. My teacher took it and ran with it. I tried to make the standard up (I think the end count of attempts was about 23), but she'd "lose" every single one I turned in. She tacked on numerous extra requirements to the standard and sent me off to summer school with it. I doubt there's anything I could have done about that, but what's done is done. I can still do something about the grade on my record, however... Fortunately, I had records of all the scores I got throughout the year, and it totaled out to 97%. I should have gotten a straight A for the year, and I've got proof. I also have a recorded incident about 6 years ago of this exact same thing happening with another atheist student, and of another one 3 years before that where she filled out a summer school perscription for a Jewish student, and to this day she's never given any reason at all. I'm going straight to the school board with this in the hopes that something can be done about it and that this harassment can be put to a stop before anybody else is a victim. I'm also hoping I can give the principal a little hell for ignoring the other two incidents! Great: party's starting in about 15 minutes, so I've gotta wrap this up! As I said, I'd really like to thank everybody who answered. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to know that there are people out there who don't judge you based on what you believe and think! It's a refreshing change, if you ask me. OK, my time's up, but I'll probably be checking back at this thread sometime tomorrow. See you guys then and happy 4th of July! Gotta roll!

u call that brief?...this is brief =)

[Cerek the Barbaric]

I owe you an apology, Ryndel.

When I read your original Post, I have to admit that I thought you might be "blaming" your poor grades on outside factors rather than accepting responsibility for them yourself.

I was wrong.

It appears quite obvious that your allegations are legitimate and I think you have every right to approach the school board with your complaint.

Hope everything goes well.

[Chewbacca]

It is fortunate that there are well moderated internet forums like this one. You are facing some challenging circumstances, so reaching out for support to a broader community was certainly a good idea. It sucks feeling singled out or alone when the people around you seek to manipulate you. Rest assured you are not the only one. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Its important to note that anyone who has a belief or a religion could egotistically force it upon others, or discriminate because they are different. The problem doesn't lie with any particular religon, but within the individual human psyches that perpetuate such behavior. I assume the original post was locked because one religion in particular was singled out, but that is just the nature of the circumstances. The problem of fanatism in religion runs deeper than any one in particualr.

[Ryndel]

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: I owe you an apology, Ryndel. When I read your original Post, I have to admit that I thought you might be "blaming" your poor grades on outside factors rather than accepting responsibility for them yourself. I was wrong. It appears quite obvious that your allegations are legitimate and I think you have every right to approach the school board with your complaint. Hope everything goes well.

Hey, don't worry about it, man!

[The Hierophant]

Damn, I thought this would be a thread about having multiple wives. I always get bigotry and bigamy mixed up.

[Yorick]

I thought it was about having large old trays. Or trying very hard.

[WillowIX]

Posted by the Hierophant: Damn, I thought this would be a thread about having multiple wives. I always get bigotry and bigamy mixed up.

By all means Hierophant!! Start one, lmao! [img]graemlins/happydance.gif[/img]

[ 07-05-2002, 07:01 AM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]