Seems Academic To Me
Is it really the university's job to "increase spiritual awareness"? Silly me, I went for literature, science, and the arts. The climate in this country is downright frightening.
Seems Academic To Me
Is it really the university's job to "increase spiritual awareness"? Silly me, I went for literature, science, and the arts. The climate in this country is downright frightening.
"Researchers suggested that professors should encourage secular spiritual discussion in class, adding a nonmaterialistic purpose to education."
Blogger suggests that researchers get the Oxymoron of the Year Award for "secular spiritual discussion." Perhaps they meant "non-denominational"? Any professor who encourages spiritual discussion and who is not teaching in a theological seminary should get thrown out on his ass. (However, discussions of various conceptions of "spirituality" seem appropriate for certain philosophy classes.)
Students who are still looking for a nonmaterialistic education should try a seminar on Argumentation and Rhetoric instead of online courses in cost accounting. It might help them get their "secular spiritual" thoughts a bit more organized -- or at the very least, prepare them for law school.
Proffy Leen at November 27, 2003 11:48 AM
I agree with you, Proffy Leen, about the oxymoronic "secular spiritual discussion." I did a double take as I stumbled across that. I don't think "non-denominational" is appropriate though, as it implies confining itself to one religion, like Christianity, and all denominations within that one religion. Perhaps "not religion specific" would convey the meaning better.
I suppose you could have a "secular spiritual discussion" if you're only discussing what beliefs are held by which of the various spiritual types, rather than a metaphysical discussion about our state of existence.
With that, I agree that professors should confine themselves to questions of objective fact. It is their job to prepare their students for a career, not for the afterlife. I also feel strongly that students wishing to know about spiritual matters should investigate and learn on their own. A university-taught class on religion would forward certain sets of beliefs as factual, not allowing for other interpretations.
I know I would be loathe to have a university professor tell me what Christians believe, and that if I didn't believe a certain thing, I could not call myself a Christian.
Patrick at November 30, 2003 9:38 AM