Moral Dilemma In Religion Class?

[TheAllyAvery]

So, I attend a small Catholic High School. I'm a sophomore. We have to take a religion class every year here. This year we take Biblical Studies, which basically means that we read Bible passages and try to figure out what they are saying.

Trouble is, I'm not exactly Catholic. I'm actually kind of an atheist. Or an agnostic. I kind of go back and forth, and sometimes I believe in some kind of higher power.

Yesterday, we were discussing when we would have our next test. Our teacher said she was considering giving it to us on Thursday, but she would give it to us on Friday instead if we wanted to have it then. Most of us chimed in and said we'd rather have it on Friday. I said that I wanted it Friday because I had an important Quantitative Science test on Thursday, and didn't want to have two tests in one day.

So this other kid pipes up, and he says to me, "So, what's more important to you, God, or Science?"

I said, "Honestly, Science." And my religion teacher looks at me like 'What did you just say?' I looked back at her and said "Sorry, no offense."

And she says back, "Well I am offended. Don't you ever say that again."

I considered saying back, "Well, maybe I'm offended that you think God is more important than science," but I decided not to, because I thought it might get me in more trouble.

So, my question is, am I in the wrong here? Was I wrong to merely state my opinion that I found one area of my life more important than another? I don't regret saying what I said, but I just wish that my religion teacher hadn't been so offended. Could I have some guidance here?

[Noirtier]

I'm in a much similar situation, I've gone to a Christian school all my life but I myself really don't believe anymore. Let me tell you that no, you weren't in the wrong for merely stating your opinion. You weren't in the wrong for having one area of your life more important than another. You did the right thing in not retorting back when she said she was offended, because you would have gotten into more trouble. Let me tell you, I've met hundreds, if not thousands of Christians in my life, and a lot of them are really, quite sensitive and aggressive when it comes to questioning religion. They don't want to be wrong, and when someone even thinks to question it, they get defensive and attack them. I've found it best to, at my school, just kind of keep my opinion to myself or talk with the other people who are questioning their faith, rather than accept the dogma forced down our throats. I know how you feel, and it really is dumb, but it's also just something that happens with people when differences of opinion--especially religion--are factored into a situation. If you ever need to talk, I'm always more than willing.

[Jess]

No. You were not wrong in stating your opinion. What Clint said is right, and I agree with everything he said. I'm an atheist myself though I've never been to a religious school (thank goodness for that).

[lyriclover]

Hey, you were asked a question and you answered it. There shouldn't be anything wrong with that.

[Gigablue]

You weren't wrong. Someone asked you a question, and you answered truthfully. It your teacher was offended, that's her problem.

[TigerBoy]

Not only are you not wrong to have an opinion, but your teacher is way wrong to use the school environment to a) try to impose her religious views and b) to do so in such a bullying manner which is unprofessional (a good teacher would explain not bully).

I'm not clear how faith schools in the US get around the 'separation of church and state' in the constitution, but this reaction to telling you not to repeat your personally held views feels decidedly 'un American' to me.

[Zenos]

So, I attend a small Catholic High School. I'm a sophomore. We have to take a religion class every year here. This year we take Biblical Studies, which basically means that we read Bible passages and try to figure out what they are saying.

Trouble is, I'm not exactly Catholic. I'm actually kind of an atheist. Or an agnostic. I kind of go back and forth, and sometimes I believe in some kind of higher power.

Yesterday, we were discussing when we would have our next test. Our teacher said she was considering giving it to us on Thursday, but she would give it to us on Friday instead if we wanted to have it then. Most of us chimed in and said we'd rather have it on Friday. I said that I wanted it Friday because I had an important Quantitative Science test on Thursday, and didn't want to have two tests in one day.

So this other kid pipes up, and he says to me, "So, what's more important to you, God, or Science?"

I said, "Honestly, Science." And my religion teacher looks at me like 'What did you just say?' I looked back at her and said "Sorry, no offense."

And she says back, "Well I am offended. Don't you ever say that again."

I considered saying back, "Well, maybe I'm offended that you think God is more important than science," but I decided not to, because I thought it might get me in more trouble.

So, my question is, am I in the wrong here? Was I wrong to merely state my opinion that I found one area of my life more important than another? I don't regret saying what I said, but I just wish that my religion teacher hadn't been so offended. Could I have some guidance here?



You have the right as an individual human being and a citizen of these United States to voice you're opinion.

If you wanted to you can voice that opinion again,and she can't do anything but send you to the office for offending her.

Perosanally if it was me i'd look at here monday monring bring this topic back up and tell her I was offended over the fact she's telling me what i can and can not say and therefore Violating my constitutional rights and that if i wanted to say that again it's my right too!

[PerpetualImperfexion]

I've been going to a christian school since preschool and I no longer believe entirely, so I'm, in a way, in the same situation as you. It's a Lutheran school, so they are a bit more accepting I think than catholic schools. There are even a few open atheists and at least one openly gay kid. Today some kid asked at lunch how I thought the world would end. I said that millions of years from now the Sun is going to explode and the Earth will be no more. Another kid was like "No the world isn't going to end. When Jesus come's back all the believers will come back to earth to live in new Jerusalem." I straight up said that I don't use religion to explain questions that can be answered with science. I haven't come out as an atheist so he backed off by I said something that would change the way he thought of me. [/STORYTIME]

[TheAllyAvery]

Thanks everyone for your advice! Luckily, it hasn't come back up again in class. My religion teacher is extremely bigoted. She's 60-something years old, and honestly, I'm pretty sure no one has told her that we're in the 21st century yet. Thanks everyone for your input.