A question of faith-answer in the morning if you want to.

First off I apologize in advance if this post offends anyone, I just need to read opinions.

I attend a public university that is faith based (catholic) and each student no matter what their discipline is has to take a theology class.

I was hesitant on taking classes like Discussion of the New Testament or Old Testament so I played it safe and took the basic class Religion and Human Experience.  The first night the professor (a catholic) stated that she wanted us to have opinion discussions in class.  She went around the room asking every ones religion.  Now I live in a city where catholic faith is dominant and half of the class was indeed catholic, the other half were sprinkled with Baptist, Protestant, Buddhist and even a Pagan.

Well class started out okay until we started talking about prejudices in religions.  The rituals in a religion were the sub-topic.  Of course the class was very interested in the girl who considered herself a Pagan but that was half as interesting as when the professor was seemingly upset because of the questions from non catholics like; why do catholics have to confess to a priest when Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and therefore we can go to God ourselves.  Why do catholics pray to the saints? 

A couple classes later and she pretty much denounced the idea that Christians can experience a miracle if it is not witnessed by a community.    There was a lot more but my point is with everything in the world is there prejudice in religion?  If so why, is it because of rituals?

There is a public university that faith based - interesting. I attended Xavier in New Orleans, private and Catholic. I'm not Catholic, but I digress before adding to the topic at hand.

One reason there is prejudice in religion is that everyone is following the "truth." Even among Christians there are sects or denominations - Catholics and Protestants, then there a subgroups within protestantism - Baptists, Methodists, nondenomination.

I think it the prof missed a teaching moment if she was unwilling or unable to explain her religious beliefs and practices without becoming offended. The class is supposed to be about the human experience and religion and I hope the prof gets with the program. A better discussion would be for the class to discuss religion's impact on them or their response or thoughts etc. Just like your discussion topic - great class topic because your discussion topic is about the human experience.

Oh and I forgot to add: Rituals are an expression of one's beliefs and that too is a reason I think for intolerance for faith traditions that differ from one's one.

Of course everyone doesn't feel the same way.

Is there prejudice in religion? U bet thier is. The reason is (only my opinoin). Because people create religion and all the rituals. People not all people but people in general. Like to separate them selves become more than the rest. Religion is the perfect  way to do this. Even christains can't agree on the
bible.

First I wanna say I am sorry for the teacher's ignorance; but she showed prejudice to those that didn't understand or don't know anything about the Catholic religion.  But most definitely there is prejudice in religion when people don't understand or they want to come to their own conclusions about other religions.  I am curious as to did the teacher or any other practicing Catholics answer the questions.  And I will tell you this most of the time those questions can't be answered because those acts were "taught."  Like for instance, why are there additional books in the Catholic bible? 

I love attending catholic schools and I don't mind learning about other religions; it makes me more respectful.  But anyway I had to take a World Religion class; and it was taught by an Indian woman that was Catholic; but she riled the class up so; that she was basically removed from the class after the semester. 

It is too bad she could not have been less biased.  But yes there sure are prejudices in religion and have been look at the Crusades, look at what is going on in the middle east today.  We are blessed to live in a country where we can freely practice our beliefs. 

I have no answer to why though......be blessed it is only a class and will be over soon.

~Maxine

I suppose this will always be the question for the ages.  Many of us get very protective of what we possess, our homes, our cars, our kid, yes what we believe.  We defend what is ours.  I believe it is just a second nature.  Wisdom comes in and maturity in who we are when we are able to hear other ideas, and respect what were hear, not because we like it or love it but we love the one that possesses it.  I for one.....have my own set of values...I believe what i believe...no one can take that away from me regardless of what they say about it....I listen, observe ask questions, participate with others who dont share my beliefs.....I love that person...it is a commandment in my faith...so I choose to look deeper at the person and not their values and geniunely love them....makes no difference what they believe....When we get to the point that we can isolate the individual from what they possess, then we can accept them with all that goes on with them and give them the respect that deserve...It gets easier as we practice love.....I feel sorry for people in authority who have an opportunity to influence...when the take the defensive point ....it weakens them in the eyes of the ones they had the opportunity to influence.  But I suspect that since this prejudice has been going on since Cain and Abel it will be going on until Jesus comes again.

PREJUDICE IN RELIGION: Have you heard of THE CRUSADES. That was a period in history of which even Christain Scholars are ashamed. I think in most if not all Religions customs and habits become rituals; and of course rituals are there to discriminate...Imagine living in a Christian country, 99% of the population is Christian and white but one group is subjegated, discriminated against and hated...so what distinguishes these people because walking down the street one could not tell any difference. The difference is where each goes to worship - Both Christian, one group Chatholic (Nationalist Party) and the other Protestant (unionist Party and majority)...That country is Northern Ireland.


These above examples are just the TIP of the Iceburg...and ohhh yea, YOUR religion of Paganism is one of the most ritualistic religions of all, but then you know that.


Edited To Say: (Speaking of the 3 Abrahamic Religions- Judaism, Christianity, Islam and maybe others).  Without rituals - there is NO Religion, there is ONLY WORSHIP! As a former Muslim of 20 years GOD clarified that for Me, that's why I am NOW a Believer (Believer in The Creator Only). In the Quran, GOD said, " Religion is a 'cult', I Blessed it because of your father Abraham." The rituals in Religion often get confused with with the GOAL, and some foolish people actually believe that if you do not do certain things GOD will not hear you. There are no requirements to get to GOD, no intercessor needed. If you come a knockin, He will let you in!