Studying Theology

[Bella Fortuna]

The utter bollocks of it disgusts me.

Yesterday I heard an article on public radio about the theology program of Claremont College, how they have integrated degrees in other faiths because their Christian base was dwindling. It was full of buzzwords like "multi-faith dialogue" and presented as 'isn't this a wonderful thing?' However, the whole notion that this is an acceptable subject for education - memorising all the intricacies of religious nonsense of any stripe... to me it's the antithesis of education - it's perpetuating keeping people steeped in ignorance and fairy tales as fact.

Not to mention that they ignore the fundamental fact that each of the religions involved (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) cannot, by definition and by their own texts, accept the others as legitimate or as anything but heresy... Conveniently whitewashed in the usual 'many paths to god' tripe.

http://claremontlincoln.org/academics/d ... s-degrees/

[Thinking Aloud]

Keeps the guys running the college in jobs, though, eh?

[klr]

"Masters in Sacred Jewish Music"

[Bella Fortuna]

The whole time I was listening to this story, all I could think of was replacing the religion part with something like Dungeons and Dragons or Pokemon - makes as much sense and is equally rule-intensive and grounded in reality!

[klr]

The utter bollocks of it disgusts me.

Yesterday I heard an article on public radio about the theology program of Claremont College, how they have integrated degrees in other faiths because their Christian base was dwindling. It was full of buzzwords like "multi-faith dialogue" and presented as 'isn't this a wonderful thing?' However, the whole notion that this is an acceptable subject for education - memorising all the intricacies of religious nonsense of any stripe... to me it's the antithesis of education - it's perpetuating keeping people steeped in ignorance and fairy tales as fact.

Not to mention that they ignore the fundamental fact that each of the religions involved (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) cannot, by definition and by their own texts, accept the others as legitimate or as anything but heresy... Conveniently whitewashed in the usual 'many paths to god' tripe.

http://claremontlincoln.org/academics/d ... s-degrees/

It would also seem there are many paths to a degree in Theology [/academic joke]

[Jason]

Ooh. Master of Divinity - that's an impressive title.

I don't quite understand your problem with it though. I didn't look in depth at the syllabus, but do these interfaith studies require you to actually hold the beliefs? Otherwise I think it would be a good thing to have an in depth understanding of the theology of the 2 major religions of the world and the religion they were both founded from.

[FBM]

I don't see a problem. Philosophy students study logical fallacies and psychologists study delusions of grandeur, dementia and related stuff all the time. As for me, I study grammatical errors in order to be a better Engrish teechir.

[Bella Fortuna]

This is the only divinity worth being the master of:

[Mysturji]

Ooh. Master of Divinity - that's an impressive title.

I don't quite understand your problem with it though. I didn't look in depth at the syllabus, but do these interfaith studies require you to actually hold the beliefs? Otherwise I think it would be a good thing to have an in depth understanding of the theology of the 2 major religions of the world and the religion they were both founded from.

As a Discordian I can invent and bestow titles upon myself. My personal favourite is "Grand Poobah of Fnords", although I am also a KSC (Keeper of the Sacred Chao) and OM(F)G (Operation Mindfuck General).
[/derail]
If they taught these courses as branches of psychology or anthropology, I'd be fine with it. But it seems to me like just another way for religions to empty the pockets of the gullible.

[Faithfree]

Ooh. Master of Divinity - that's an impressive title.

Years ago, when we were at uni, a mate of mine (a fellow atheist) received a package in the mail - a very official looking Doctor of Divinity certificate with his name on it from some American mail order bible college. He has always accused me of sending his name off, but it wasn't. But I wish I had thought of it.

[Mysturji]

This is the only divinity worth being the master of:

Divinity fudge!

My Mum used to make that at Xmas, but lost the recipe.
Do you have it?

[Bella Fortuna]

This is the only divinity worth being the master of:

Divinity fudge!

My Mum used to make that at Xmas, but lost the recipe.
Do you have it?

No but I could easily find a good one and try it... you know, for science.

[Mysturji]

[Callan]

Polyfilla balls?








(That's Spackle for you Merkin types.)

[Tero]

My Unitarian minister, the good one with the atheist dad, had to go to divinity school in Chicago. He had to some Christian mumbo jumbo rituals in case he needed it. It might have been a small class. They kicked him out, maybe because he was bad at fundraising. Now they have a temp.