GRRRR...Hard to believe that people like this exist!

[greekspeak]

I am new to a religion PhD program at a state university. At the same time I came in a fundamentalist Baptist preacher came in. The things that come out of his mouth make my bloodpressure rise. He postures and blusters, postures and blusters ad nauseum with all this right wing rhetoric. Today he was ranting about the South and how it was wronged in the Civil War. He was ranting about income tax and how it is unconstitutional. But what really got me was how he talked about his wife. She is a "hippie tree hugger," despite being a conservative, and she "does what she is told," because that is what "southern women do." I am going to be in this program with him for then next several YEARS! How do you DEAL with this kind of nonsense on a practical basis? Sorry for venting.

[brainshrub]

1. He won't last

I wouldn't give him a year. People like that have to be open to knew ideas...fundie Christians can't hack it at a real University.

[JNelson6563]

2. agreed

doesn't soundlike a mind that is expandable. Just expendable.

Julie

[jfxgillis]

5. Unfortunately, you're wrong

He'll write a semi-literate jumble of superstition for his first seminar paper, he'll get a "D," he'll raise a stink about "discrimination" and "political correctness," the Administration will prevail on the teach to give him a Gentleman's "C" just to avoid the monumental headaches, he'll get the "passing grade" and then pull the same stunt all over again.

He wont bust out till it's diss. time, unfortunately.

[ikojo]

43. I agree...

Approx. nine years ago I took a class at Washington Univ in St Louis. It was a Christian Jewish relations class and was co-taught by a Fransciscan monk and a Reform rabbi. Both instructors were professors as well.

Also in the class were four boys who were fundie Christians. Both the rabbi and the monk taught from a historical perspective which did not sit well with the fundie boys. They could not accept that their bible was anything other than inspired. They would argue and force the class to discuss their fundie notions ad nauseum. Finally another student told them that perhaps they were in the wrong class. I think they were hoping to convert a Jew.

Grrr....made for a long class that's for sure.

[La_Serpiente]

3. gosh

and you're in the religion program?

It must be tough to be there.

[greekspeak]

16. It is a religious studies program

so we study religions. Its not a theology program. What I do is more history of Christianity and Christian origins than anything else.

[HFishbine]

4. Boink his wife

She's probably desperate for some, and wouldn't that show him?

[RichM]

7. LOL!

[ParanoidPat]

45. U R SOOOOOO BAD!

:spank: LOL! I love it! :evilgrin:

Thanks for the laugh! :toast:

[RichM]

6. What part of the country are you in? (Just out of curiosity)

In what tone does he make the comment about "hippie tree hugger?" Is it intended simply to be cute, or is there some substance to it?

[greekspeak]

11. Tallahassee, FL

[DarkPhenyx]

8. Start finding the holes in his arguments,...

...preferably using that book ya'll put so much stock in, and start bashing his walls down.

[bobbieinok]

9. It partly depends on how many are in the program and

if there are going to be group projects with group members assigned.

In other words, to what extent are you possibly going to have to work with him? Get some info on how much you may have to work with each other from people in the 2nd and 3rd year + of the program.

If you're not going to have to work with him, then disagree and challenge him ..... POLITELY.

Also, what's the faculty attitude???? Presumably you chose this program because the faculty interests/publications looked compatible with your attitudes.

Did you get a feel about this program from advisors/faculty at your previous school???

It's probable that he's in the wrong place and will leave soon.

[greekspeak]

The department and most people in it

seem to be pretty moderate people for the most part. Couple of the profs seem to tend left, most of the students dont talk much about politics. I am as rabidly liberal as he is conservative, but I don't get up and rant about it.

[Bandit]

10. Just keep reminding him what Jesus had to say

especially about judging people. These type don't know much about Jesus only the Old Testiment. Let those without sin toss the first stone. He sounds very typical though.

[rasputin1952]

20. LOL, that reminds me of a group I went to occasionally...

I took to bringing in a small sack of selected stones. When asked why I did that, I said I wanted to see who would be the first to cast one.
The more radical ones of the group got the message immediately and stood down.

Radical Baptists are some of the worst offenders. I bet the fire and brimstone comes out soon, if it hasn't already. Strange how they are always trying to 'scare' God into people. It doesn't, (and shouldn't), work that way.

As for the 'tree hugging', I would just gently remind him that we are here as stewards of the earth, not plunderers.

O8)

[Terwilliger]

12. come at him from the opposite direction

tell him he's completely un-Christian and un-American

[dreissig]

13. He Has Issues With Women

Sounds like he's using theology to support his backward politics. If he's a fellow student, ignore him and try to stay away from him. If he's a faculty member, I'd complain to the department about him. His rants about women's God-given "place" is at the very least, regressive scholarship. Of course if he's a fellow student, it's good that he's there to learn. He's certainly ignorant.

[greekspeak]

19. Well...

It will be hard to stay away from him...all of us students who started at the same time in our emphasis have the same schedule for the most part. Plus, we both TA for the same class. At first, the guy didn't bother me much. Of course, he didn't say much politically. But he's really starting to hack me off with his wing-nut schlock.

[murielm99]

41. You could...

Tell him you are gay. He might shut up and stay as far away from you as possible.

[Eloriel]

14. Use him as a laboratory rat

That's the only way I could stay sane.

First, get yourself a copy of "When God Becomes a Drug," by Father Leo Booth.

Second, document everything he says. Figure it out. What's behind it? What kind of (warped) mind would think this? Etc.

At some point the patterns and threads and influences will start to emerge. Hell, it could even be the basis of a thesis (depending on whether that sort of thing would be allowed): The Misuse of Rekigion, or some such.

Eloriel

[Mysterio]

15. punch him in the face!

anyone who treats his wife w/ disrespect deserves to be KO'ed!

Mysterio

[denverbill]

17. Tell him Jefferson Davis and Robert E Lee were traitors.

I mean really. If taking up arms against your country isn't treason, what the hell is?

[greekspeak]

18. Funny you mention Lee...

He said something about Virginia...when it ratified the constitution there was a rider added that allowed them to leave the union whenever they wanted.

[rasputin1952]

21. Well...

I guess that rider was overridden.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

22. Since he is being so forward as to generously share

all of his personal beliefs with you, return the favor in a bright, cheery and friendly fashion and tell him about your liberal beliefs and how you love gender equality and so on.

If you stay quiet, he will walk all over you with his beliefs that he "knows" are the only correct ones, but if you answer back in a nice but firm way with your beliefs, he will know he can't trifle with you. People like him are very stuck in hierarchical-type thinking, so you have to let them know they can't run over you.

He will probably avoid you after he knows where you stand. If he starts trying to convert you from your sinful ways, tell him firmly that you have your own beliefs.

[Silverhair]

23. Step one: Be nice to him

I am serious. If show him hostility from the start, you will both be frozen into position and nobody will budge. You won't convert him by shouting him down or shutting him out. Be courteous, listen when he speaks. Listen deeply - By that I mean listen not only to the arguement that he gives and it's logic, but seek to find the emotional buttons behind the logic. Why does he think that way?

Then ask questions of him - gently. Don't make your questions accusatory or confrontational. Use the Socratic method. It is highly effective, but it does take time, lots of it. Socrates would not directly argue with an opponent. He would ask leading questions that eventually took an opponent into a self contradiction. To do this you have to know your opponents position, as well as your own fairly well. I mean really know it, not just what the talking points are.

It will work. Danger: It is possible that he could end up converting you. Depends on how good you are and how good he is. From your despcription, I don't think he is that good.

[Raenelle]

30. Yes, treat him with respect, and remember people change their positions

one step at a time. Don't be too far to his left. Take him where he is and gently reason with him, just a shade to his left.

[lumpy]

24. Really hard to believe this

A state U? How long have you been in this class? Is he a visiting teacher or your permanent instructor? What were the reactions from other students in your class? Sometimes instructors use provocative
subjects or lecture to provoke spirited discussion.

[sangh0]

25. Get him kicked out of the program

by gently expressing your own opinion in a way that doesn't directly address his views (you don't want to give him anything to use against you, so don't criticize him or his views explicitely) but makes it clear that you disagree and disapprove of his opinions on the issues. When he reacts hostilely (and take my word for it, he will react with anger), pay attention and report any racist, sexist, homophobic, bigoted, etc remarks to the administration. Make sure that your complaints are not personal. Your complaints should be based on this person's contributions to the creation of a "hostile environment" at the university.

[Beaker]

26. start by getting a "Jesus was a Socialist" T-shirt made up...

and then boink his wife.

[peacetalksforall]

27. Several ways

Recognize always that he is demanding attention. That type wants to shock. He expects the usual response and argument and doesn't mind being bored by his own repetitive (ill)logic.

Always keep it in the forefront so that you don't react and only respond with a slight smile as if you're being entertained rather than enlightened. Let him know you're studying him. When you're really frustrated...say or sing yeah, yeah, yeah with a big smile.

Then, consider a minor in psychology, become an expert, and teach the rest of us.

He wants to throw a punch and expects a matching reaction. Come at him with lateral questions. He may never know what you're doing, but you'll get some good practice in lateral thinking and develop the ability to avoid useless arguments.

Make him seek out a better target. Let him know that you're open to a serious one on one if he is open to it (with the idea being that he will have no audience to perform for).

Then, for fun...tell him young children are tree huggers. Ask him if the fact that his wife is a hippie is the reason he talks so much or the reason he wants to be a preacher. Ask him if he preaches in bed. Ask him if he forbids his children (or will forbid his future children) to hug trees.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

28. Yes, try using cliches on the guy

they work really well on obnoxious, argumentative people -- "well, to each his own," "different strokes for different folks" and so on. Collect a whole bunch to have ready for him and stay nice to him and friendly and light.

He is an insecure person and if he can't dominate the conversation with you, he will get tired of trying and leave you alone.

[Cat Atomic]

29. It'd be interesting to talk with him about the scourge of fundamentalism.

Let him think you're referring to Iran or Afghanistan when you talk about oppression, censorship, executions, that sort of thing. Then say, 'no- I'm talking about Christian Fundamentalists'.

It's too bad these guys can't see that they're literally the same as the Ayatollah Khomeini and his crowd. Or the Taliban... same mindset.

But I suppose that mindset is precisely the reason they can't see it. Odd world, odd world.

[enki23]

31. you won't convince him, so just fuck with him.

it can be fun.

[liberalitch]

32. here, here

fucking with conservatives has become a favorite past time of mine.

[Solomon]

33. That's what I say. Have

fun! They are an endless source of amazement as they try and wiggle out of common sense.

[knight_of_the_star]

42. Please do!

Fucking with fundies and conservatives has ALWAYS been my favorite sport, especially since it is hunting season ;).

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Redleg]

35. Avoid him or take passive-aggressive actions against him.

He sounds like a real freak. Next he will tell you that God appointed Bush as president.

[Nevernose]

36. I so LOVE the anti-taxers

And their mindless drivel of how the income tax "unconstitutional."

Amendment XVI:The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Print it out and tape it to his desk before he shows up next time. The anti-taxers HATE it when you bring up the 16th amendment.

[LibertyorDeath]

37. I would be banned from DU and investigated by the FBI if I said

"How do you DEAL with this kind of nonsense on a practical basis?"

[SemperEadem]

38. I'd make sure his wife hears what he's said about her

tape record the class and then find out his address and mail it to her so that she can hear just how her husband stands by his vow of cherishing her with his disparaging and debasing remarks about his own wife.

[roguevalley]

39. Get him to admit to biblical infallability and then find all the absurd

stuff from the Old Testament and stick it to him at
every little opportunity. My guess is he won't stick
around.

[roguevalley]

40. Use him and his views for your dissertation and make it on religious

intolerance. Consider how intolerant Christianity
has become in some denominations. You have a beautiful
opportunity to use this for good.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

44. Tell his wife that you're a tree.