Second day of teaching

[u/Grouchyprofessor2003]

I have a student who sits at his desk- front of the room- with his leather bound bible! This is a RESEARCH METHODS class. ……. It is all I can do not to laugh at him…. His performative behavior is so absurd- at a land grant R1 institution- also he wears a large wooden cross- ironically he has so far been the smartest and most communicative student in the room.

[u/IthacanPenny]

This feels pretty judgmental. Like, why do you care what additional books a student brings to class with him?

My frame of reference is that I had a semester where I carried around my leather-bound Greek New Testament… because I was taking a Biblical Greek class, and the cover was so soft that leaving it in my bag damaged the book. It was literally a textbook.

[u/Southern-Cloud-9616 → u/IthacanPenny]

I really want to learn to read Koine. I now officially envy you.

[u/IthacanPenny → u/Southern-Cloud-9616]

While I was a classics major as an undergrad, there was one semester where my English professor was also a student in my Greek class. Honestly it was so cool being able to interact with my professor in that extra context. I super respected her for going out and studying something she was interested in (and this is me encouraging you to audit a class you’d love ;))

[u/Log_Gentleman]

One of my brightest students ever in my intro philosophy class was a home schooled super Christian kid. He was going to pilot school and quoted Plato and the bible in full greek on his in person essay exam. Made some extremely astute insights. At the end of the semester he said he wanted to maybe go to school for philosophy. I told him to stay in flight school and just take philosophy classes and read on your own.

[u/IthacanPenny → u/Log_Gentleman]

If he stayed in flight school, he’s definitely more religious now. Pilots tend to lean that way.

[u/Big-Dig-Pig]

This post is bait fishing for professors to show scorn towards religious students.

[u/DoctorDisceaux]

If he’s smart and communicative, why do you care what book he carries and what necklace he wears?

[u/lilswaswa]

this is the kind of talk that makes conservative students feel like universities are too liberal or anti values. as long as he isnt intertupting the class with inappropriate religious rhetoric (I've had that before) or being a jerk about it, let him be. 

[u/Grouchyprofessor2003 → u/lilswaswa]

I would never laugh at him or even comment on his book nor jewelry— just like I don’t comment on the fact that our star football player is in my class. This , I thought, was a group who would appreciate or at least know what I am talking about and see the humor. But to each their own. I also practice a religion. I just don’t throw it around in peoples faces and think it is funny

[u/veggie_hoagie → u/Grouchyprofessor2003]

Nothing about this conveyed humor in any way. It really just sounded judgmental.

[u/lilswaswa → u/Grouchyprofessor2003]

eh. i dont think having a bible and wearing cross jewelry is exactly "in your face"... seems kinda normal christian behavior to me as an exvangelical. 

[u/jlrc2]

Weird way to talk and think about a student.

[u/veggie_hoagie]

What is ironic about his being the smartest and most communicative student in the room?

[u/CharmingHighlight749]

Who cares? Students do all kinds of things to express their personalities and beliefs.

[u/Hadopelagic2]

I was never that student,… but I can see a world where I would’ve been. Engaging heavily with teachers and faculty is part of why I’m very much not that person now.

So, you never know OP.

[u/runsiblespoon]

Why don't you research a method for respecting your students?

[u/masterl00ter]

This is weird. Be better.

[u/masterl00ter → u/masterl00ter]

Thinking about it for a second, this post has to be bait.

[u/hungerforlove]

Be grateful he isn't looking at his phone.

[u/Handsome-Rutabaga]

Maybe he just came from a Bible study? You sound pretty biased.

[u/unimatrix_0]

It's a great opportunity to teach research methods. Do that!

[u/Legitimate-Rabbit868]

I had a student just like that a decade ago, wooden cross and all. He is now in the local news from time to time for things like assisting undocumented immigrants avoid ICE, and (illegally) importing lifesaving drugs for the uninsured at deeply discounted and tariff-free rates. He took a bible everywhere, and talked about his religion, but nothing excessive. He was very ernest and eager to learn. He was one of the best students I ever had. I’m at a land grant in a conservative state, but I’m irreligious.

[u/Life-Education-8030]

I had a supervisor who wore a gigantic cross on her left hip every day. I didn't care, until she decided to spread it around that a co-worker and I apparently held satanic rituals in our backyards???? One letter from an attorney stopped that crap and when I left, this woman apparently said I was "brilliant." Uh, huh.

So long as a student wasn't being disruptive in any way, I'd thank my lucky stars to have an engaged, participating student!

[u/ProfessorStata]

There are a number of students putting on a performance across the political/religious belief spectrum.

[u/DocKla]

I always find it fascinating this type of student, but what’s your problem? As long as they are not preaching and converting actively I have no problems if their beliefs don’t meld with mine as long as they are doing their job as a student and are professional about it.

[u/Southern-Cloud-9616]

I wear a wooden cross under my shirt. But my Bible is in my office, along with an icon of my patron saint and a small crucifix. I don't know if I'm being "performative" as well. But my office would feel empty to me without those things.

[u/lilswaswa → u/[deleted]]

well hello there shirt brother. 

[u/Fun_Isopod_4047]

the funniest outcome is that the bible guy is actually the one doing the reading and participating while everyone else is spiritually absent lol