Is it me do college professors insert their religious beliefs into lectures?

Question

I have noticed (as well many friends from other schools) that college professors tend to let their religious beliefs slip out during their lectures. This seems to be the most common with history professors.

My question's are...

A) Has anyone else noticed this?

B) Does it matter?

Answer 1

A. i dont know im not in college, and besides, im homeschooled (Christian program :)

B. no.

Answer 2

None of my did, although I was a science major, so it rarely came up.

Answer 3

Yes it is true, yes it matters, and perhaps as well, they blatantly interject their leftist political views. To unduly and unfairly attempt to influence students is unethical malpractice.

Answer 4

I can only remember one professor who did that.  He was a conservative Christian and using his lectures to promote his views was a source of pride for him.

Answer 5

really? I suppose I've noticed at uni but it's a pretty safe assumption there that most people have no religion - not in any of my classes anyway.

At secondary school it is actually totally forbidden (I won't say against the law, but teachers can lose their jobs over it) If they try to influence kids on politics or religion. My college was also my secondary school (6th form college) so the teachers were well used to not letting their opinions come across and I never knew what they thought about politics or religion....

I'm guessing you are from america - sorry dude, that's harsh, if it bothers you just talk to someone about it (headteacher or whatever) they shouldn't be allowed to push their opinions on impressionable minds. Not saying you're impressionable like, but some kids there still might be.

Answer 6

When I was in college there were a few professors of all subjects that would express their religious beliefs or lack of.  Though most tended to keep those views to themselves.

As for does it matter?

If the course and/or topic, is about something pertaining to religion or how religion played a significant role in the matter then an open and honest discussion about religion might be appropriate.  

This would often be true in history classes as religion has played an important part of most cultures.  Both positively and negatively.  What would really make the difference is, does the instructor make a distinction especially with the negative aspects between the leadership (the people twisting the religion to do wrong things) and the religion itself.  For there is a huge difference.

On the other hand, if the instructor is trying to insult, convert say that religion is wrong, or far worse biasly grade based on a students view of religion, or their faith, then yes it does matter.  Especially if the instructor says something to the nature of “a religious person will never pass my course”.  Then yes it matters very much.  

Though that is an extreme example, there have been some that have said such things.   Most instructors that are that extreme after several complaints being formally filed tend to have an attitude adjustment or are no longer employed at the school.

Good luck with your studies.

May Our Creator watch over you and your family.

Answer 7

I haven't noticed that. Can you give me an example?

I think my sociology teacher is a pinko though.

EDIT: who's this skahhh douche below me. "Logical thinking and rebellious" that doesn't mean anything, does it?

neither does throwing around words like "brainwashed" and "the real truth"

Try making phrases that carry some actual meaning.

Answer 8

I've found my post-secondary to be completely secular.  However, we did use a Fluid Dynamics textbook written by a creationist that has subtle references about how the universe was created thrown in, even though that has absolutely no relevance to the topic.

Answer 9

I had a college algebra teacher who insisted on "witnessing" during every class.

He slowed it down a bit after me and several other students complained to the Dean.

I paid to learn algebra, not to hear a sermon.

Answer 10

(looks down at the bottom of the page)...Oh, look a better question.

Answer 11

I never finished my biology degree but I was fortunate to be studying science almost exclusively.  Non-religious science professors outnumber the religious ones.

If your professor inserts his or her religion where it's not appropriate, challenge them on it.  In front of the entire class.  

Answer 12

A) Yeah, my professer comes out and says everyday that he's a pastor, gets f*cking annoying.

B) No

Answer 13

A. Yes.

B. It depends.  If you realize it, you have the power to decide if you will let it influence you.

I've had science professors who were Christian and I wasn't bothered because I'm also a Christian.

Answer 14

That never happened to me.

I once had a Music Professor (exceptional) mention that he was strongly anti-abortion. No idea how that topic came out.

But the most biased instructor I ever had was a Democrat teaching political science. He made so many callous, partisan remarks that none of the class learned much about either party. I remember one day that he suggested Bush was s******g C. Rice as part of their arrangement. Honestly, I have never met with such bias in any course.

I went to a private liberal arts college.

I'm not religious or a Republican.  

Answer 15

I have honestly never experienced this.

I'm pretty sure my Philosophy professor was an atheist; he never said it directly but he kept giving it away in little hints. I'm sure he tried to be fair though - I hope he didn't mark people down for not being atheists.

Other than that, I can't remember it ever coming up, even indirectly.

Answer 16

I haven't noticed it at all, but why would it matter?  You have a brain and can come to your own conclusions.

Answer 17

yes, I have noticed it, and no, it doesn't matter.  You should be mature enough to have your own beliefs, so what they say shouldn't influence you.

Answer 18

They promote their socialist agenda all the time.

Answer 19

I had an english professor that used the bible for examples of grammar at Michigan State University. I survived, it was just annoying. I blame him for my poor grammar.

Answer 20

One professor let some people promoting an Eastern religion give a talk.  I had a biology professor talk about his family and nature outings for the first 10 mins of class (family pictures and all).

Doesn't matter if I care.  That is his class and his subject.  It isn't high school.  You complain about him, then professors who insert their sexual lifestyle, political affiliation, or social ideologies will also have to worry about complaints too and the school will have to take action.

Everything is connected in the world.

Answer 21

They sometimes do. It depends on the subject.

I don't ever recall a calculus professor or an accounting prof bringing religion into a discussion. But your social sciences like philosophy, humanities (especially any kind of art history), and then sometimes different histories - yeah I remember it happening. Oh, and literature.

Does it matter? I really don't think so. By the time you get to college you should be thinking a bit. Even where I went to college (Bible Belt, USA) there were lots of different religious views represented by my professors. It was an offhanded remark by a literature prof that got me thinking about Paganism. You should be able to take the different political, social, and religious views of your instructors and fellow students. The purpose of college is to expand your views and I think it's appropriate that your educators interject their opinions when it's pertinent.  

Answer 22

DUH!!! They insert their own views in on anything they teach.

Answer 23

Many affluent professors come from a Christian background and rebel against it, while others depended on the Christian churches to fund their college.  They support it...

I prefer the logical thinking rebellious ones.  They have gone beyond the brainwashing and are attempting to find real truth...

Answer 24

A) In Highschool, but my chemistry teacher is a christian. She has made clear her opinions.

B) Yes, it makes me question her competence and  the accuracy of what she teaches me.