Just Because He Could

So remember that thing about some professors being able to look beyond religious restrictions. Well, this teacher does that, and he's pretty awesome too.

From an email he sent our class this afternoon:
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So I know that school and stress sometimes go together. 

 

Just in case you may be feeling a bit stressed, following is a little test. For it to work you need to read the following before opening the attachment.

 

I'm not sure exactly how it works, but this is pretty accurate. The attached photo has two almost identical dolphins in it. Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study of a group revealed that in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. If there are many differences found between both dolphins, it means that the person is experiencing a great amount of stress. Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a vacation. 

 

Keep going. Work hard. Learn. Go to class. Do your homework. You can do it. You're great. 

Putting God in a Box? We Would Advise Against That.

I found something new today: Contrary to popular opinion, religious schooling can cohabitate with science classes.

I have to say, I wasn't really expecting scientific teaching to be able to flourish with religious beliefs, but a professor of mine showed me wrong. As I was originally planning on attending a four-year to major in biology, I stocked my semester with science foundations (FDSCI101, BIO199, and other things of that nature). I hadn't really thought of worrying over doctrines and scriptures until the first day of class. As my last name is usually at the beginning of attendance lists, I wasn't too shocked when they called my name. However, what they said next threw me.

"Would you pray for us?"

Um... excuse me?

Yep, in LDS culture, it's custom to pray before each and every class, give thanks to the Lord, and bless that the Holy Ghost will be with us as we learn. (It would have been nice if someone told me this earlier.)

Well, I have to say, my science class quickly learned I was a non-member. Thankfully, the questions were saved for a later date, just as the explanation of that afternoon will also wait.

Back to the science...

We began to study the beginnings of the Earth, and trust me, I was bracing myself for a good ol' bashing of Darwin and the Big Bang. (Yes, ignorant, but somewhat expected from me.) However, it never really came. My professor (whom I call 'Brother So-and-So), a geologist, was rather kind and unbiased to any one side. He'd discuss the creation of elements (the whole hydrogen-helium thing) and then quickly toss in a scripture passage or something related to what we'd just learned. (Kind of like subliminal messaging? I thought so at first, but I have to say, it's grown on me.) It's a bit difficult to put into clear words, but somehow the mixture of religion and science found themselves in harmony.

We'd talk about God's creations, and then quickly jump to Darwin and evolution. There would be an explanation into the distance between the sun and the earth, and then, our professor's favorite motto, "You can't put God in a box."

Interesting? Yes. Completely unrealistic? I don't think so.

I have found that not all professors are as entrapped by the religion as others (and I say entrapped, not in a bad way, but rather, they are opened-minded).

Now into my second semester, I've come across teachers who refuse to look at anything other than scriptures, and I've found others who are willing to see beyond doctrine and humor other ideals. I had a professor last semester who, when teaching art and music, refused to show Greek paintings and statues due to nudity.

That was just weird, at least to me. However, I can't look at every professor under the same scrutinizing magnifying glass.

They're people, just like everyone else.

From the Beginning

So, let's start, as the title says, from the beginning.

You can just refer to me as the college student that we all know; the one struggling to find a definitive path for the future, without, hopefully, screwing up their chances at a decent one. Unlike most college kids, I didn't try to get as far away from my family as possible. I actually, weirdly, decided to stay close. In the end, I chose my college, not by my career choice, but by the idea that, if I wanted to visit family, I would only have to take a quick, three-hour flight and tada! I would be at their doorstep.

Word to the underclassmen: don't do that. Choose your college based on what you want. Don't be silly, like me.

Now, I'm in a college that is as far a cultural shock as being sent to the moon in your birthday suit.

This isn't to say that I don't like my university (Brigham Young University - Idaho). I guess it should be noted that I'm not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nope, I'm Catholic. So, I guess some people may understand why I feel just a little bit out of place. The Mormons are wonderful people, really they are. Let's just say that their teachings sometimes get in the way of learning.

Now, as to not offend, if you are attending a religious school, kudos to you. It's just not for everyone. Yes, I'm Catholic, and yes I practice, but I'm not all incense and Latin hymns. (I almost just spelled 'hymns' wrong. That should be a clue.)

Okay... so beyond everything else, this blog stands to document my stay here at BYU-Idaho in the lovely city of Rexburg, Idaho. This will be a third-party, stepping-away-from-the-scriptures-look into what it's like to truly be a fish out of water. I'll be learning the LDS religion as if I'm starting seminary (which I'm told, is like the elementary school of learning the religion). I'll point out the good, the bad and the ugly, hopefully staying away from offensive thoughts. (I was raised to respect each other, regardless of opinions.) These will be the facts; what I see, how we as students learn, and basically, what happens inside the walls of BYU-Idaho, from a non-member's point-of-view.

We can now throw the proverbial champagne bottle; let it begin.