I am having such a hard time with my classes this semester. I have been having to read a large number of historical novel(written by all women) for my woman's literature class(required class). The one we are quickly progressing through right now is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It has been a difficult read for me especially because of all the commentary from my professor, a very feminist woman who is also very anti christian. Let me begin by saying I do not really like this book, its depressing, but I have to write a paper on this book and my professor will want all the feminist views explored to an extreme. She has stated clearly her belief that Charlotte Bronte was not a christian and that Jane Eyre was merely a moral character and nothing else. I am so irritated because there are some wonderful well thought out examinations of both the authors life and work that shows other wise. I have share this with my professor but she will not listen to any other point of view but hers. I know if I write my paper based on themes of the authors true religion, faith, and views on work and marriage, I am going to get a poor grade for it. If I write the paper how the professor wants I feel like I am being dishonest. I talked this over with two friends who are Christians and they told me to just write the paper as the professor wants it written. They said it does not mean that I agree or believe what I am writing, that I should just say what she wants to hear so I can pass the class??? I was shocked(and still am) I told them I feel like I am lying if I do that. They told me I am making things to complicated and that its just one paper and doesn't mean anything. That is the problem though, for me it does mean something, my name will be attached to it. One friend told me that when she has to do an assignment that she may not agree with, she just separates her personal beliefs for a time and writes what she knows the professor wants to hear. It doesn't mean she believes it just that she is giving the answer they want. Isn't this the same as compromise though?? They are right in one thing though if I keep getting low grades I won't pass the course. I have already had several discussion with this professor(she does not like me) At this point I am thinking of quitting school altogether, I am feeling very disillusioned this morning...
am I wrong about this?

in Him
ellie

Honestly it seems that most if not all my professors believe that historical figures all had no faith or belief in God. They seem bent to push that view no matter what history really tells us. Everything is subjective and open to being rewritten. Makes me very frustrated!!!

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Matt Smith

God bless you! I will pray for you too. There is such a thing as religious discrimination. I've had to stand up to t before and it wasn't fun but God was with me and it turned around.

So yes, the blessed Holy Spirit will show you what to do, and you can't ignore your conscience. I don't think one could get a good grade by writing a paper that one didn't believe in anyway.

I like that dove picture. May He always fill and hover over you.

Blessings,
Sarah

This is a spiritual battle and the way out of this would be to quit. But quitting is not really an answer. When the next problem comes along, how will you deal with it, by quitting? Curling up in a ball and hope that it will go away?. I am sure you know the answer.

The two other posters have offered the best advice for this situation. With prayer read the book and ask the LORD to read it with you. Strange as that may sound but He may just put some life into it as you read it. And give thanks for the book. That too sounds strange, but you see the devil wants you to feel anxiety and depressed. Turn it around and just give thanks for the whole thing. And pray for your Prof, she's a soul that is lost that needs Jesus. One of the things about feminism is that they are determined. Regardless of what you believe, she will have to admit that because of your determination as a woman to express what she does not like to hear or know, she should admire you for that. However, if she gives you a low grade, so be it. Leave it with God and let Him look after it. God has a way of turning things around. He has no trouble humiliating us, but when the world does it, He doesn't forget.

Hi, Mark Cahill tells a story of a female student at Purdue University who decided not to participate in a professors assignment which would have caused her to write a paper based on the idea of who she would toss out of a sinking boat in orded to save others, ( someting like that )as a Christian this idea conflicted with her beliefs. She was told to leave the class, but returned the next day anyway, and when the professor saw her he ridiculed her in front of the class and then told her to come up front and explain to the class why she believed what she did. So she came down and with Bible open for the next 20 minutes or so she shared the gospel. So I say be bold with what Christ has given and let the chips fall where they may.

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Alan Taylor

Ellie:

When I was in college, I chose the topic of the creation / evolution debate for a paper. I turned in a brief proposal paper with my intended topic and stance. My professor pulled me aside and strongly suggested I choose another topic. I did not. I felt it the topic I should write about and I did. He did not agree with many of the points I made in the paper and said so in his notes as he graded the paper. But because of the way I had presented my arguments and phrased my statements I still received an A on the paper. If you believe you should write the paper a certain way, I think you should. Pray about it and ask the Lord to guide your mind and pen as you write. The Holy Spirit can inspire you to write even such a seemingly mundane paper in a way that captures the attention of your professor.

Travis

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Travis

Hey
Thank guys for your responses. I am really grateful for what you have shared. This particular professor and I have already had a couple of go around this semester. I know that quitting is not the answer but I am beginning to think that changing my major may be. Lately I am loosing my love for writing and appreciation for some of my favorite fictional works has faded or been tainted by others warped views. Honestly the more I look at what I am "being taught" as required to get a degree the more I wonder what or how is this suppose to help me in my career choice anyway? Maybe I am just being short sited and not looking at the big picture...or maybe for me Jesus has changed that picture so entirely that things that use to be important to me just aren't any more? I don't know.

I do plan to pray about this more. I have until Monday to work it all out. Thank you mj for affirming for me that what I was seeing is there in the book. I think it amazing that I can read this book and see Gods influence in the authors life and my professor wants to take these same passages of the story and turn them into inappropriate scenes and demonstrations of a rebellious and defiant woman fighting against christian men.

in Him
Ellie

Oh I did have some fun today though, my first cooking class. I really enjoyed it and I really had a blast. The teacher let us get right into cooking and I helped prepare a lovely Mango, Shrimp, an Avocado Salad. It was actually really good too:)

Greetings snufalapagus