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EverReady · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Nobody Cares

This happened in class yesterday. One of my students asked me if I went to church (in front of the class), then proceeded to ask me what my religion was. This actually isn't the first time that this has happened to me. How would you respond? Basically if your catholic then meh, you are the same as everyone, but I'm an atheist, and if I say that, most students can't comprehend how it is possible that someone can think that there is no God. Therefore I never mention this, but I don't know how to respond when asked in front of everyone.

notamiss · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject:

An explanation that in your culture this is a very personal question which is not suitable for discussion in a classroom? Seguing to a discussion of what other kinds of topics are viewed differently in this culture and your home culture.

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

Most students would also not understand "aventista" or "anabautista" or "metodista," and it is off topic. notamiss' suggestion is great, and gets back to cultural differences.

You could counter their question by asking if they had defecated yet today (�te has defecado hoy?) - a question rude even to Mexicans, and too personal.

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

When my students asked about my religion I just said "I am not religious" and left it at that.

thelmadatter · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: religion

I understand the curiousity of most of my students when the subject comes up. While most are not "mocho" or evangelistic, the Church is a large aspect of Mexican culture. So the question does come up naturally at times.

If I were in the US, I would refuse to answer the question as it really is quite inappropriate to ask such a question in class there. But I dont really think it is so inappropriate here. I think to ask if they have defecated is grossly insulting... they are asking a cultural question akin to asking you if celebrate the 4th of July (or whatever secular celebration applies in your case)...

While I dont think we should get testy over such questions, it is best to avoid them as much as possible (add politics to that mix as well). I simple yes or no is fine or if they ask about going to church, I dont think it is a sin to answer simply but we should avoid discussion about it. For Baptists and the like, they may not know what that is but they know what Protestant is.

In my case, I am Wiccan and I have been causally asked my religion in class. I know they have no idea what Wicca is (as many people dont), so when Im invariably asked what that is, I tell them it is too difficult or would take too long to explain and the best thing for them to do if they are really curious is look it up in Wikipedia (its done pretty well). (I somehow doubt many have done so). This not only shifts things away from a sensitive topic (for us) but it allows everyone to save face and for me, allows me to answer honestly and at the same time abide by my belief against proselytizing.

If all else fails, just simply state you are not comfortable discussing it in depth and that is has to do with the culture you are from. Its honest and not insulting.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I tell them the truth, that i am personally not religious, or am a non-believer, but that I am interested in religion because of how much it affects everyone and I like to learn about what other people believe.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Depends on the students. When I taught university students, I would have been happy to discuss religion with them, and they would have been open-minded enough to hear alternative views.

If you're teaching young prepa kids in a Catholic school, that might not be the best approach... you'd probably be better off to say that's personal and that you'd prefer to discuss it after class.

MO39 · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject:

I work only with adults. This question doesn't come up much, but, when it does, I tell them I'm Jewish, but not at all observant. This may or may not lead to an interesting discussion. The only Jews many Mexicans in Mexico City are aware of belong to the Orthodox community in Polanco or are the very wealthy ones who live in the Lomas. I think it's useful for them to know I'm Jewish and am neither Orthodox or rich!

CharlieBaloney · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 52 Location: Ciudad de Mexico

I teach in a Catholic (Opus Dei) prepa and I have been asked questions of a religious nature. I don't find them as intrusive as, have you been to jail, or do you wear boxers or briefs (which I've also been asked). I figure they reflect curiosity.

I answer depending on the question, and reflecting pretty much how I answered similar questions during my job interview to the effect that I have an open mind on religious questions. And if someone asks me do I believe in God, I tell them they need to define the term before I can answer.

So far, it's worked out, and they usually don't pursue it because (unfortunately) TV, videogames or whatever have made them so distractable, that if they don't get a black-and-white answer they just go on to something else.

Charlie

thelmadatter · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: jewish

MO.. you might appreciate this... once I had a student make a mild off-color remark about Jews to which I responded "Hey, Im from New York, which is the next best thing to being Jewish!" I dont know if they got to joke or whether the student was completely befuddled but it nipped that train of thought right in the bud.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: jewish

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

I personally find it absurd to talk about religion with your average hypocrital Catholic here and be the one getting frowned at because I have no religion! You know that, 'uh-oh, he's going straight to hell', look you get when you say anything but 'I am Catholic'.

A great retort is, 'So when did you DECIDE to become Catholic?'

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

As always, TLWH, spot on!

I will use that answer, with your permission! Embarassed

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

On a kinder and gentler note, compared to my earlier suggestion, the third of the three "Quaker Questions" goes something like this: "So, when did God become very personal in your life?"

Also, we can tell our students that not all native speakers of English are Christians, and some are Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, atheists, etc. And that not all Mexicans are good Catholics.

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

yeah, I'm not really sure that this question is appropriate for a language class. I mean, we all get a bit philosophical at times, but to put such a question to a teacher, as well as commenting on his or her reception of a new hair style or debut of a new top, is inappropriate; and that's what I tell them.

After all, it's supposed to be a professional environment

[and that's what kills me: I try to be serious with my students, but just end up laughing or making some funny face and shooting myself in the foot, although we have a great time]