WHAT WOULD YOU DO? - OUR READERS

Should She or Shouldn't She?
What would you do in this situation? Readers contribute suggestions

Scenario:

Elizabeth is a 19-year-old sophomore at a major East Coast university. She's taking a Western-Civ course from a professor who's extremely secularist in his approach to the subject matter and hostile to religion, especially the Catholic Church. What started early in the semester as the professor's occasional anti-Catholic remarks has blossomed into a constant harangue against what he calls the "anti-scientific" and "superstitious" Catholic Church. Elizabeth received a solid Catholic formation and isn't swayed by the propaganda. The problem, however, is that Elizabeth knows that two of the Catholic students in the class are being confused by the professor. She's tempted to lay low and endure the anti-Catholic rhetoric, so she can get through the class unscathed (she must get a good grade in this course to keep her scholarship). But she knows that unless something is done, the other two students run the risk of losing their faith. What would you do?

I'd speak to the professor outside the classroom and appeal to his secular world view. First, I'd tell him his harsh words about the Catholic Church "hurt me deeply" because he was "pushing his views" on the class, and that this betrayed the university's commitment to "inclusiveness." I'd tell him I had expected a lot from him and I was disappointed. Then I'd tell him that one cannot examine Western civilization without examining the Catholic Church and its positive impact on society. I'd remind him that were it not for the Church, Western civilization might not even exist. I'd point out that most European universities were founded by the Catholic Church to foster the love of knowledge. If this tack produced no fruit, I'd confront him in class the next time he spewed his vitriol. Though Elizabeth is worried about losing her scholarships, she should remember that she serves the Good Shepherd who tends His flock and will provide for her.

Tim Brox, Lincoln, NE

There are biblical principles that should guide Elizabeth in her course of action. First, the risk of other students losing their faith outweighs her personal risk of a poor grade (cf. Acts 4:18-20). Second, she should challenge the professor on his claims about the Church and defend the Faith (cf. 1 Pet. 3:15-16; Matt. 10:32) and help the class see the other side of the issues. Elizabeth could help the other students by approaching them privately after class and discussing the issues that are causing them confusion. She could then explain the Church's position on those issues. If she doesn't know the answer, she could get solid explanations and resources from a Catholic apologetics organization. She should approach the professor with respect and charity. Her goals are to help him look at the issues honestly from both sides and, hopefully, to cause him to cease his classroom attacks on the Church. She could offer him something written by a Catholic that would give a well-reasoned explanation of the issues he raises. If he continues to assail the Church, she should bring his anti-Catholic bias in the classroom to the attention of the university administration.

Joseph Ranalli, Murrieta, CA

The best approach, I think, would be for Elizabeth to ask him questions in class. For example: Has the Catholic Church always been bad, or was there ever a time when it was good? If so, when? When exactly did the Church go bad? What were the signs? Can you list any positive contributions the Catholic Church has ever made to civilization? What other religions do you feel made a greater contribution to civilization?

There are other tough questions she can ask: Who provided the only learning to be had during the years following the collapse of the Roman empire? Who founded the university system as we know it? Are the disciplines in your own field (e.g., history, philosophy, political science) built in any way on the wisdom that was refined over the centuries by the Catholic Church when it was in charge of the educational institutions of Europe? Do you feel you owe any debt of gratitude to the Catholic Church for preserving the ancient documents that are so crucial to your academic study of Western civilization? Do you think the architectural achievements of the Catholic Church over the ages, such as Europe's many Gothic cathedrals, are an important contribution to Western civilization? How do you explain the fact that the Catholic Church started Europe's system of hospitals and orphanages? Did women and children fare better in the pagan world or in the Christian world?

Regarding Catholic "superstition": Were the pre-Christian barbarian peoples of Europe "superstitious"? Did they become more or less superstitious after their conversion to Christianity? The answers to these questions will show that the Catholic Church, more than any other religion or institution, was and is the chief promoter of progress and learning, and the best friend to civilization the world has ever known. Even at the risk of losing her scholarship, Elizabeth must speak up and defend Jesus, and have confidence that He will cause good to come out of any harm she may suffer.

James Louviere, Lafayette, LA

Elizabeth needs to remember that her primary goal is to try to prevent the loss of faith for these two students, especially since this is a common situation where one's faith can be weakened or destroyed. A secondary goal might be to prevent this from happening again. I would suggest establishing contact with both of these students and presenting the other side of the story to them. A good resource would be the wealth of Catholic scholastic writings that refute the professor's errors. Her fellow students need to be reminded of the truth, especially that this professor is only one teacher. I would also be on guard about how I present myself, as it might just set a drastically different example from the professor's decorum. If she is confident that she has mastered the material to ensure success on the exams, she might then challenge the professor in front of the class, but her challenge should be restricted to his ideas and be presented in a courteous, humble tone. If she chooses this option, she'd better be willing to risk public ridicule, as he may ignore her tone and take the challenge personally. When the class is finished and the grades are issued, I'd definitely file a formal complaint with the department and the university. Some professors take liberties because they think they can get away with it. He probably won't lose his job, but if the university is a credible institution, the complaint could cause him some headaches. If he gets the message that continued mocking and attacks on Catholicism will cause him problems, he will eventually stop.

Robert Kumpel, San Diego, CA

Elizabeth has a legitimate concern regarding her scholarship. However, she shouldn't let this attack on the Catholic Church, which is also a personal attack on her, go unchallenged. As long as she's careful in her approach, she shouldn't suffer repercussions that will endanger her scholarship and her grade shouldn't be affected.

Sometimes we have to go around the block to reach our neighbors, and that is exactly what Elizabeth should do. If she were to approach her classmates directly outside the classroom they may get turned off. They might even misconstrue her passion as fanaticism. However, if they witness her confidence in the classroom as she addresses her professor, they may also regain confidence and strength in their Catholicism.

A good professor both teaches and learns from students, and most professors claim to be "open-minded." Assuming this, if Elizabeth offers a response in a succinct and humble fashion, she may get a fair hearing. She may one day have to argue her grade, so she should begin documenting the professor's remarks. Perhaps she could take a micro-recorder to class and record each lecture. As a defense mechanism, an insecure professor might try to intimidate Elizabeth, so she should respond to selected remarks firmly, but in a humble manner. I emphasize selected because Elizabeth might not want to respond to each and every comment. Obviously Elizabeth will have to have an excellent knowledge of Catholicism and should be prepared to offer sources supporting her positions. Elizabeth should become active in that classroom. If she remains passive and endures the bashing, it will frustrate her for years. I know because I was that passive student, worried about my grade and questioning my Faith during college.

Lorraine Parkinson, Glenolden, PA

I think Elizabeth should start a dialogue with the other students. She should reinforce her arguments or debates with them by reminding them of the truths they were taught during their earlier Catholic education. She should underscore these Catholic teachings with Scripture. Then, when she feels comfortable with her subject matter, she should challenge her professor in a non-confrontational manner. She might say, "Professor, as a Catholic, I was taught that . . ." or "How do you come by this information, professor?" or "Where could I find additional documentation on what you just said?" If the professor becomes hostile, she should make a decision about how much of a risk she's willing to take with her education. If she challenges him and can at least get her fellow students to come back to the truth, she can finish out the semester with a clear conscience.

I would also find out if the head of the department allows students to critique the professors. I would take advantage of such an opportunity and I would also attempt a dialogue with the professor after the class is finished. At the very least, she should speak out and make an attempt to keep her fellow Catholics on the right track.

Barbara Matousch, Collingswood, NJ

Next issue's scenario . . .

Mormons are making serious inroads in the town of Riverdale, converting large numbers of lukewarm Catholics. One morning, Miguel is having his coffee and reading the newspaper. He spots a large advertisement for an anti-Mormon seminar at the large fundamentalist Baptist Church across town. This Baptist church is notorious for its anti-Catholicism. In fact, six months earlier, it hosted an anti-Catholic seminar. Miguel's dilemma is that, although this seminar has nothing to do with Catholicism, many Catholics will attend it. Miguel wants to help his fellow Catholics become immunized against the lure of Mormonism, but he also knows that the Baptists will see this event as a prime opportunity to proselytize Catholics. He wonders what he should do. What would you do?

Send your response to "What Would You Do?", c/o Envoy Magazine, P.O. Box 85152, San Diego, CA 92186. Or, fax your response to (619) 698-3469. Email responses can be sent to editor@envoymagazine.com.