I love Christmas, probably more than anyone I know. I have boxes upon boxes of decorations, all of Manheim Steamroller's albums, and multiple copies of Holiday Inn. At home. I don't take that stuff to work. One because everything is heavy and a lot of work to take to the office for the few weeks I'm there before leaving for break, but there's another reason. Who am I to have an influence in someone else's decision making. I advise a group of students who probably spend as much time in my office that I do. I like these kiddos, but they're just that. They haven't had many of the life experiences that I have had and they come from a region that is heavily grounded in religion. They haven't gotten to the point of questioning their religion because that may not be socially acceptable. Therefore, who am I to shape their opinion. I may not be their role model, but I like to think that sometimes I have an influence in their lives, and I don't want to influence their ideals.
I spend a lot of my time talking to students. We talk about significant others, programming, school work, why the laundry machines won't work, anything really. During this time, I ask questions, so many questions, it's gotten to the point I have to stop asking my friends questions when we hang out. I believe that when students walk into my office, they shouldn't come in expecting an answer to be given to them. If a student walks into my office and sees paraphernalia promoting one religion over another, promoting drinking or drug use, or promoting other issues that arise throughout the student's development, they may take the easy way out and accepts beliefs instead of challenging their own viewpoints. I do love Christmas, but I love my students and want to see their successes over a tree and some lights for a few weeks.
Also, who says I'm right. I believe what I believe, we'll at least I think I do, I don't know. I haven't fully developed myself when it comes to religion and spirituality. Gosh, I have no idea. I have friends that go to church on Sundays and I guess I wouldn't mind going, but then when the pastor gets up to give his sermon, he wants me to give him some money. Excuse me, there are starving children in Africa, and you want money to keep the lights on so you can pray for the children....uh, no. That's where my biggest problem with the whole organized religion comes in. I spend an hour in a building to listen to someone tell me about how I should go volunteer and be a good person. But for that hour, I'm sitting on my behind and most Linley dozing off or going through my grocery list to make sure I don't forget anything.
I remember when I was younger, I loved going to church. I hated the part where I had to sit there for an hour. But afterwards, there were donuts and I got to see my friends and people I only saw once a week. I went to a catholic school until sixth grade. After switching to a public school, I began attending a youth group. I began going so I could see some old friends, but we had fun. To me, it seemed that we were just having fun. We did say a prayer, but we talked about middle school, high school, significant others, drinking, all of that stuff. Eventually they hanged that program and I missed it. I didn't miss it for the prayers and religious teachings, but I missed it for the fact that I had a chance to hang out with people, chat about life, play different games, and just have fun. It was the community aspect.
When I got to college, I found that community aspect outside of the church. I still go on holidays, mainly because my parents do and I know that it makes them happy for me to go, but even at these times it's about the people I see while I'm there that make that hour bearable.
In the course of the last few paragraphs I realized that I have no idea what I'm talking about and I don't have my life and religious/spiritual/faith values figured out. That's why I don't put up Christmas decorations in my office.
I spend a lot of my time talking to students. We talk about significant others, programming, school work, why the laundry machines won't work, anything really. During this time, I ask questions, so many questions, it's gotten to the point I have to stop asking my friends questions when we hang out. I believe that when students walk into my office, they shouldn't come in expecting an answer to be given to them. If a student walks into my office and sees paraphernalia promoting one religion over another, promoting drinking or drug use, or promoting other issues that arise throughout the student's development, they may take the easy way out and accepts beliefs instead of challenging their own viewpoints. I do love Christmas, but I love my students and want to see their successes over a tree and some lights for a few weeks.
Also, who says I'm right. I believe what I believe, we'll at least I think I do, I don't know. I haven't fully developed myself when it comes to religion and spirituality. Gosh, I have no idea. I have friends that go to church on Sundays and I guess I wouldn't mind going, but then when the pastor gets up to give his sermon, he wants me to give him some money. Excuse me, there are starving children in Africa, and you want money to keep the lights on so you can pray for the children....uh, no. That's where my biggest problem with the whole organized religion comes in. I spend an hour in a building to listen to someone tell me about how I should go volunteer and be a good person. But for that hour, I'm sitting on my behind and most Linley dozing off or going through my grocery list to make sure I don't forget anything.
I remember when I was younger, I loved going to church. I hated the part where I had to sit there for an hour. But afterwards, there were donuts and I got to see my friends and people I only saw once a week. I went to a catholic school until sixth grade. After switching to a public school, I began attending a youth group. I began going so I could see some old friends, but we had fun. To me, it seemed that we were just having fun. We did say a prayer, but we talked about middle school, high school, significant others, drinking, all of that stuff. Eventually they hanged that program and I missed it. I didn't miss it for the prayers and religious teachings, but I missed it for the fact that I had a chance to hang out with people, chat about life, play different games, and just have fun. It was the community aspect.
When I got to college, I found that community aspect outside of the church. I still go on holidays, mainly because my parents do and I know that it makes them happy for me to go, but even at these times it's about the people I see while I'm there that make that hour bearable.
In the course of the last few paragraphs I realized that I have no idea what I'm talking about and I don't have my life and religious/spiritual/faith values figured out. That's why I don't put up Christmas decorations in my office.
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