Yikes!

[Erinwilcox]

Because I'm a music ed major, pysch is a required course. I have a Christian counselor who directed me to a certain pysch prof. . .nevertheless, I've been reading the text and boy am I scared. Most of the stuff is positively revolting and some of it is downright wicked. How am I supposed to put up with this class and not lose my convictions? I know that a lot of prayer and discussion with my parents (usually I'd say friends as well, but I doubt their parent's would appreciate my discussing the contents of this book with their children, much less letting them see the cover. . .). However, I am still a concerned. Any ideas on how to not compromise my beliefs while in this class? Is it better to keep silent on some issues but raise biblical concerns on others? How should I handle myself? Thoughts everyone?

 

[McWilliams]

Well Erin, as a retired psych nurse I understand what you're saying about the gross distortions of the human psyche!! Not appealing for sure! However, it was during this experience that I gained so much understanding of others, and even myself! I came to see that we're not all just 'normal' people but people with many variations depending on our past experience, genes, whether we have yet come to place faith in Christ, our relationships with siblings, parents, the world and such! Seeing how great an impact all of this has on people certainly is cause to increase not only our understanding of others but our compassion, prayer for the lost, improved communcational skills and relating!
Yes, some of it is extreme and beyond the pale it seems during study but one must know the extreme to better know then what balance and 'normal' is!
Makes one begin to wonder, what is 'normal' anyway!

Much of what I saw in psych was preventable and caused by greatly impaired relating to others! Amazing how so many young people today have come from broken homes and have no skills or common sense so needed for daily living! Hence, they make horrendous decisions due to having minimal or no discernment and acting on first impulse! Such a sad state to see people with much intelligence but miniscule ability to just function at a desirable level in society!
We are so blessed to know Him and to know He will guide us throughout life and be there when we need Him!

I will be praying for you during this study, that our Lord will not only make it bearable but greatly helpful to you also and will both comfort and guide you about all you learn!

 

[Salamon]

Hey well first dont ever worry about talking to me my parents wouldent mind. So if you need to talk feel free to. Also I will be praying for you and I encourage you to pray allot also!
I had to take sociology last semester and though it probably wasn't as bad as Psych it wasn't fun either... You are most definitely going to have to write papers on certain subjects and when you do, write them from a Christian perspective! I know I had to write about some stuff I would rather not discuss or even think about, but I wrote them and tried to reflect God in them as much as I could and I did get good grades on them! Also I dont know if you have already, but let your Professor know that you are a Christian they are usually open to listening to your ideas if they know where you are coming from also if you do receive an assignment that is totally not going to work dont be afraid to at least ask if you can have a different one! You obviously dont want to start arguments in class so sometimes you just have to sit and bear it but when you can it is nice to bring Christian principles into the discussion! I did find it difficult to take quizzes and stuff because what I knew is really the right answer is not. You have to remember your learning about their view on this. It is important to try to do your best even though this class may be set against your principles. You are going to have to learn the principles they teach so you can pass the course their is nothing wrong with knowing what they think as long as you know what is right and wrong...matter of fact it will better prepare you to talk to others about this when you know were they are coming from!
Well I hope this helps a little if you need to talk please dont be afraid to!! God bless, Chris

 

[Erinwilcox]

Then the question would be would Ifeel comfortable discussion such things. . .and the answer so far is no. Discussing many of the topics presented will be awkward enough with my parents. . .still, I am not looking forward to this class. Any more thoughts?

 

[seekingpurity047]

Stand. "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..." Eph. 6:14

 

[lmnop9876]

i'm studying to be a psychologist, and i haven't found anything in my studies that contradicts my Christian faith. i don't know what kind of stuff they teach over there, but here it's just straight science and a lot of much-ignored commonsense. one of our psychology lecturers (in hobart, not my lecturer tho) is actually a deacon or similar in the Orthodox Church.

there are a lot of theories and research results in psychology that you will find are generally true for most people if you think about it, e.g. social learning theory (people learn behaviours by observing others' behaviours & the result of those behaviours); operant conditioning (if we reinforce a behaviour, it is more likely to be repeated: if we punish it, it is less likely to be repeated); attribution theory; the stages of cognitive, social, moral development &c. &c.

please PM me the name of the textbook. i may have used it in first-year or maybe last year.

 

[arunma]

i'm studying to be a psychologist, and i haven't found anything in my studies that contradicts my Christian faith. i don't know what kind of stuff they teach over there, but here it's just straight science and a lot of much-ignored commonsense. one of our psychology lecturers (in hobart, not my lecturer tho) is actually a deacon or similar in the Orthodox Church.

there are a lot of theories and research results in psychology that you will find are generally true for most people if you think about it, e.g. social learning theory (people learn behaviours by observing others' behaviours & the result of those behaviours); operant conditioning (if we reinforce a behaviour, it is more likely to be repeated: if we punish it, it is less likely to be repeated); attribution theory; the stages of cognitive, social, moral development &c. &c.

please PM me the name of the textbook. i may have used it in first-year or maybe last year.

What he said.

Also it's important to remember that in modern times, Christians have gained a reputation of being neanderthals. Indeed, the anti-intellectualism I received on the Baptist forum, simply for claiming that the Sun does not revolve around the earth, taught me (if nothing else) that this reputation isn't entirely undeserved. As such, it's important for Christians to show that we are not afraid of science, nor are we anti-science.

I think you'll ultimately find that the issues discussed in social science courses are not particularly anti-Christian, though they will certainly challenge a few of your preconceived notions. And what could be better than to break down some of the "traditions of men" that you may have picked up over the years? If one's faith could be destroyed by exposure to legitimate science, then one's faith probably wasn't there to begin with. And I know that you have quite a strong faith, Erin. Therefore, I'm sure this will be a positive experience for you.

 

[Erinwilcox]

What?!? The sun doesn't revolve around the earth?!? You've got to be kidding me!!

Just joking. . .yes, I saw how things were when you mentioned that. . .I mean doesn't every second grader know that the earth revolves around the sun? I remember a poem we had to recite one time. . .The planets of the Sun, the planets of the Sun, there are nine planets in the Planets of the Sun. . .etc. etc. etc.

Thanks for your encouragement. I'd appreciate your prayers during this semester since it's going to be long and hard.

 

[bradfordl]

simply for claiming that the Sun does not revolve around the earth

But my beloved brother who warms my heart with his interest in physics, did not Einstein show that all motion is relative to the observer? If that is true, to the observer here on earth, the sun does revolve around the earth, does it not?

 

[arunma]

But my beloved brother who warms my heart with his interest in physics, did not Einstein show that all motion is relative to the observer? If that is true, to the observer here on earth, the sun does revolve around the earth, does it not?

Oh, I hope Erin doesn't mind me defocusing her thread.

There is certainly a relativity principle in physics, which shows that a few observable quantities are observer-dependent. In fact, this principle was known well before Einstein; it was heavily utilized even by Issac Newton. A change of reference frame will alter observed velocities. But it will not alter accelerations. Since the earth is constantly accelerating towards the Sun at a rather high rate (no, that wasn't a typo), the earth cannot be used as a valid reference frame. Indeed any object which is moving in circular motion cannot be considered as a valid reference frame. It is impossible to treat the earth as the center of the universe, unless one invents fictitious forces to act on the rest of the universe. To turn the words of Cardinal Bellarmine on his head: to assert that the Sun revolves around the earth is as erroneous as to assert that Jesus was not born of a virgin.

So the takehome message is: geocentrism = the scientific equivalent of heresy

 

[McWilliams]

i'm studying to be a psychologist, and i haven't found anything in my studies that contradicts my Christian faith.

Well, I certainly never found this to be true, even back when I was working! There was much ridicule of all things 'christian' and everything was considered 'relative' and with no absolutes! Some were quite blatant and staff was not allowed to overtly witness to patients but there were definitely many patients that needed and received my prayers!
The ridicule and hostility toward Christianity by many psychologists and psychiatrists is common. However, there was a time when I was privileged to work on a christian 'unit' where a christian psychologist cared for the patients.
I do agree Erin that issues will come up that challenge your faith, but also agree that you will deal with it without your faith being altered!
Our confidence is in Him and Isaiah 26:3 has seen me through some trying times!

 

[bradfordl]

Oh, I hope Erin doesn't mind me defocusing her thread.

There is certainly a relativity principle in physics, which shows that a few observable quantities are observer-dependent. In fact, this principle was known well before Einstein; it was heavily utilized even by Issac Newton. A change of reference frame will alter observed velocities. But it will not alter accelerations. Since the earth is constantly accelerating towards the Sun at a rather high rate (no, that wasn't a typo), the earth cannot be used as a valid reference frame. Indeed any object which is moving in circular motion cannot be considered as a valid reference frame. It is impossible to treat the earth as the center of the universe, unless one invents fictitious forces to act on the rest of the universe. To turn the words of Cardinal Bellarmine on his head: to assert that the Sun revolves around the earth is as erroneous as to assert that Jesus was not born of a virgin.

So the takehome message is: geocentrism = the scientific equivalent of heresy

Oh you dry, argumentative physicists! Do you have to take the fun out of everything?

I love it. Keep apprehending all these complicated yet pristine attributes of creation, and someday you may be able to explain quantum theory in language even an ox like me could understand.

SDG,

Brad

PS. Thread hijack over and out

 

[arunma]

Oh you dry, argumentative physicists! Do you have to take the fun out of everything?

Not at all! Physics is fun. Heck, I'd go so far as to say that physics comes close to the very definition of fun!

 

[CCWoody]

Just joking. . .yes, I saw how things were when you mentioned that. . .I mean doesn't every second grader know that the earth revolves around the sun? I remember a poem we had to recite one time. . .The planets of the Sun, the planets of the Sun, there are nine planets in the Planets of the Sun. . .etc. etc. etc.

Better update your rhymes: There are eight planets in the Planets of the Sun.

BTW, think of it as being a spy in the enemies camp. No one is forcing you to believe it, only to learn it.

Recognize that all true Christians will be Calvinists in glory....

Your friendly neighborhood Cordial Calvinist
Woody.​

 

[Erinwilcox]

Pluto is a planet. I don't care what anyone else says!!!

Today in psych, I learned that spanking is abusive and will lead to hostility/violence later in life.

 

[Salamon]

I agree!!! Pluto is a planet!!! And also Mickeys dog!

 

[arunma]

Pluto is a planet. I don't care what anyone else says!!!

I agree!!! Pluto is a planet!!! And also Mickeys dog!

Even before Pluto was a planet, I used to think that that was not a very appropriate designation for it. The problem with calling Pluto a planet is that several other objects of similar size would also have to be called planets. It's essentially like calling a golf course a mountain range.

 

[Erinwilcox]

Even before Pluto was a planet, I used to think that that was not a very appropriate designation for it. The problem with calling Pluto a planet is that several other objects of similar size would also have to be called planets. It's essentially like calling a golf course a mountain range.

My dear brother Arun. . .you might as well learn now that arguing with Italian women is futile! Pluto IS a planet!

 

[arunma]

My dear brother Arun. . .you might as well learn now that arguing with Italian women is futile! Pluto IS a planet!

Well maybe I'm just trying to hone my argumentative skills.

BTW: arguing with Indian men is equally futile, but this is mostly because socially, we tend to not be that bright. Apparently that went to the women.

 

[PETE_]

Even before Pluto was a planet, I used to think that that was not a very appropriate designation for it. The problem with calling Pluto a planet is that several other objects of similar size would also have to be called planets. It's essentially like calling a golf course a mountain range.

That's why people think physics is no fun...jk

Pluto is a planet. I don't care what anyone else says!!!

Today in psych, I learned that spanking is abusive and will lead to hostility/violence later in life.

I had a physce trained father of 6 on this board lecture me not too lon ago because I did not believe children were born sweet and innocent. He said that they only did bad things because they mimiced adults...Blew my mind. I know what you mean about college though, my daughter has been discussin a paper she has to review written by Marilyn Manson. He states as part of his arguement that "if you do not believe in hell then it does not exist". Our faith is not irrational and God's commands are given for our good. I try to help her formulate statements in reply that show the rationale behind what God has put in place for us to follow without using the classic response of "God says so"


Will be prayin for ya. Good luck.

Pete