Ask Kate

Dear Kate,

My professor and I have very different religious and political views; however, I'm not one to often voice mine in class. Whenever they assign a paper I write it in a way that I know the professor will like, although I feel it compromises my beliefs. But trying to even debate such things with him/her seems futile, like tires spinning in mud. Is it wrong to write a paper that goes against what I believe only for the grade?

Sincerely,

Slacking Scholar

Dear Slacking Scholar,

Many times we tell lies when we are afraid of what we don't know. That fear of what others will think or what will be found out about us forces us to compromise our beliefs and values. Yet every time we tell a lie, what we fear grows stronger and deeper, embedded into our very being. There is a deeper issue here than your relationship with your professor. Garrison Keillor once wrote, "You taught me to be nice, so nice that now I am so full of niceness, I have no sense of right and wrong, no outrage, no passion." Do not allow the beliefs of superiors and peers to dissuade you from standing up for what you believe in. This doesn't mean to toss aside their beliefs. On the contrary, you must listen to their words, just as you want them to listen when it's your turn to speak. If it is general laziness that is keeping you from standing up to your smug professor, remember the advice of Bodie Thoene: "What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient."

Your professor is certainly allowed to have different religious and political views; however, as long as you complete the assignment wholly and on time, there should be no reason for grade discrimination or negative consequences. Though it may not necessarily be "wrong" for you to write an assignment you don't agree with, it is counterproductive. You are simply "playing school," as I like to call it, and achieving nothing more than practicing to be a great lawyer or car salesmen. A constructive teacher guards students against personal influence and discourages discipleship, inspiring self-doubt, soul searching, and the ability to use critical thinking to reflect on truth. If your professor is not living up to these standards, I suggest that you stop playing the education game and start writing something real.

Best,

KJ