Am i wrong?

Question

I know this will be a silly question maybe.I  am a Christian and really into it. I am taking a philosophy class because i need that for my major And we need to read a book called Why i am not a Christian by Bertrand Russell im sure some of y'all know about that book.  But we need to read & write a paper about it And i am thinking how can i write a paper on something that is the opposite of what i believe. 😒 i am in college by the way i didn't even know they have students do this idk why i think that. So i guess what yall think should i just write a paper or talk to my professor?

Answer

Write the paper what other people believe has nothing to do with what you believe. I'm not microbiologist but if I have to write a paper based off a book by a microbiologist then I'll do it.

Now if they expect you to write a paper based off why YOU are not a Christian then that's another story.

Answer

This is a perfect way to expand your horizons and learn others perspectives. It's a great lesson to learn-just because others aren't Christian doesn't mean they're not good people.

Answer

Being in college is about being challenged. You can't only read and write about things that you 'believe' in... write the paper, and learn something along the way.

Answer

Part of college courses and especially philosophy is to study other people's ideas and belief systems, in fact you will probably find that you disagree more than than you agree on a course like this.  It helps you learn different perspectives and respect them while learning why you believe certain things yourself.  Relish in an assignment like this because it will either open your eyes to a different way of thinking or reaffirm things you believe in already.

Answer

Philosophy is all about arguments and how we make them - whether they use sound logic, etc. Focus not on Russell's conclusion, but how he reaches it - does he use sound logic? Are there any flaws in the way he builds his argument? Not flaws as in "He's wrong, because I believe otherwise", take yourself out of it. If you were new to this universe and knew nothing about the Christian God, would his argument be enough to convince you of God's non-existence, or does he miss something (I'm not well versed on this argument, so can't give a concrete example - but for instance, just to be ridiculous - if he said "God doesn't exist because no one has ever seen him, and we can only trust our eyes." Well, then that's an extremely flawed argument, because there's a lot of things that exist that we can't see - or what does that mean to the blind, etc.) 

I once wrote a paper on Descartes "I think therefore I am" argument, where Descartes tried to prove the existence of things starting from that first principle...and I basically argued that he couldn't and therefore nothing existed...of course, that seems like a stupid conclusion to reach, because obviously things exist, but my point was that he hadn't argued effectively, not that he was wrong or right, but that his ARGUMENT was wrong. So, examine Russell's argument and try to see where he makes logical leaps, or ignores possibilities because he can't argue against them, etc. 

Best of luck!

Answer

As a fellow Christian, I might struggle with this as well. Then again, it is good to be well versed in apologetics. I agree that you should add some of your own beliefs and insight into the paper. Philosophy is tough -  good for you! And blessings to you, girl!

Answer

I am glad one person here understood my question and answer it amazing

Answer

What I did whenever I was given an assignment in college that didn't go with my beliefs was to go ahead and write the paper, but put in personal statements when applicable. It's ok to disagree, but you have to make it clear that you did the reading and if you're going to disagree provide why.  Use the Bible as a reference, just make sure to cite it properly. "According to the author _______, however in my life I have found (insert verse here) to be true and helpful."  Stuff like that.

Professors usually appreciate a well rounded argument more than just regurgitation of whatever they asked you to read.

Answer

Why can't you write a paper about why you think his argument is faulty? Seems like a great theme to me if you're able to make a cohesive argument for your own side

Answer

Just because you don't believe it doesn't mean you can't write about it. You probably aren't understanding the prompt.

Am i wrong?

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