Discussing personal views on politics/controversial issues with faculty

[Two Espressos]

My undergrad really alienated people for their views. If you weren't apart of a certain "club," then many people looked down on you for being "narrow minded" or just stupid. There was a huge prejudice there.

The time that showed this most was when I was friends with the vice president of our school's Pride Alliance and I would eat lunch in their office with him. One time an impromptu meeting started up while I was there, and most people in there didn't know me so I supposed they assumed they were in like minded company. Somehow they got onto the topic of bringing a band to one of their events, and one of the bands (who was pro-LGBT) was also a Christian band. The main coordinated after bringing this up immediately took them off the list saying "We don't want fucking Christians at our events" as I sat there, a straight Christian. I'd like to point out that everyone was in agreement on this topic.

One of numerous examples!

Like another poster mentioned, this anti-Christian bias stems from the shit LGBT people have taken over the years from Christians.

I think another contributing factor is the negative portrayal of Christians/Christianity in secular media. As a gay, non-religious person coming from a Christian family, I can definitely relate. There are a lot of crazy, bigoted Christians, but there are plenty of Christians who are both accepting and down-to-earth.

That being said, in the situation you mention, I don't see the harm in having a pro-LGBT Christian band at the event. I think they judged them too hastily.

[Agradatudent]

That being said, in the situation you mention, I don't see the harm in having a pro-LGBT Christian band at the event. I think they judged them too hastily.

Maybe I was not clear, they were implying they didn't want *any* christians coming to the events, including the band. They made that clear in the discussion that followed...

Yes, I could have spoken up, but it was pointless. I was still going to be there somewhat often, and I didn't want to be treated differently (which from the conversation I felt I would have been).

Again, not all gay people have that bias, and I think the ones who do, regardless, are wrong. It's just another prejudice-- one that some people feel justified in having. You can't on one hand denounce bigots, and be a bigot in some way yourself. Anytime you dislike/hate a group for any reason is prejudice...

It's like that quote from Goldmember (Austin Powers 3) that was really funny but sadly true in alot of ways where his dad said "There are 2 things I hate: people who are intolerant of other people's culture, and the dutch. [they just weird me out<--paraphrase]"

[TheSquirrel]

As far as I'm aware, at my (Political Science) department, there's no "rule" that you can't discuss your personal views with faculty. That said, most professors would probably discourage voicing such personal opinions, as they believe that they have no place in academic research.

Based on my personal experiences, I'd strongly strongly discourage talking about such controversial topics with *anyone* at school -- be it your own supervisor, or other students. That's if you value your academic career. There are a lot of people (yes, even profs) who might be willing to use what you say against you, so weigh your words very carefully. My supervisor and I, it turns out, do not hold very similar world views. The discovery hasn't dissuaded him from supervising my work, but it has, I feel, affected our personal interaction. I feel less comfortable around him than I previously did.

I also had a fallout with another PhD student in my department, following our discussions of Quebecois separatism. I didn't mind his views, but he seems to have developed a huge dislike for me as a result of my views on the issue (a very sensitive issue here in Quebec).

Edited July 27, 2011 by TheSquirrel

[ktel]

Oh man. I would not touch Quebecois separatism with a 10 foot pole....A very sensitive issue is an understatement.

[TheSquirrel]

Oh man. I would not touch Quebecois separatism with a 10 foot pole....A very sensitive issue is an understatement.

Yeah. He was pushing my buttons, which is why I got into the discussion to begin with. Oddly enough, he's not even Canadian(/Quebecois), but a citizen of France.

Edited July 28, 2011 by TheSquirrel

[InquilineKea]

It's often pretty easy for many of us - most academics hate Republicans. Republican-bashing seems to even be a bonding experience among academics.

Though things can diverge quite quickly beyond that. I generally have very libertarian views on most issues, and I'm kind of scared that some faculty members might not like that

Edited July 30, 2011 by InquilineKea