My Real Memoir
I’d lived in a blissful bubble most of my life, first as a dreamy, self-absorbed only-child, and then as “the clever kid” in elementary school and as “the talented guy” in high school, and finally, with my band, as our little suburb’s best hope for fame.
But when my musical hero Sam Cooke sang “A Change is Gonna Come,” I decided I was ready for the world outside my bubble. And then Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated, and children were massacred in My Lai. Was I ready for that world?
I was a pacifist–apart from our enthusiasm for 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dad and I could barely converse without shouting about Vietnam. So, yes, I was against the war, but apart from thinking Jane Fonda was talented and looked super-hot in a space bikini, I considered her hopelessly naïve. And, although I loved hippie ideals (I saw the stage version of Hair twice that semester), I considered “make love, not war” an affably limited worldview. Yes, I knew what I was against. But what I was for? Now that I was outside the me-bubble, what did I believe in? Well…
- I believed I’d found the perfect free parking spot when, on my first day of college, I hid my pea green Volkswagon in the overgrown gateway of a long-demolished mansion.
- I believed I’d found the perfect way to remember the Latin names of eighteen different kinds of frogs for my Biology class—by singing them to the tune of “Hey Jude.”
- And I believed I could master Symbolic Logic if I just stuck with it, despite the fact that students regularly shut their textbooks, muttered something obscene, and left never to return. The class had gone from thirty-five to seven students by the time I waved the white note-paper-flag of surrender.
Maybe Folklore & Mythology would reveal the meaning of life. At the start of the first session, 350 students applauded as rock star professor Dr. Glickman entered, wind from nowhere ruffling his graying fringe, and announced, “A myth is something that cannot be proven. Nothing can be proved. Therefore this class is about Everything!” Hence…
He required us to attend the worship service of “a religion not your own.” Having never attended any worship service, except a Latin mass with a guy in a bathrobe feeding us tiny crackers, my options were wide open.
So I attended my girlfriend’s church. I expected religious fluff, but found it surprisingly chewy. “The message was pretty meaningful,” I wrote in my class journal. And Dr. G responded, “You’re not thinking! There’s nothing ‘meaningful’ about dead, white, European religions.”
Just to see how he’d react, in my next entry I wrote, “I now realize how shallow my perception was, and how hypocritical Christianity is.” The words “Now you’re thinking!” appeared in my returned journal, along with an “F” miraculously turned into an “A,” like water into wine. Until then, I’d considered myself an etched-in-stone atheist. But the minute Dr. G said, “No!”
I started to doubt my doubts.
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
Goodness, your teacher had a limited view of religion–and didn’t seem to realize it’s in the hearts of those who believe, so how can you say it’s all dead?
“A limited view” indeed, Belinda.
Very deep. Makes me think a lot.
Pleased to hear that, Michael.
You’re welcome.
Unintentional reverse psychology! 😆
Exactly, Ana!
Hahaha, joke’s on him…
Nice post
Thank you, T.
My pleasure 😇
Pingback: (Still Not Famous) So Off to College | Mitch Teemley
That “dead” European religion is still kicking, even in non-white, non-European places like China and African countries where it’s dangerous to be a Christian.
Besides, white people need religion, too.
I’m half laughing at your college prof, but mostly I’m angry. I wonder what he said to other students’ positive comments about attending a Baha’i service or a synagogue.
Oh, I suspect he was probably had nice things to say about most all other beliefs, Vera. One of our guest speakers was a manbo (voodoo priestess), and he was very respectful of her.
Sigh.
I had some professors like that. Fortunately for me, I was a Christian when I attended college. Their lame but zealous vindictives against the faith did, however, enlighten me as to the spiritual warfare fought over Truth and lies.
It would be another eight years for me, Rob. And when I did finally begin to consider the claims of Christ (I think you know this), it was C. S. Lewis who mentored me.
Good old Jack. My upbringing had not been evangelical, though my charismatic RC girlfriend (now wife of 47 years) was. A friend from a Bible study during my junior year introduced me to Lewis, via the Space Trilogy.
You and I could not have a finer mentor!
Amen!
I’d love to address that professor about his assumption that “there’s nothing meaningful about dead, white, European religions.” First of all, they’re not dead. There are still millions (billions?) of Protestant and Catholic Jesus-followers. Second, Christianity is not a white religion; there are believers of every race. And third, it’s not European. I suppose you could say it’s Mideastern, since Jesus was born in Israel. No doubt I’d receive an “F” too. So much for free speech–even back then.
Yep. But then, much like the present, as you know, Nancy, Christianity was written off as an authoritarian-patriarchal “western religion.” Whereas, eastern belief systems, along with spiritism, shamanism, magic mushrooms, etc. were considered more free-spirited (although only in the way westerners cherry-picked the parts they liked) and “spiritual.”
Thanks Mitch for sharing your educational journey through life and congrats – you survived the progressive approach to learning and it provided you with ‘riches’ to create!
Thanks, AW!
Education started to go downhill years ago when professors began grading according to who regurgitated their opinions hook, line, and sinker. Better to be a God-fearing plumber. 🙂
nothing ‘meaningful’ about dead, white, European religions.”
Myself being an old Presbyterian in tradition of Puritans of American colonial Massachusetts, I loathe this contempt but I understand why many ascribe to this condemnation. I have found that it is not the religions that are at fault but the inability (or refusal) to actually employ the religious precepts into daily lives. Certainly the least able are those in possession of vast economic or political power.
I like your new profile pic . I took philosophy when I was 🤔, around 21 I guess. It was very eye opening to hear such blatant anti-God talk in a small Texas college . (Not the one I ended up graduating from which is much more liberal). Thankfully I was already a Christian, but it did make me question things a little.
Questions are good. Dr. Glickman could have asked a few more himself, I suspect; he seemed to specialize in rendering quick “authoritative” judgments.
I believe there is value in having a basic understanding of other religions. Otherwise, we Christians would be partial to being judgmental of only our fellow Christians! 😉
I agree, Anonymous.
Hi Mitch,
Life outside the bubble isn’t safe. But if you ate protected on the inside with the Lord the bubble is on the inside.
In Christ, Gary
I think so much belief starts with not believing…..
Good point, Ann. “Belief” may sound like a noun, but it’s really an action verb.
Great post friend
Thank you, Lynn, and good to meet you.
Pingback: Starting to Lose My Way | Mitch Teemley
Pingback: How I Lost My Innocence | Mitch Teemley
Pingback: Was Mary a Virgin? | Mitch Teemley
Pingback: Why I Don’t Do Drugs | Mitch Teemley
Pingback: Looking for a Bigger Love | Mitch Teemley