Two Types of Highly Educated Protestants

As much as I hate dualism, there really are only two types of educated protestants (maybe a hybrid third type). And when I say educated, what I mean is exposed and trained in high caliber theology (though, sometimes any subject, theology just emphasizes the dichotomy). That's right--these protestants wanted a saving challenge and went to the challenging schools where they found out that everyone is wrong, and everyone is right.

The first type of good theologically educated protestant is the wholly devoted one. Devout in all senses of the word. You don't care what anyone says, you know what you know, and you love what you love, and you will dedicate your time to that. Go against the grain and argue divine satisfaction for salvation--you are a Luther and Calvin lover, and there ain't nothin wrong with that. Go to your happy clappy church with no shame. Yeah, you know a lot, you know both sides, but you are DEVOTED! And your church needs you to keep their non-traditional traditions going. This protestant has got some extreme combo of commitment and brainwashing happening--but that's ok! You gotta love the zeal.

The second, more common type, is the jaded type. You may have started off as type one, but quickly you realized... God is complicated. Religion is complicated. And everything you learned about the Bible--may not be true! It is heartbreaking... You were in love with a lie, as abusive as that Eminem Rihanna song (Love the way you lie)--yeah THAT jaded. Can anything be redeemed! I don't even know what redemption means anymore!! Regardless, I'll find my place in some church where I agree with less than half of their doctrine/mission/whatever, and even if I don't, at least I know that we'll probably all be ok in the end... Cause God is love. Woopdidoo.

A third, hybrid type, may exist. The highly educated person who is jaded, but holding on to some sort of devotion (see all educated Catholics). This educated protestant is holding out for hope.

...but whatever.

Some Psychology Class Annoyances

I started classes yesterday, and in every class I was reminded why I love and hate psychology so much.

1. Professors not allowing laptops in class.

Okay, I can sort of understand this, but I feel like I am being prejudged. Pretty much every professor uses their laptop in class, and they have a powerpoint, and I like to use my laptop to take notes on the powerpoint! In addition to this, laptops are useful for clarifying information without disrupting the class. And regardless of whether the lappy is in front of me or not, I am not going to pay attention any better if I am bored, tired, or the lecture is bad.

2. The same examples used over and over again!!!!!!

Pretty much in every class there is the stupid pictures of the goblet and faces, and old and young woman, and the professor says something cryptic to the effect of, "Things are not always as they appear..."

Lastly and most importantly:
3. Dumb Questions.

There is always that one person in that one class who annoys the hell out of everyone else with their DUMB QUESTIONS, and it seems like they are all concentrated in the field of psychology... And since there is such a concentration of dumb question askers, there are less people to annoy by the dumb questions, and instead each dumb question creates an opportunity for another dumb question to be asked.

Okay, okay, maybe I am being really judgmental, but for those of you who do not know what a dumb question is, this is how I define it. A dumb question is a question that is asked after the professor just explained the answer of the question, and oftentimes a dumb question can be asked right before the professor gets to the answer (i.e. impatience). The former is much more annoying than the latter, I think. Yesterday, I was amazed at how many times my professor had to say "This will all be explained when Prof. So-and-so comes." But then students continued to ask questions about it, and be like, "Duh, I don't get it..." People! Pay attention! Be patient!

Another category of dumb question is the millions of questions that students ask about assignments and tests. "Do I do it this way or this way?" "Is this going to be on it?" "Do you want this?" Some of these are okay, but in the psych world it just seems ridiculously excessive. Agh stupid people!!!!

In the meantime, I think classes are going to go well. I miss theology class, but I may run to be president of the theology school, so that will keep me nice and close and in control-ish.