I can see clearly now...
Seeing Other Perspectives- it is the act of listening and interpreting other’s point of view. I try to relate and reflect on how their perspective lines up to mine, without biased opinion.
Criteria:
· Willing to listen
· Be respectful
· Be willing to step out of your comfort zone
· Understand that there are difference between points of views
· Try to find common ground and similarities in other’s perspectives
For the Coffee House Conversation class, I had to present and talk about my experience at an event that I had no real knowledge over. Some of my classmates went to a Democratic meeting and another went to listen to a musical performance they have never experienced. After long considerations, I decided that I wanted to attend an Atheist and Agnostic meeting. I wanted to go to the meeting because I was comfortable enough in my faith to go challenge it. My assumptions about atheists or non-believers was that they were cynical, intelligent, and pretentious. At the time my knowledge of people who are agnostic is that they believe in a higher being and an atheist believes in no religion or higher God. The only thing I know about the Texas A&M Agnostic and Atheist organization is that they were the people to have a black sign with white letters, boldly stating something across the lines of “Don’t Believe in God?” The Texas A&M Agnostic and Atheist organization made me very uncomfortable due to the fact that I assumed we were way too different to get along. I could not have been farther from the truth.
When I went to the meeting, I sat down and looked around. I was not surprised to see average, looking college students, however I was surprised to see some of them wearing Christian organization shirts. Once the meeting started the officers thought it would be a great if everybody in the room said their name and then if you were comfortable with it state your beliefs or non-beliefs. To my dismay there were a good handful of students who were Christian. I later found out in the meeting that they like to come to the Atheist and Agnostic meeting to have a healthy debate about religion and how our society deals with it. During the meeting, the officers brought up several different topics and then people would raise their hand to have the floor to speak. The dialog that was communicated by the students in the room was very respectful. I actually had overheard one of the officers telling the other to not be rude when one of his comments was a little snarky. The conversation continued and I was able to actually relate to some points that the atheists had brought up. Even when I did not agree with their points I was able to see their side of the point. Overall I really liked how the meeting went. The atmosphere of being respectful and proficient is something that I want all discussion and meetings to have.
What I took away from the Atheist and Agnostic meeting was that I should not be afraid to attend events, meetings, or anything similar just because they are different from my viewpoints and beliefs. Honestly, going to that meeting made me appreciate the diversity that Texas A&M does have. Texas A&M has this stigma that there is no diversity on campus, but that is false. Not everybody here is a carbon copy and that was shown at the meeting. Going to the meeting was significant for me because I was able to put myself in a situation that challenged me and my beliefs. I think it is important for your beliefs to be challenged because if it is not then how is it going to grow? I think by hearing and witnessing different viewpoints it can either make you stand firmer in your beliefs or may actually cause you to rethink what you had previously thought. I did not walk out of that meeting not being a believer, on the other hand though I feel that my eyes were open up a little more after hearing a different side to the issue. Today I still stand as a firm believer nevertheless this experience had taught me to keep seeking things that challenge me. Most likely next semester I will attend another Atheist and Agnostic meeting and along with other events that challenge my standpoints.
Criteria:
· Willing to listen
· Be respectful
· Be willing to step out of your comfort zone
· Understand that there are difference between points of views
· Try to find common ground and similarities in other’s perspectives
For the Coffee House Conversation class, I had to present and talk about my experience at an event that I had no real knowledge over. Some of my classmates went to a Democratic meeting and another went to listen to a musical performance they have never experienced. After long considerations, I decided that I wanted to attend an Atheist and Agnostic meeting. I wanted to go to the meeting because I was comfortable enough in my faith to go challenge it. My assumptions about atheists or non-believers was that they were cynical, intelligent, and pretentious. At the time my knowledge of people who are agnostic is that they believe in a higher being and an atheist believes in no religion or higher God. The only thing I know about the Texas A&M Agnostic and Atheist organization is that they were the people to have a black sign with white letters, boldly stating something across the lines of “Don’t Believe in God?” The Texas A&M Agnostic and Atheist organization made me very uncomfortable due to the fact that I assumed we were way too different to get along. I could not have been farther from the truth.
When I went to the meeting, I sat down and looked around. I was not surprised to see average, looking college students, however I was surprised to see some of them wearing Christian organization shirts. Once the meeting started the officers thought it would be a great if everybody in the room said their name and then if you were comfortable with it state your beliefs or non-beliefs. To my dismay there were a good handful of students who were Christian. I later found out in the meeting that they like to come to the Atheist and Agnostic meeting to have a healthy debate about religion and how our society deals with it. During the meeting, the officers brought up several different topics and then people would raise their hand to have the floor to speak. The dialog that was communicated by the students in the room was very respectful. I actually had overheard one of the officers telling the other to not be rude when one of his comments was a little snarky. The conversation continued and I was able to actually relate to some points that the atheists had brought up. Even when I did not agree with their points I was able to see their side of the point. Overall I really liked how the meeting went. The atmosphere of being respectful and proficient is something that I want all discussion and meetings to have.
What I took away from the Atheist and Agnostic meeting was that I should not be afraid to attend events, meetings, or anything similar just because they are different from my viewpoints and beliefs. Honestly, going to that meeting made me appreciate the diversity that Texas A&M does have. Texas A&M has this stigma that there is no diversity on campus, but that is false. Not everybody here is a carbon copy and that was shown at the meeting. Going to the meeting was significant for me because I was able to put myself in a situation that challenged me and my beliefs. I think it is important for your beliefs to be challenged because if it is not then how is it going to grow? I think by hearing and witnessing different viewpoints it can either make you stand firmer in your beliefs or may actually cause you to rethink what you had previously thought. I did not walk out of that meeting not being a believer, on the other hand though I feel that my eyes were open up a little more after hearing a different side to the issue. Today I still stand as a firm believer nevertheless this experience had taught me to keep seeking things that challenge me. Most likely next semester I will attend another Atheist and Agnostic meeting and along with other events that challenge my standpoints.