If there is one thing I love to do, it is debate. Nothing is more thrilling than articulating your beliefs to another person while at the same time learning about contrasting viewpoints. The latter is definitely the best part. I enjoy contrasting viewpoints so much that I spend more time reading literature that is about concepts and notions different from what I believe to be true than articles I believe are true. This includes the vast amount of conservative literature that is out on the Web. I have found there is no better place to get your daily dose of conservative viewpoints than from
www.conservapedia.com.
Conservapedia dubs itself as the "trustworthy encyclopedia." Its founder, Andrew Schlafly, felt that Wikipedia was too liberal and anti-American, and so he created the site in order to spread what he felt was truthful, pure and untainted information. Although I do not hold the right-wing viewpoints supported by Conservapedia, I sure do get a kick out of reading its articles. And sometimes, I even learn something.
There was a particular article that has sparked my interest lately. The article is entitled "Professor Values." It seems the writers and editors of Conservapedia feel there are too many college professors who are liberal and this has "caused a lack of morals…in the culture of many college faculties." Conservapedia also accuses college professors of being atheist and socialist. In addition, Conservapedia refers to all public schools as atheist.
Although it is no surprise that the stereotypical college professor is very liberal, I am not so sure. I have been at Ohio State for three years. To my recollection, I have yet to have a professor who is an over-the-top liberal, atheist or socialist. Because we are the largest university in the nation, I do not believe the "Professor Values" phenomenon would pass by us. When I was in high school, I dreamed of being in college where professors made political jokes and were passionate about their beliefs. Now, after being here for a seemingly innumerable amount of credit hours, I find most professors go out of their way to not "stir the pot" and talk about controversial issues. If I am in fact oblivious to these so called "Professor Values" on this campus, I sure would like to know what I am missing.
So, my faithful readers, I am turning the tables back to you and asking for your opinion. I want to know if you feel that professors at OSU try to pass off a political platform in their lectures. Please do not name specific names, as this is not meant to be a finger-pointing affair. I am merely curious to see if you, the readers, feel that there is a bias within the faculty at OSU. Feel free to either shoot me an e-mail or post your comments on The Lantern Web site. I am really interested to hear your stories and insights.
Anthony Dipietro is a junior in mathematics and sociology. He can be reached at dipietro.15@osu.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 50
Rusty Shackelford
posted 3/26/08 @ 12:19 PM EST
I agree that OSU is suffering a lack of vocal liberals, atheists, and socialists. If those profs are out there, they could do the university and its students a great service by voicing those beliefs and, hopefully, winning over a few young minds. (Continued…)
Jordan
posted 3/27/08 @ 3:08 AM EST
I had a Professor freshman year that taught Intro to Ethics. He turned the class into one big lecture on his own personal moral philosophy, which was to, "move beyond right and wrong". (Continued…)
Benbo
posted 3/27/08 @ 12:39 PM EST
I always thought Conservapedia was supposed to be satire. Is it possible self-annointed "conservatives" actually believe that claptrap?
RoyalGK
Stephen
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:54 PM EST
There's an Astronomy professor who seems to have created his own requirement that 5-10 minutes of any given lecture must include a diatribe about why religion is a plague on the earth or how much of a weak-minded fool you have to be to embrace Christianity. (Continued…)
Erick
posted 3/28/08 @ 2:52 PM EST
I went to OSU for 5 years. I did not find political indoctrination in any of my classes. In my freshman writing class, though, the professor's research focused on women's issues in history and lit. (Continued…)
Andy Schlafly
posted 4/20/08 @ 2:54 PM EST
Of the 5 comments above, 3 were liberal remarks that illustrate the problem, and 2 were objective comments that state the obvious truth: yes, Ohio State Professors (like nearly all professors) are astoundingly liberal and yes, they do push their views on their students. (Continued…)
Denis Cavanagh
posted 4/21/08 @ 8:57 AM EST
That guy is Conservapedia's leader, and his style would leave you convinced that he is a parody. Unfortunately, it is real, and there are people out there who have never opened a book, never mind actually thought about how crazy some of their beliefs are. (Continued…)
TK
posted 4/21/08 @ 5:02 PM EST
The understanding of Conservapedia is mistaken, but I think it fair to say management jumps on some users much faster than others. CP will grow and mature when that is finally, officially recognized, and there are Admins in place, not overruled by Bureaucrats, who enforce the standards equally. (Continued…)
Bill
posted 4/21/08 @ 7:35 PM EST
First, let me apologize to Mr. Dipietro and to OSU for taking his blog page away from its original intent--surveying the politics of OSU professors. Neither I nor Andy Schlafly are OSU students. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 4/22/08 @ 1:17 AM EST
What is wrong with Christianity? A religion that promotes loving your neighbor and turning the other cheek should be embraced now more than ever. Today,I believe many people are only thinking about themselves most of the time. (Continued…)
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