Post by Dakota Bishop on Aug 4, 2005 16:20:17 GMT -5
The classroom was quite as Professor London walked in. The college students were expecting chubby Mr. Stem. Instead, they got the immaculately dressed Professor. Her heels clicked softly as she walked toward the desk. A few murmurs filled the room as the students asked themselves if anyone knew her. They all read her name as she wrote it on the dry-erase board.
“I’m Professor London.” She said. Her voice was very smooth and almost soothing to the sleepy ears of the students. “Mr. Stems has fallen very ill, and will be unable to continue teaching this class. So, for the rest of the semester, I’ll be your teacher.”
There was some whoops and yells at this. Mr. Stems was a boring teacher, and London was much easier on the eyes. The male dominated class loved it. Lon gave a cheerful smile as she walked to the front of the desk and neatly sat down. “As I understand from Mr. Stem’s notes,” she continued, “this past week was dedicated to the study of western societies and their impacts, with a strong emphasis on their religions theologies. Being the last day of the week, that makes today the discussion period, correct?” London almost laughed as the few who whooped were not groaning. Just because Lon was attractive didn’t mean the class would be any more exciting, they were realizing. Interesting, maybe, but not exciting.
Time passed slowly for the students and for Lon as well. Stem had beaten any enthusiasm for western religion that these kids may have had. And very few students would have any enthusiasm to begin with. London was about to dismiss class early when a hand shot up. A hand covered in some kind of red leather.
London wasn’t quite sure she was seeing things correctly. Among all of the normally dressed students was one in black and red leather. Thanks to the makeup applied and the somewhat slender hips, London wasn’t exactly sure what she was looking at. The bold bolt of black down the right side of the face hinted at masculinity, but she decided to play it safe.
“Yes?” she asked calmly.
“Professor,” the definitely masculine voice asked, “the western civilization, America, is arguably the world leading super power. Do you think our religion up this point is the reason for that?”
The rest of the class was silent at the resonating question. London reached back and picked up one of the Stem’s notebooks. Particularly, the one with the student notes. There, with the word ‘Goth’ circled beside it was the name Dakota Bishop, complete with horns drawn at either wide of the name. London smiled at the notation. He had a name.
“Well Mr. Bishop.” She started, smiling at the small display of shock on his face as she used his name. “As you should well know from your studies in this class, all cultures lean heavily on their religious backgrounds, as it helps them to define culture and customs, as well as the general behavior of the people. As Christianity is one of the oldest and most well known religions, it is logical to point out that well known and powerful power, the US, was founded in a firm Christian foundation.”
London answered the question almost by the book, treating Dakota like any other student. She expected a response from him, but what he fired off at return caught her completely off guard.
“Its funny that the original people of this county, Native Americans, are practically extinct, isn’t it, Professor? In those days, Christianity was all the rage, yet not one person here represents a single tribe or nation of those people. Why would Christians destroy an entire people?” Dakota asked. His voice was calm and peaceful, but his words filled the room with static. Suddenly the boring draft of the class was electrified and charged with a direct line of fire between Dakota and London.
“That’s getting into the personal experience of those individuals, Mr. Bishop.” London said. There was a small note of aggravation in her voice. Though she was sure it wasn’t suppose to seem that way, his question had almost seemed like a person stab at her.
“I think it would be safe to say that, under their unique circumstances, the thought of survival overwhelmed many of the ethics that the Christian Religion brings with it. Such conditions are hardly prime examples of the faith”. She said in a manner-of-fact tone, trying to end the discussion then and there. Dakota, however, had other plans.
“What about the Crusades? Or the Salem Witch Trials?” Dakota countered bravely. A sort of smug look grew on his face, and London fought back the urge to glare at him. There was no doubt about it; he was attacking the Christian Religion, as countless others had before him in this class. London had dealt with his kind in her own life, and she knew how to deal with them.
“I’m afraid that your argument has lost its focus, Mr. Bishop. While religious theology may influence the actions of a person, those actions are ultimately decided upon by the person themselves. Obviously such atrocities cannot be ignored, but the error was in the human interpretation and human action, not the action itself.” London said with a semi-sweet smile. “There is little fault to be found in most religions, Dakota, it is simply the human factor that brings the worst the forefront of our, or any, society. It is used as an excuse more than used as an example.”
The classroom was silent again. The tense atmosphere woke up most of the students, and many eyes were on Dakota. He was the challenger now, representing the argumentative prowess of the entire class. He tapped his temple slowly. His eyes were locked with London. His eyes held aggression, anger…and was that a hint of eagerness that London saw?
“Well, that certainly sounds like a problem form the religious people out there, professor. All that prayer and meditation, and not a bit of it is going to help them or change them in any way. It’s just a waste, then, a false hope. Is that what you are saying? That religion isn’t supposed to help people better themselves at all? I thought that was the whole point!” Dakota said. His voice was very slow, maybe even patronizing, but certainly powerful near the end.
Professor London allowed her eyes to narrow the slightest bit. He had deliberately twisted her words! But then, he had proven her point for her. Her semi-sweet smile returned as she stood from the desk. The class was watching her like a hawk, and no one yet realized that the class had been kept over for almost ten minutes.
“No, Mr. Bishop,” She said coolly, “That is not what I’m saying. You will only hear what I’m trying to say when are ready to listen.” She went behind the desk and gathered what few things she had with her. This caused the rest of the class to glance at the clock, and instantly they began to do the same, several of them in a hurry.
The professor stood by the desk and watched the students leave. Dakota was among them, and London gave him a curt nod as he left. He returned the gesture, and even gave a small salute as he left. “See you tomorrow, professor.” He said, and then he walked out the door.
It was much later that day, in the evening in fact, when London was going over that class in her mind. It was then in her minds eye that she caught a detail her physical eyes much have ignored. Dakota Bishop, whom she had considered just another gothic atheist, had been wearing an odd accessory. As he had left, she remembered seeing a black and red catholic rosary hanging from around his waist.
Check
“I’m Professor London.” She said. Her voice was very smooth and almost soothing to the sleepy ears of the students. “Mr. Stems has fallen very ill, and will be unable to continue teaching this class. So, for the rest of the semester, I’ll be your teacher.”
There was some whoops and yells at this. Mr. Stems was a boring teacher, and London was much easier on the eyes. The male dominated class loved it. Lon gave a cheerful smile as she walked to the front of the desk and neatly sat down. “As I understand from Mr. Stem’s notes,” she continued, “this past week was dedicated to the study of western societies and their impacts, with a strong emphasis on their religions theologies. Being the last day of the week, that makes today the discussion period, correct?” London almost laughed as the few who whooped were not groaning. Just because Lon was attractive didn’t mean the class would be any more exciting, they were realizing. Interesting, maybe, but not exciting.
Time passed slowly for the students and for Lon as well. Stem had beaten any enthusiasm for western religion that these kids may have had. And very few students would have any enthusiasm to begin with. London was about to dismiss class early when a hand shot up. A hand covered in some kind of red leather.
London wasn’t quite sure she was seeing things correctly. Among all of the normally dressed students was one in black and red leather. Thanks to the makeup applied and the somewhat slender hips, London wasn’t exactly sure what she was looking at. The bold bolt of black down the right side of the face hinted at masculinity, but she decided to play it safe.
“Yes?” she asked calmly.
“Professor,” the definitely masculine voice asked, “the western civilization, America, is arguably the world leading super power. Do you think our religion up this point is the reason for that?”
The rest of the class was silent at the resonating question. London reached back and picked up one of the Stem’s notebooks. Particularly, the one with the student notes. There, with the word ‘Goth’ circled beside it was the name Dakota Bishop, complete with horns drawn at either wide of the name. London smiled at the notation. He had a name.
“Well Mr. Bishop.” She started, smiling at the small display of shock on his face as she used his name. “As you should well know from your studies in this class, all cultures lean heavily on their religious backgrounds, as it helps them to define culture and customs, as well as the general behavior of the people. As Christianity is one of the oldest and most well known religions, it is logical to point out that well known and powerful power, the US, was founded in a firm Christian foundation.”
London answered the question almost by the book, treating Dakota like any other student. She expected a response from him, but what he fired off at return caught her completely off guard.
“Its funny that the original people of this county, Native Americans, are practically extinct, isn’t it, Professor? In those days, Christianity was all the rage, yet not one person here represents a single tribe or nation of those people. Why would Christians destroy an entire people?” Dakota asked. His voice was calm and peaceful, but his words filled the room with static. Suddenly the boring draft of the class was electrified and charged with a direct line of fire between Dakota and London.
“That’s getting into the personal experience of those individuals, Mr. Bishop.” London said. There was a small note of aggravation in her voice. Though she was sure it wasn’t suppose to seem that way, his question had almost seemed like a person stab at her.
“I think it would be safe to say that, under their unique circumstances, the thought of survival overwhelmed many of the ethics that the Christian Religion brings with it. Such conditions are hardly prime examples of the faith”. She said in a manner-of-fact tone, trying to end the discussion then and there. Dakota, however, had other plans.
“What about the Crusades? Or the Salem Witch Trials?” Dakota countered bravely. A sort of smug look grew on his face, and London fought back the urge to glare at him. There was no doubt about it; he was attacking the Christian Religion, as countless others had before him in this class. London had dealt with his kind in her own life, and she knew how to deal with them.
“I’m afraid that your argument has lost its focus, Mr. Bishop. While religious theology may influence the actions of a person, those actions are ultimately decided upon by the person themselves. Obviously such atrocities cannot be ignored, but the error was in the human interpretation and human action, not the action itself.” London said with a semi-sweet smile. “There is little fault to be found in most religions, Dakota, it is simply the human factor that brings the worst the forefront of our, or any, society. It is used as an excuse more than used as an example.”
The classroom was silent again. The tense atmosphere woke up most of the students, and many eyes were on Dakota. He was the challenger now, representing the argumentative prowess of the entire class. He tapped his temple slowly. His eyes were locked with London. His eyes held aggression, anger…and was that a hint of eagerness that London saw?
“Well, that certainly sounds like a problem form the religious people out there, professor. All that prayer and meditation, and not a bit of it is going to help them or change them in any way. It’s just a waste, then, a false hope. Is that what you are saying? That religion isn’t supposed to help people better themselves at all? I thought that was the whole point!” Dakota said. His voice was very slow, maybe even patronizing, but certainly powerful near the end.
Professor London allowed her eyes to narrow the slightest bit. He had deliberately twisted her words! But then, he had proven her point for her. Her semi-sweet smile returned as she stood from the desk. The class was watching her like a hawk, and no one yet realized that the class had been kept over for almost ten minutes.
“No, Mr. Bishop,” She said coolly, “That is not what I’m saying. You will only hear what I’m trying to say when are ready to listen.” She went behind the desk and gathered what few things she had with her. This caused the rest of the class to glance at the clock, and instantly they began to do the same, several of them in a hurry.
The professor stood by the desk and watched the students leave. Dakota was among them, and London gave him a curt nod as he left. He returned the gesture, and even gave a small salute as he left. “See you tomorrow, professor.” He said, and then he walked out the door.
It was much later that day, in the evening in fact, when London was going over that class in her mind. It was then in her minds eye that she caught a detail her physical eyes much have ignored. Dakota Bishop, whom she had considered just another gothic atheist, had been wearing an odd accessory. As he had left, she remembered seeing a black and red catholic rosary hanging from around his waist.
Check