Paul K

Immortalizing one of history's greatest speeches.

I went to a conservative Christian college. My freshman year, I took a philosophy class, which was required. During the first week, the professor asked the class “raise your hand if you think you hold a belief that is likely wrong.” Of the 40-45 of us in class, all 18-19 year olds, me and one other person raised their hand. The girl sitting next to me side eyed me, like “for real?” I side eyed her, “for real?” Did I hear the professor wrong? He just asked if you think you held a belief that is likely wrong. One year ago I was in high school, living with my parents, I don’t know anything about anything. Most of what I believe is likely wrong. I think about that experience often and even though my freshman year in college was… (ouch) 19 years ago, our society struggles now more than ever with this idea. “This is what I think but I could be wrong here, likely, I am.” If someone changes their mind on an issue, they’re not called opened minded, they’re called wishy washy. If someone believes something you find offensive, our reaction is judgment “how could they”, not curiosity “why would they”. If someone says, “I don’t really know anything about that so it’s hard for me to say” we don’t respect their humility or tact, we call them cowards. In my sample size of a conservative Christian college, I’d imagine most of my peers lived in a fundamentalist world. Their parents were right. Their church was right. Their education was right. Their neighborhood was right. Not to judge them, but most were likely much more sheltered than i was at that age. There’s a lot of comfort in this mixed up world in believing, “yeah I got this figured out and you don’t” it’s a false comfort, but it’s still a comfort. n conclusion, if I was in a philosophy class at almost 38 and the professor asked, “raise your hand if you think you held a belief that is likely wrong” I’d raise both hands, and I hope I always do.