How to react to a student preaching his religious beliefs?

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A few weeks ago, a student asked me during my office hours whether I was religious or not. More specifically, he asked whether I believed in his religion, and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively.



How should I react to a question such as this? Religion is a bit of a touchy subject, and even if I am a TA (i.e., not the instructor of the course - and more importantly, also a student), I don't want to be put in a similar situation again.



More generally speaking, how do I react to a situation in which I have to answer a question in a way that I know is likely to upset a student, without lying or making the situation worse?










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    A few weeks ago, a student asked me during my office hours whether I was religious or not. More specifically, he asked whether I believed in his religion, and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively.



    How should I react to a question such as this? Religion is a bit of a touchy subject, and even if I am a TA (i.e., not the instructor of the course - and more importantly, also a student), I don't want to be put in a similar situation again.



    More generally speaking, how do I react to a situation in which I have to answer a question in a way that I know is likely to upset a student, without lying or making the situation worse?










    share|improve this question







    New contributor




    osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.





















      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      A few weeks ago, a student asked me during my office hours whether I was religious or not. More specifically, he asked whether I believed in his religion, and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively.



      How should I react to a question such as this? Religion is a bit of a touchy subject, and even if I am a TA (i.e., not the instructor of the course - and more importantly, also a student), I don't want to be put in a similar situation again.



      More generally speaking, how do I react to a situation in which I have to answer a question in a way that I know is likely to upset a student, without lying or making the situation worse?










      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      A few weeks ago, a student asked me during my office hours whether I was religious or not. More specifically, he asked whether I believed in his religion, and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively.



      How should I react to a question such as this? Religion is a bit of a touchy subject, and even if I am a TA (i.e., not the instructor of the course - and more importantly, also a student), I don't want to be put in a similar situation again.



      More generally speaking, how do I react to a situation in which I have to answer a question in a way that I know is likely to upset a student, without lying or making the situation worse?







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      New contributor




      osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











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      osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      asked 29 mins ago









      osuka_

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          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

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          up vote
          3
          down vote













          You address this by stating directly




          "I would prefer not to discuss this topic during office hours. Can I help you with any questions you have on the homework?"




          If the issue persists, I would speak with the professor and perhaps also your school's diversity office (or something similar).






          share|improve this answer



























            up vote
            2
            down vote













            It is like a question about your political opinion or sexual preferences: It is your private matter!



            If you want to tell the student, you can do so, but you'll have to face the discussions (which can be fruitful or stressful), but if you prefer not to share them (which many people will do in a professional context), tell the that this touches your private field and since this does not belong to the workplace, you do not want to answer this question.






            share|improve this answer



























              up vote
              1
              down vote













              In the US, you have done just the right thing. Tell him the truth and leave it at that. You can't avoid such situations as they are set up by others.



              Of course, you can say, and it is perfectly valid, that such questions are very personal to you and you don't feel that you want to discuss them. Reasonable people will accept that, and if they aren't reasonable, they have no right to proselytize. You don't need to be harsh ("None of your business"), but you have no obligation to answer.



              There are countries, of course, that have State Sponsored Religion in which the only accepted (safe) answer is the State Religion, but not here.






              share|improve this answer



























                up vote
                1
                down vote














                and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively




                This is their problem, not yours.




                How should I react to a question such as this?




                If you feel uncomfortable defending your position when it comes to religion, politics or sex, or simply you don't want to discuss them with an extraneous person, cut it short and answer that you're there to just answer questions about the subject you TA. And as Misha Lavrov rightly points out in a comment, recall that you don't have any obligation to answer questions like that.






                share|improve this answer


















                • 2




                  I don't think this is stated strongly enough; even if you feel comfortable defending your position and want to discuss it, you likely have an obligation not to (at least during office hours or otherwise as part of your job).
                  – Misha Lavrov
                  15 mins ago











                • @Misha Yep, I agree, I've edited the answer.
                  – Massimo Ortolano
                  14 mins ago











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                4 Answers
                4






                active

                oldest

                votes








                4 Answers
                4






                active

                oldest

                votes









                active

                oldest

                votes






                active

                oldest

                votes








                up vote
                3
                down vote













                You address this by stating directly




                "I would prefer not to discuss this topic during office hours. Can I help you with any questions you have on the homework?"




                If the issue persists, I would speak with the professor and perhaps also your school's diversity office (or something similar).






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote













                  You address this by stating directly




                  "I would prefer not to discuss this topic during office hours. Can I help you with any questions you have on the homework?"




                  If the issue persists, I would speak with the professor and perhaps also your school's diversity office (or something similar).






                  share|improve this answer






















                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote









                    You address this by stating directly




                    "I would prefer not to discuss this topic during office hours. Can I help you with any questions you have on the homework?"




                    If the issue persists, I would speak with the professor and perhaps also your school's diversity office (or something similar).






                    share|improve this answer












                    You address this by stating directly




                    "I would prefer not to discuss this topic during office hours. Can I help you with any questions you have on the homework?"




                    If the issue persists, I would speak with the professor and perhaps also your school's diversity office (or something similar).







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 19 mins ago









                    Vladhagen

                    6,67012751




                    6,67012751




















                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote













                        It is like a question about your political opinion or sexual preferences: It is your private matter!



                        If you want to tell the student, you can do so, but you'll have to face the discussions (which can be fruitful or stressful), but if you prefer not to share them (which many people will do in a professional context), tell the that this touches your private field and since this does not belong to the workplace, you do not want to answer this question.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote













                          It is like a question about your political opinion or sexual preferences: It is your private matter!



                          If you want to tell the student, you can do so, but you'll have to face the discussions (which can be fruitful or stressful), but if you prefer not to share them (which many people will do in a professional context), tell the that this touches your private field and since this does not belong to the workplace, you do not want to answer this question.






                          share|improve this answer






















                            up vote
                            2
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            2
                            down vote









                            It is like a question about your political opinion or sexual preferences: It is your private matter!



                            If you want to tell the student, you can do so, but you'll have to face the discussions (which can be fruitful or stressful), but if you prefer not to share them (which many people will do in a professional context), tell the that this touches your private field and since this does not belong to the workplace, you do not want to answer this question.






                            share|improve this answer












                            It is like a question about your political opinion or sexual preferences: It is your private matter!



                            If you want to tell the student, you can do so, but you'll have to face the discussions (which can be fruitful or stressful), but if you prefer not to share them (which many people will do in a professional context), tell the that this touches your private field and since this does not belong to the workplace, you do not want to answer this question.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 20 mins ago









                            OBu

                            10k22347




                            10k22347




















                                up vote
                                1
                                down vote













                                In the US, you have done just the right thing. Tell him the truth and leave it at that. You can't avoid such situations as they are set up by others.



                                Of course, you can say, and it is perfectly valid, that such questions are very personal to you and you don't feel that you want to discuss them. Reasonable people will accept that, and if they aren't reasonable, they have no right to proselytize. You don't need to be harsh ("None of your business"), but you have no obligation to answer.



                                There are countries, of course, that have State Sponsored Religion in which the only accepted (safe) answer is the State Religion, but not here.






                                share|improve this answer
























                                  up vote
                                  1
                                  down vote













                                  In the US, you have done just the right thing. Tell him the truth and leave it at that. You can't avoid such situations as they are set up by others.



                                  Of course, you can say, and it is perfectly valid, that such questions are very personal to you and you don't feel that you want to discuss them. Reasonable people will accept that, and if they aren't reasonable, they have no right to proselytize. You don't need to be harsh ("None of your business"), but you have no obligation to answer.



                                  There are countries, of course, that have State Sponsored Religion in which the only accepted (safe) answer is the State Religion, but not here.






                                  share|improve this answer






















                                    up vote
                                    1
                                    down vote










                                    up vote
                                    1
                                    down vote









                                    In the US, you have done just the right thing. Tell him the truth and leave it at that. You can't avoid such situations as they are set up by others.



                                    Of course, you can say, and it is perfectly valid, that such questions are very personal to you and you don't feel that you want to discuss them. Reasonable people will accept that, and if they aren't reasonable, they have no right to proselytize. You don't need to be harsh ("None of your business"), but you have no obligation to answer.



                                    There are countries, of course, that have State Sponsored Religion in which the only accepted (safe) answer is the State Religion, but not here.






                                    share|improve this answer












                                    In the US, you have done just the right thing. Tell him the truth and leave it at that. You can't avoid such situations as they are set up by others.



                                    Of course, you can say, and it is perfectly valid, that such questions are very personal to you and you don't feel that you want to discuss them. Reasonable people will accept that, and if they aren't reasonable, they have no right to proselytize. You don't need to be harsh ("None of your business"), but you have no obligation to answer.



                                    There are countries, of course, that have State Sponsored Religion in which the only accepted (safe) answer is the State Religion, but not here.







                                    share|improve this answer












                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer










                                    answered 18 mins ago









                                    Buffy

                                    26.9k686143




                                    26.9k686143




















                                        up vote
                                        1
                                        down vote














                                        and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively




                                        This is their problem, not yours.




                                        How should I react to a question such as this?




                                        If you feel uncomfortable defending your position when it comes to religion, politics or sex, or simply you don't want to discuss them with an extraneous person, cut it short and answer that you're there to just answer questions about the subject you TA. And as Misha Lavrov rightly points out in a comment, recall that you don't have any obligation to answer questions like that.






                                        share|improve this answer


















                                        • 2




                                          I don't think this is stated strongly enough; even if you feel comfortable defending your position and want to discuss it, you likely have an obligation not to (at least during office hours or otherwise as part of your job).
                                          – Misha Lavrov
                                          15 mins ago











                                        • @Misha Yep, I agree, I've edited the answer.
                                          – Massimo Ortolano
                                          14 mins ago















                                        up vote
                                        1
                                        down vote














                                        and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively




                                        This is their problem, not yours.




                                        How should I react to a question such as this?




                                        If you feel uncomfortable defending your position when it comes to religion, politics or sex, or simply you don't want to discuss them with an extraneous person, cut it short and answer that you're there to just answer questions about the subject you TA. And as Misha Lavrov rightly points out in a comment, recall that you don't have any obligation to answer questions like that.






                                        share|improve this answer


















                                        • 2




                                          I don't think this is stated strongly enough; even if you feel comfortable defending your position and want to discuss it, you likely have an obligation not to (at least during office hours or otherwise as part of your job).
                                          – Misha Lavrov
                                          15 mins ago











                                        • @Misha Yep, I agree, I've edited the answer.
                                          – Massimo Ortolano
                                          14 mins ago













                                        up vote
                                        1
                                        down vote










                                        up vote
                                        1
                                        down vote










                                        and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively




                                        This is their problem, not yours.




                                        How should I react to a question such as this?




                                        If you feel uncomfortable defending your position when it comes to religion, politics or sex, or simply you don't want to discuss them with an extraneous person, cut it short and answer that you're there to just answer questions about the subject you TA. And as Misha Lavrov rightly points out in a comment, recall that you don't have any obligation to answer questions like that.






                                        share|improve this answer















                                        and was visibly disappointed when I replied negatively




                                        This is their problem, not yours.




                                        How should I react to a question such as this?




                                        If you feel uncomfortable defending your position when it comes to religion, politics or sex, or simply you don't want to discuss them with an extraneous person, cut it short and answer that you're there to just answer questions about the subject you TA. And as Misha Lavrov rightly points out in a comment, recall that you don't have any obligation to answer questions like that.







                                        share|improve this answer














                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer








                                        edited 11 mins ago

























                                        answered 17 mins ago









                                        Massimo Ortolano

                                        37.4k12111144




                                        37.4k12111144







                                        • 2




                                          I don't think this is stated strongly enough; even if you feel comfortable defending your position and want to discuss it, you likely have an obligation not to (at least during office hours or otherwise as part of your job).
                                          – Misha Lavrov
                                          15 mins ago











                                        • @Misha Yep, I agree, I've edited the answer.
                                          – Massimo Ortolano
                                          14 mins ago













                                        • 2




                                          I don't think this is stated strongly enough; even if you feel comfortable defending your position and want to discuss it, you likely have an obligation not to (at least during office hours or otherwise as part of your job).
                                          – Misha Lavrov
                                          15 mins ago











                                        • @Misha Yep, I agree, I've edited the answer.
                                          – Massimo Ortolano
                                          14 mins ago








                                        2




                                        2




                                        I don't think this is stated strongly enough; even if you feel comfortable defending your position and want to discuss it, you likely have an obligation not to (at least during office hours or otherwise as part of your job).
                                        – Misha Lavrov
                                        15 mins ago





                                        I don't think this is stated strongly enough; even if you feel comfortable defending your position and want to discuss it, you likely have an obligation not to (at least during office hours or otherwise as part of your job).
                                        – Misha Lavrov
                                        15 mins ago













                                        @Misha Yep, I agree, I've edited the answer.
                                        – Massimo Ortolano
                                        14 mins ago





                                        @Misha Yep, I agree, I've edited the answer.
                                        – Massimo Ortolano
                                        14 mins ago











                                        osuka_ is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









                                         

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