Praying for answers = cheating?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Peace be on you.

The professor need reforms.
1-Why did prof intervened the student? The instant he talked to student, he disturbed / offered some (any) kind of help.

2-Prof is not a nurse....If student was not well, he/she could have told the prof. by itself.

3-Prof. should have known that what student was doing was a process within student's body/soul and no physical help was sought.

4- Cut prof.'s one day salary.

5- Give the student another chance.

6- The prof should know that prayer is the part of philosophy of religion.

Getting help answering questions on an exam is cheating. Was the prayer an attempt to get help or not?

 

[Sees]

No more than other crimes that we have already. What's the practical difference between praying to God for the answer and texting a friend for the answer? Not intent; only the likelihood of success, AFAICT.

Assuming that God for that person or any other is an outside force/entity? I would eat said teacher alive in this case

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I wonder how many consider the use of logical deduction on multiple choice to be cheating? Or finding patterns in quizzes that reveal the correct answer?

What if the prayer was to Satan or some other deity that wouldn't be assumed to necessarily be good?

Satan would slap you silly for not sufficiently preparing and asking for his help.

 

[Freedomelf]

I think, if the teacher is that sure of the existence of God, that he would appreciate another like-minded soul, who is sure of the existence of God. That he doesn't appreciate his own kindred spirit shows that perhaps there is a paradox there, and his mind is still struggling with God himself. In other words, maybe he is trying to rip God, when he is ripping the paper in half. The student is just a bystander in his rage. Something to ponder.

 

[Willamena]

What that professor did was totally uncalled for.

And irrational, which is unfortunate for a professor of philosophy.

 

[Willamena]

Good point. So what explains the gap in reasoning where asking God for answers is not cheating?

A metaphysical model. The answers that "God gives" are not distinct from the answers that you derive.

 

[1137]

I wonder how many consider the use of logical deduction on multiple choice to be cheating? Or finding patterns in quizzes that reveal the correct answer?

It's still different. I can think about answers all I want; I can't ask my neighbor.

 

[Sleeppy]

Don't get caught.

 

[Sees]

It's still different. I can think about answers all I want; I can't ask my neighbor.

You can if you are using telepathy or if this neighbor is so integral or connected to your being that mere thoughts communicate...

This whole scenario is a theological issue and the teacher's theology isn't relevant. The praying student could make the case that it's no different than thoughts to yourself that you do your best and any outside sign is used to enhance focus.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I say let him pray and fail the test on his own.

 

[InChrist]

God isn't the important point. The individual's intention is the important point.

For a Bible believing Christian, anyway, the point is God. And the scriptures give clear instruction that one's motivation and intent while praying is to be God's will.

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.Luke 11:2

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3

 

[ChristineES]

I agree. If the professor believed that praying would get a test answer he should have been more respectful. But then flunked the student if the test was imperfect in any way. If he didn't think praying was an unfair advantage then his reaction was totally uncalled for.

Unless of course, the test was on "The Power of Prayer".

Tom

It seems to me he was attacking the guy just because he's religious. There is no way I could prove it, but that is the feeling I get from it. If the professor was not a religious man, he wouldn't believe that the student could get an answer.

 

[InChrist]

It seems to me he was attacking the guy just because he's religious. There is no way I could prove it, but that is the feeling I get from it. If the professor was not a religious man, he wouldn't believe that the student could get an answer.

I think you are right. A professor who doesn't believe in God or prayer would not think a student would be able to aquire answers to the test through prayer. So as you have concluded it certainly appears that by tearing up the student's test he was simply and blatantly attacking the student's faith.

 

[1137]

It seems to me he was attacking the guy just because he's religious. There is no way I could prove it, but that is the feeling I get from it. If the professor was not a religious man, he wouldn't believe that the student could get an answer.

It would be irrelevant if the professor is a believer. Maybe you try to look at the paper of the druggy next to you. The teacher knows the druggy won't pass but it's still cheating.

 

[4consideration]

A professor is overseeing the final for his philosophy of religion class. He notices that one of his students has their pen down, they have their hands over their face, and they are not paying attention to the test in any recognizable way. He goes to the student and asks if the student is ok. The student says, "yes sir, I was simply praying to God to help me answer the question". The professor takes the test and rips in half. In horror, the student exclaims, " why did you do that?!" The professor responds that, "asking for help on tests is cheating, and cheating is an automatic zero."

Thoughts? Reactions? Discussion?

Edit: This is a paraphrased example from "A Brief History of the Paradox" by Roy Sorensen

I think the professor doesn't need to be teaching a philosophy of religion class.

IMO, he doesn't seem to understand the concept of omnipresence that, if believed by the student, means that God is everywhere -- meaning there is no place God in not -- so that God would necessarily also be within each person.

Any answer derived from a prayer said by the student would be an answer received and information produced, from within. That would mean no external assistance was sought, but assistance through a connection that is unable to be broken -- and present for all, at all times.

I wonder, does the professor also tear up the exams of students that are asking their mind for answers?

It seems the professor is demonstrating his own belief in a duality between spirit and matter, with his assumption that God is "out there".

 

[1137]

The student specifically states he was asking God for answers. Not looking internally.

 

[4consideration]

The student specifically states he was asking God for answers. Not looking internally.

If he had his hands covering his face, as described in the OP, he was not looking externally.

 

[1137]

If he had his hands covering his face, as described in the OP, he was not looking externally.

Playing semantics?

 

[4consideration]

Playing semantics?

Literally.

edit: Everything else about the scenario was the professor's own projection. That's how I see it.

 

[nash8]

Getting help answering questions on an exam is cheating. Was the prayer an attempt to get help or not?

Studying the material helps you get answers on an exam... is that cheating?