Anecdote – How I passed my Religious Studies exam due to divine intervention.

Posted on by Opher

Anecdote – How I passed my Religious Studies exam due to divine intervention.

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How I passed my Religious Studies exam due to divine intervention.

Religion and I have never got along. I think I was born a heretic. Either that or I am a blasphemous pagan at heart.

Through school I suffered the excruciating assemblies with their hymns, prayers and bible readings. I abhorred them. I also despised the RE lessons with all their bible bashing and indoctrinating rhetoric. My brain was impervious to religion. It bounced off.

Then when I was fourteen I discovered I did not have to do it at all. I could get a dispensation on religious grounds. All I had to do was induce my parents to sign the relevant form or write a short note to the effect that they wanted me out of all religious practice. Problem solved.

Except it wasn’t. For some obscure reason, that I do not understand to this day, my parents, who brought me up with a liberal, unindoctrinated perspective, and respected my views, refused to write the note.

That made it even worse. So I dug my heels in. I went to see the RE teacher and explained to him that I was categorically not going to do the RE. He could do what he liked. I was not going to budge. After a lengthy argument we came to a compromise. I would attend the lessons and give out the bibles. Then I would sit quietly at the front and read. That suited me fine.

So while the rest of the class filled exercise book after exercise book of boring comparisons between the four gospels I read great Science Fiction by Arthur C Clarke, Robert Sheckly, Asimov, John Wyndham, Philip K Dick and Robert Heinlein. I reckoned the content of fiction in my books was superior to the fiction in theirs.

RE was a subject that was sat earlier than the other subjects. We took our O Level at Christmas. I was surprised to find that my name was included. I went to see the RE teacher to point out the error. I had not done any RE; I should not have my name down for the exam. He huffed and puffed and did not like to admit his mistake. He told me that it was easier for me to just go through with it rather than trying to scrub me from the exam at this stage. I shrugged. I wasn’t bothered.

The night before the exam I borrowed a bible. My mum found me looking through it.

‘What are you doing?’

I explained that I had my RE O Level the next day. I had been intrigued by a couple of things. I looked up to find out what the Transfiguration was all about and I checked out what Jesus said on the cross. – ‘My father why has thou forsaken me?’

I always thought that was a strange thing to say. It seemed to suggest to me that at the last minute he was having doubts and had realised that it was all bollocks.

After ten minutes I became bored, which amused my mum no end. She knew what felt about the bible.

The next day I took my exam. We had to answer four questions out of five. Question one was about the Transfiguration. Question two was about the words Jesus had said on the cross. Question three was about a psalm I knew well from assemblies. Question four was a parable that I was familiar with. It was easy.

The next term the results came out. Only a third of the class had passed. I was one of them.

I have a qualification in Religious Education. I bet my RE teacher was as pleased as Punch.

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13 thoughts on “Anecdote – How I passed my Religious Studies exam due to divine intervention.”

  1. This an interesting anecdote Opher. What conclusions do you draw from this synchronous experience? Was this divine intervention alone – being foretold the exam questions – or some form of subliminal learning – an unconscious awareness of possible questions that may have been mentioned during a R.E lesson? Or perhaps it was a combination of both?

    And what of reading science-fiction…do you think themes of religion and spirituality appear in the writing of the authors you mention?

    DN

    1. Dewin – I always separate religion and spirituality. There are so many things we do not understand. Who knows what went on? Schools were steeped in religious indoctrination. It would have been impossible not to absorb it. Back then I had a great memory. I think it was to my advantage not to be bogged down with turgid learning. The RE lessons were the ultimate in boring. It kept me light on my feet. However, I have found this synchronicity has operated many times in my life and there are many examples in history. I believe we have a sense that is yet not scientifically understood. That’s why I believe in the zeitgeist.

    2. Oh – and I believe that the best Sci-fi is that which deals with spiritual, social and political issues rather than space opera and war.

  2. I agree with your perspective on synchronicity Opher and can readily find examples in my life. I am also a keen reader of Carl Jung who first propositioned it as an idea. Further investigation in this phenomena – this extra-dimensional sense ability we all have – is long overdue. Perhaps with the advent and utilisation of A.I greater understanding will be achieved.

    I think all learning should be embraced with an open, but yet, discerning mind: acceptance and/or rejection of ideas, notions, philosophies (which I think are fluid entities anyway), and by extension individuation of the self, cannot come about until we are able to clearly define the pillars upon which we build our temple.

    I’ve often thought science and religion seek answers to the same fundamental questions of existence. Even Arthur C. Clarke is quoted as saying, “Any path to knowledge is a path to God—or Reality, whichever word one prefers to use.”

    Hoping all is well and the writing progressing.

    DN

    1. Hi Dewin – yes I’m feeling a bit better and am writing. So much we still have to understand. We are stumbling around in the Dark Ages. Science is in its infancy. Synchronicity is something I think needs much more work and understanding.
      I hope all is well with you. Are you still working? What are your plans?

      1. Yes, still working Opher, but no definite plans as yet. Once Christmas and the New Year are out the way, consideration will be duly given to the immediate future.

        Good to hear you’re back in the saddle and back writing. Full speed ahead!

        Cheers,

        DN

      2. Not quite full speed yet but a steady trot!
        I think you needed time to clear your head and think of a direction. It is good that you did not jump too quickly! Good luck!

      4. Strike when the time is right. The mind will settle. I think your plan sounds good. The New Year will be the time to make long term decisions.

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