Project Three: Academic Conversation Paper
The topic for our academic articles has been fear. Every article has a different opinion about fear. I have decided to analyze the Function of Education by Krishnamurti and Religion of Fear Appeals by Donald Ragsdale. These two articles try to understand how fear governs people lives. Each article focuses on two different topics, but they both relate to fear.
In the Function of Education Krishnamurti takes an in depth look at how fear controls the mind of people. He talks about how people are more willing to conform to society then be different. He discusses how people are afraid of not fitting in and being accepting by their peers. In the Function of Education Krishnamurti challenges the foundation of education. He questions what so many people are trying to achieve in life. He asks the question is fear what motivates people or life itself.
In Religious Fear Appeals Donald Ragsdale investigates how preachers use fear in sermons. He states that women are more submissive to fearful sermons then men. He also does a study with college students to resolve his conclusion to fearful sermons. He realized that more fearful sermons are preached in the south. Ragsdale’s article also shows how fear is used in Religion.
How are these articles alike? We know that they are both based on fear. Krishnamurti quotes “you are encouraged to fit into the framework of this disastrous
Society: your parents want you to do that, and you also want to fit in.” Krishnamurti is saying that when a person is born they are being taught socialization by there parents. The parents instill in the child the tool of conformity. Krishnamurti quotes “not to imitate but discover.” People should not be so fearful of fitting in, but willing to change. Ragsdale quotes “Form 1 emphasized the personal physical pain and calamity which could befall on the listeners or his family and friends”. This statement is the fear that the preacher is using to open...