100 year old awarded a degree

[wdlove]

Eugene Florence, 100 years old received his Masters of Divinity. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary correcting an error of segregation made in 1951.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/10389130.htm

[broken_keyboard]

Eugene Florence, 100 years old received his Masters of Divinity. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary correcting an error of segregation made in 1951.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/10389130.htm

Oh... how disappointing. For a minute there I thought someone had got a real degree, but it's just a Masters of Divinity. Oh well. Maybe one day a 100 year old really will get a degree. Lifespans are increasing you know...

[wdlove]

Oh... how disappointing. For a minute there I thought someone had got a real degree, but it's just a Masters of Divinity. Oh well. Maybe one day a 100 year old really will get a degree. Lifespans are increasing you know...

A Masters of Divinity is a real degree. These schools have their accreditation process also. They happen to learn two languages Greek & Hebrew. It is the degree that many religious organizations require for ordination. I find this no less or more than any other masters degree. It is a very religious course, I know from working at a seminary. They require high standards wit the written word.

I'm very happy that this 53 year old error was corrected. What an awesome day for this 100 year old man.

[FelixDerKater]

broken_keyboard:


Do you also consider a degree in the humanities or history to be worthless?

[Doctor Q]

Everyone should be awarded a degree at age 100. We all learn a lot in school, but learning is a lifelong endeavor, and by the time you are 100, you know as much general knowledge, just from experience, as somebody who studied furiously for a specific degree. Of course, maybe people would rather have their reward for reaching age 100 be having their name read on the NBC Today show, but I don't mind if they get both rewards.

[jefhatfield]

some of the japanese american community interned shortly after pearl harbor were finally awarded the high school diplomas they earned in the 1940s...i don't know why it took so long but it's better late than never

i might be 100 when i finish my graduate education...at age 31, i entered grad school and took a class at a time, got a third of the way through and then ran out of money...since then i have simply worked just to pay bills and live and eat and all those necessary things

at some point, i hope to finish graduate school and i am 41 now...i still have debt to wipe out and take care of before i consider resuming my graduate school studies so i work day and night right now

but the way interest is nowdays, i may actually be 100 before i can pay all bills, get re-accepted somewhere, finish my studies, and pay for those studies in full, and then receive my diploma

while working, having a marriage, maintaining a house, and paying bills, any post high school education is a major task in itself and i really miss the days when mommy and daddy paid for school and that's all i had to worry about

unfortunately, the graduate school programs i like are all private universities and that also adds to the expense, and years, it takes to finish that major endeavor

i just hope to get it all done before i am 100 ;)

[broken_keyboard]

broken_keyboard:

Do you also consider a degree in the humanities or history to be worthless?

No, I don't. Art is a very important thing. People need it, because of the way our mind works. History is very useful provided that we make sweeping generalizations and don't focus too tightly on individual events such as X being assasinated.

[palusami]

Everyone should be awarded a degree at age 100. We all learn a lot in school, but learning is a lifelong endeavor, and by the time you are 100, you know as much general knowledge, just from experience, as somebody who studied furiously for a specific degree. Of course, maybe people would rather have their reward for reaching age 100 be having their name read on the NBC Today show, but I don't mind if they get both rewards.

that's interesting. yeah, living till 100 is a monument unto itself. a few of my family members lived past 100 and it just amazes me. i have a hard enough time dealing with living over 30 yrs. :)

i might feel otherwise though giving a degree as an award to a 100 year old skinhead... :p

[wdlove]

at some point, i hope to finish graduate school and i am 41 now...i still have debt to wipe out and take care of before i consider resuming my graduate school studies so i work day and night right now

but the way interest is nowadays, i may actually be 100 before i can pay all bills, get re-accepted somewhere, finish my studies, and pay for those studies in full, and then receive my diploma

unfortunately, the graduate school programs i like are all private universities and that also adds to the expense, and years, it takes to finish that major endeavor

i just hope to get it all done before i am 100 ;)

How much do you have left to finish your graduate degree. I know a friend that took 10 years to get her Masters. She took it one course at a time. In her case it was also a problem with a full time job, home, and family. Luckily she had a job at the school so that helped with the expense. I'm sure that you will be successful Jef.

[chanoc]

"The study of theology is the study of nothing at all."

- Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason)

Since the bible is a book of fiction that cannot be proven with science, studying it and getting a degree is pointless.

[blackfox]

"The study of theology is the study of nothing at all."

- Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason)

Since the bible is a book of fiction that cannot be proven with science, studying it and getting a degree is pointless.

Well, I believe you have to take Paine's quote in context.

As mentioned above, you might reason that a degree in the Humanities would be equally pointless.

Which, of course, they aren't. Unless you were being ironic, you need to take another look.

I am not a religious man, but I appreciate the diversity of wisdom.

[wdlove]

"The study of theology is the study of nothing at all."

- Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason)

Since the bible is a book of fiction that cannot be proven with science, studying it and getting a degree is pointless.

That is a very sad view. It requires study of English, Greek, Hebrew, Psychology, counseling, & History. I would not call those worthless subjects. They are incorporated in many degrees. It appears that you might be an atheists. My faith is my life.

[jefhatfield]

"The study of theology is the study of nothing at all."

- Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason)

Since the bible is a book of fiction that cannot be proven with science, studying it and getting a degree is pointless.


there are no worthless subjects to study in college...some are good for your spirituality, some teach you how to be a financial professional, while others teach you how to operate on different animals as a vet...the great thing about college is that it doesn't have to be tied in with a job or career

some people major in literature and a lot of that is fictional, but where would society be without some of the great novels?

[Doctor Q]

there are no worthless subjects to study in collegeI agree. You should go to a university to exercise your brain and learn how to learn. The subject matter you pick up is an added bonus. I'd likely hire a college graduate with the wrong degree long before I'd hire somebody who had no interest in education.

[chanoc]

That is a very sad view. It requires study of English, Greek, Hebrew, Psychology, counseling, & History. I would not call those worthless subjects. They are incorporated in many degrees. It appears that you might be an atheists. My faith is my life.

I never said English, Greek, Hebrew or any natural subject was worthless. Made reference to the supernatural being worthless.

See Internet Infidels (http://www.iidb.org)

[wdlove]

I never said English, Greek, Hebrew or any natural subject was worthless. Made reference to the supernatural being worthless.

See Internet Infidels (http://www.iidb.org)

There is nothing supernatural or worthless about the protestant faith. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian philosophy.

[pseudobrit]

This country was founded on Judeo-Christian philosophy.

No, it wasn't. The founders were deists in the Age of Reason. The nation's basis was a hybrid of English law and untested French philosophy.

[Don't panic]

I agree. You should go to a university to exercise your brain and learn how to learn. The subject matter you pick up is an added bonus.
actually, that should be the goal of "high" school education.
college should be dedicated to focus in on a field, with little or no "errands" in pointless directions. but i agree on the importance of education.

[Zaid]

No, it wasn't. The founders were deists in the Age of Reason. The nation's basis was a hybrid of English law and untested French philosophy.

Ineed. So few americans seem to realise this. The US constitution owes far more to the likes of Voltaire and Locke than to any sense of Judeo-Christian philosophy. Besides back then the Judeo and Christian bits weren't on the best of terms :)

[zimv20]

college should be dedicated to focus in on a field, with little or no "errands" in pointless directions.
what you're describing is vocational training. while it's fine for people who want that, i tend to think of college as a place to get a classical education and to specifically make educational errands.

i wish i'd spent more time taking social science classes than concentrating on all those computer science classes, fwiw.

[skunk]

what you're describing is vocational training. while it's fine for people who want that, i tend to think of college as a place to get a classical education and to specifically make educational errands.
Whatever this strange use of the word "errand" is, I agree. :)
Perhaps "foray" or "excursion" were what you were looking for.

I think that even vocational training should incorporate a slice of the Humanities. Without the perspective afforded by studying outside the box, there might as well be no giants upon whose shoulders to stand...

[zimv20]

Without the perspective afforded by studying outside the box, there might as well be no giants upon whose shoulders to stand...
damn! another signature worthy one.

[jefhatfield]

There is nothing supernatural or worthless about the protestant faith. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian philosophy.

whether the christian faith (associate's, bachelor's, master's, phd divinity degree) is catholic, protestant, or orthodox, it's worthwhile in my book...studies of other religions like bhuddism, islam, and hinduism are also worthwhile pursuits

i happen to be protestant, but i respect the detailed study of any religious or philosophical belief...it's just as valid as the study of business, law, medicine, engineering, biology, or a whole host of many disciplines

most of us will agree that not all religions are 100% percent in tune with modern science, but that does not discount any religion one iota

[chanoc]

There is nothing supernatural or worthless about the protestant faith. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian philosophy.

********, where did you get your education? :rolleyes:

[solvs]

There is nothing supernatural or worthless about the protestant faith. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian philosophy.
This is a common myth. Jefferson was often accused of being an atheist (though he wasn't... not exactly), Franklin went so far as to say he doubted Jesus was a holy man at all, and Madison fought having a Congress Chaplain (though he was in a committee that approved the use of one, so he is falsely attributed to it's current implementation). However, some were quite religious. Adams was actually one of those that criticized Jefferson for not being religious enough. That's why it's established that the government cannot tell you what to believe. So you are free to be as religious or non-religious as you wish. One of the things I love most about this country. People seem to forget that when they are telling people not to put up nativity scenes so they don't offend anyone, but then others insist on leaving Under God in the pledge when it was not in the original. It was added later, in the 50's.

So if this person gets a degree from an accredited college, no matter what it's in, I applaud them. Especially at 100. Even if the bible is fiction, it is still as viable a degree as any.

For the record, I am fairly religious... but have grown disillusioned with the current faux morality, and religious institutions attempting to use others faith to push their agendas. Any truly spiritual person would be outraged at what's going on right now, and I find myself worried that there will be an even bigger backlash against Christianity than we are seeing here. That's always what happens when the false prophets take things too far.

Look at how political correctness is ruining what should be a nice post about a 100 year old's accomplishment.

[pseudobrit]

Even if the bible is fiction, it is still as viable a degree as any....
Look at how political correctness is ruining what should be a nice post about a 100 year old's accomplishment.

Excellent points. Worst case scenario, he's still got a degree that carries the same weight as a secular major in literature and minor in philosophy.

[jefhatfield]

This is a common myth. Jefferson was often accused of being an atheist (though he wasn't... not exactly), Franklin went so far as to say he doubted Jesus was a holy man at all, and Madison fought having a Congress Chaplain (though he was in a committee that approved the use of one, so he is falsely attributed to it's current implementation). However, some were quite religious. Adams was actually one of those that criticized Jefferson for not being religious enough. That's why it's established that the government cannot tell you what to believe. So you are free to be as religious or non-religious as you wish. One of the things I love most about this country. People seem to forget that when they are telling people not to put up nativity scenes so they don't offend anyone, but then others insist on leaving Under God in the pledge when it was not in the original. It was added later, in the 50's.

So if this person gets a degree from an accredited college, no matter what it's in, I applaud them. Especially at 100. Even if the bible is fiction, it is still as viable a degree as any.

For the record, I am fairly religious... but have grown disillusioned with the current faux morality, and religious institutions attempting to use others faith to push their agendas. Any truly spiritual person would be outraged at what's going on right now, and I find myself worried that there will be an even bigger backlash against Christianity than we are seeing here. That's always what happens when the false prophets take things too far.

Look at how political correctness is ruining what should be a nice post about a 100 year old's accomplishment.

i agree with you 100% percent

i truly believe christianity goes through its ups and downs...looking at jesus, his disciples, martin luther, billy graham, the pope, mother theresa, and the many christian aid organizations are examples of the good in christianity

but there is also the darkside...the false prophets and misguided (or very guided) hidden agendas like the crusades, killing native americans and other indigenous peoples, and today's racist, ultra conservative christian right in america (ie - bob jones university)

while not every member of martin luther's reform or billy graham's successful crusades are all good or every member of today's christian right is bad, there is a dark movement that smacks of false religion in today's christian right...it appears more white and right wing than some nazi or kkk gatherings and agendas and not much different than hitler's holy crusade to take over the world under the banner of a white, superior christian race

christianity is not meant to be right wing, or left wing for that matter, and if america's christian coalition was fueled strictly by the bible, you would see equal numbers of democrats and a proportional number of minorities in its ranks...abc radio talkshow host, reverend bernie ward, calls today's christian right the "christian white"

[jefhatfield]

i also applaud anybody who gets an accredited degree in anything

even unaccredited institutions, in our rural area, like non aba accredited monterey college of law, non wasc accredited california state university monterey bay*, and some programs of the naval postgraduate school, still offer valuable education and classes to the people of the central coast in california

basically, all learning K-12, and after high school is honorable

the only schools i don't like are the ones where you send them money and they send you up a printed diploma in the subject of your choice ;)

*- after tens years in existence, california state university monterey bay finally achieved its regional wasc accredidation, but the major college manuals still don't list it ):

[wdlove]

i agree with you 100% percent

i truly believe christianity goes through its ups and downs...looking at jesus, his disciples, martin luther, billy graham, the pope, mother theresa, and the many christian aid organizations are examples of the good in christianity

but there is also the darkside...the false prophets and misguided (or very guided) hidden agendas like the crusades, killing native americans and other indigenous peoples, and today's racist, ultra conservative christian right in america (i.e. - bob jones university)

while not every member of martin Luther's reform or billy graham's successful crusades are all good or every member of today's christian right is bad, there is a dark movement that smacks of false religion in today's christian right...it appears more white and right wing than some nazi or kkk gatherings and agendas and not much different than Hitler's holy crusade to take over the world under the banner of a white, superior christian race

christianity is not meant to be right wing, or left wing for that matter, and if America's christian coalition was fueled strictly by the bible, you would see equal numbers of democrats and a proportional number of minorities in its ranks...abc radio talkshow host, reverend bernie ward, calls today's christian right the "christian white"

Jesus himself said many times in the gospels to beware of false prophets. Many will come in my name, I have told you so that you will be on your guard. I feel very safe in my belief and the Church that I attend. We are Christ and Bible centered.

Thank you Jef for being accepting of all legitimate degrees. The important thing is for there to be an accrediting agency.

[solvs]

Thank you Jef.
What, no love for me wdlove? :p

[jefhatfield]

Jesus himself said many times in the gospels to beware of false prophets. Many will come in my name, I have told you so that you will be on your guard. I feel very safe in my belief and the Church that I attend. We are Christ and Bible centered.

Thank you Jef for being accepting of all legitimate degrees. The important thing is for there to be an accrediting agency.

i wish all churches were centered on christ and the bible and were able to leave out all left, center, and right wing politics and only focus on the salvation of the world

and about accrediting agencies...cal state university monterey bay had to gut sections of an abandoned military base, remove dangerous chemicals and explosives, and get buildings wheelchair accessible...the curriculum was ok from the start

the graduates of the first ten years had to have a cal state school on their resume that was largely unrecognized by those outside of central california, and unrecognized by the regional accrediting agency and in some cases, it hurt the chances of those grads to attend graduate school elsewhere outside of the cal state university system

the navy school teaches it's military personnel with degrees that can transfer outside of the military because the military does not have too many standards they have to have for a school and its professors...but the civilians who graduate in some programs there cannot call their degree regionally accredited because outside of the military academies, the civilian college world does not really take military education for civilians seriously

some military education for military personnel is not transferrable to the real world and my friend who was certified as a paramedic in the army would have to recertify as a paramedic in the civilian world in order to continue that field...one navy seal operator was not able to rent scuba gear from a civilian dive shop unless he got certified in a civilian setting...it seemed weird to me, but he was more than willing to recertify as a civilian scuba diver

accredidation can be a strange process and not always fair...i would safely say that the 4 year degrees from the cal state university here and the master's degrees from the navy school for civilians are equally as good as the average cal state school that's accredited in another city

[wdlove]

What, no love for me wdlove? :p

I didn't realize that you were in on the discussion also. :o Yes, I will send a little love your way also my friend. ;)