Posted on 11/07/2003 8:07:26 PM PST by Counterprotester
At the liberal university, poking fun at and openly putting down or criticizing a religion or ethnic group constitutes an unforgivable infraction of the highest severity...it's "ethnocentric", "threatening", "against the philosophy of multiculturalism"...that is, of course, unless the group you are targeting happens to be Christians. Because they are viewed as being part of the dominant establishment, Christians are fair game for snide comments and critical examination that students and politically correct professors wouldn't dare utter otherwise. This means that quite often, those few Christian students who are brave enough to attend the "liberal" university often find themselves in hostile territory. Sitting in her women's studies class for example, Amanda Cosgrove was shocked at what her professor was telling the class. "Christianity is an oppressive, patriarchal religion." Many of the students around her nodded their head emphatically in (typical) hypnotic agreement. Similarly, in his "Environmental Philosophy" class, Christopher Jackson was speechless after a fellow student made an obnoxious comment about "Christians," eliciting self righteous laughter from most of the class. Instead of scolding the pupil, the professor laughed along. Had the student made a comment about Muslims or Jews (though anti-Semitism is becoming increasingly accepted on college campuses as well) he would have been met with immediate cries of racism and fascism (or called an oppressive Christian) from students and professors alike. Why is it that an institution that is supposedly so dedicated to diversity and acceptance such a hotbed for bigotry against Christians? Whatever happened to the spirit of inclusion? These Christian students are just now learning what many of us have known for a very long time...the delicate gloves and politically correct language one must adopt or die when approaching and talking about "minority" groups of any kind are not required when dealing with anything even remotely "establishment." When talking about extremist views in Islam for example, everyone must be careful (rightfully so of course) to distinguish between "Islam" and "Fundamentalist or Wahabbi Islam." Failing to do so will usually earn one sharp rebuke from a professor or angry Muslim student. At the university however, there is typically no distinction made between mainstream Christians and those that perverse the religion with their own biases and ideas of "What would Jesus do" when discussing topics such as abortion and marriage. In addition, many students find themselves having to read and analyze works that are explicitly anti-Christian and offensive. When Sarah Morena had to do formal analysis on Andres Serrano's highly controversial artwork "Piss Christ" and discuss other works featuring the Holy Mother covered in elephant dung, her professor praised the works for their "message" and criticized those protesting against the "art" work as attempting to stifle the arts and impose their religion on others. "It was ridiculous," Morena told us. "How would they react if I made an art piece called 'Piss Koran,' or threw elephant dung at a picture of Martin Luther King? I would have been strung up by an angry mob!"
[Image] Above: Art? Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ" features a crucifix in a jar of urine.
It is time for professors to apply their own rules when dealing with issues of Christianity at the University. They don't and shouldn't ever have to tip-toe around religion, but they should at least be sensitive to the fact that religion is a very important part of many student's lives. The open hostility to the religion has many students scared to speak up in defense when something "Christian" is put down or critiqued. "I'm a closet Christian," one student told us. "So often the professor is so wrong in his interpretation of what the 'Christian' argument or viewpoint is...but I feel like I will be picked on or looked down upon for my faith if I try to speak up." Amanda Cosgrove agrees. "After all the laughter the student's comment invoked, I felt angry but scared to challenge him. I really didn't have the energy to defend the inevitable barrage of criticism had I spoken up...looking back I wish I had though." Indeed, until professors can learn to shut off their own personal feelings or issues with the Christian religion, it is important for students to speak up when a professor offends them. Let them know that you are a Christian (or Jew, or whatever), and challenge broad swipes and generalizations about your religion. Many professors like to make comments and jokes and move on fast after a short laugh. Don't let them get away with it. For example, after his professor made a joke about priests molesting boys during class one day, Daniel Frank confronted his professor in front of the whole class to remind him that 99% of priests in America have not been involved in a sex scandal. We also recommend reminding the professor that such comments are not very "aware" or in the spirit of "liberalism." That should be more than enough to put the professor on the defensive, or at least make them think twice before making another "joke." If all else fails, protest administration and gather like-minded students to lodge a formal complaint. If enough people get together for anything they are bound to make changes.
Congratulations, it's an art.
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