Do College Students Understand the First Amendment?

College campuses have a reputation for being fertile ground for discussion and debate when it comes to issues of the day.  Public universities in particular are viewed as being a place where those with alternative views and perspectives cannot only have a voice but find others who share their perspectives.  As a result a university community might not only have a Young Republican and Young Democrat organizations but clubs representing extreme perspectives like Socialism and Communism.  We expect the same kind of atmosphere today.  After all the current generation of college students grew up have a reputation of being tolerant and open-minded. 

A recent survey of college students seems to indicate the exact opposite might be true.  The study was done by John Villasenor, a Brookings Institution senior fellow and University of California at Los Angeles professor.  It was motivated by concerns about the “narrowing window of permissible topics” for discussion on campuses.  John Villasenor conducted a nationwide survey of 1,500 undergraduate students at four-year colleges.

The Back Lives Matter movement began as a response to what many saw as the intentional targeting of Blacks by police officers.  It was to be expected that there would be protest and rallies on college campuses.  It was a cause many young people identified with.  The conflict arose when individuals with the opposite perspective wanted to express their views on campus.  Many universities cancelled the appearance of White Supremacist on their campuses because they feared a violent response.  If John Villasenor’s study is correct they had a reason to be concerned.  One in five of the college students polled responded that it was “acceptable to use violence to disrupt a controversial speaker.  Over half of those polled felt it was acceptable “shout over controversial speakers so they can’t be heard.”

Today’s young people might have a reputation for being tolerant and desiring to be politically correct but that open-mindedness only goes so far.  When pushed, many college students will strike back.  In such situation using violence is permissible. And we are left to ask, “Where did this come from.”  Is it possible this is a learned behavior?  Could we, as older adults, encouraged this behavior by our response to view points and perspectives that run counter to our traditions or value systems? 

As a society I believe we all need to listen more and talk less.  We also need to respect those who hold different beliefs, perspectives and value systems.  We do not need to agree with someone to love them and respect them.  In the process they might begin to see Jesus in us.  Remember Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, “The Son of Man came not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him.”  (John 3:17)   Perhaps we need to condemn less and practice grace more.

Religious or Spiritual?

Many years ago I led numerous Bible studies using the book How to be a Christian without Being Religious by Fritz Ridenhour.  The book was a survey of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans in an insightful, yet easy to comprehend manner.  Fritz Ridenour’s premise was obvious.  There is a big difference between giving the outward signs of being religious, going to church and wearing a cross, and walking the path of discipleship. The Gospel should not only be applied to our lives, but should spread throughout our lives and impact all our relationships.

I thought of Fritz Ridenour’s book as I read a new report from Pew Research.  The debate between being “religious” and “spiritual” continues to this day.  In the current context, religious people would include practicing Christians who attend church and carry their Bibles.  Spiritual individuals believe in a “supreme being” and might even pray but have little use for organized religion.   According to the latest data from Pew Research, a growing number of American fall into the latter category.  It is easy to see this as a disturbing trend.  It is shown in the reality that mainline denominations are losing members and one church after another faces the challenge of continuing its ministry as attendance declines. 

From my perspective this is more of a challenge, than it is a tragedy.  The challenge lies in being Jesus’ disciples in a broken and lost world.  The fact that a good percentage of the people we meet each day consider themselves spiritual needs to seen as a positive.  The challenge comes in putting aside our “religious” expectations and focusing on the Gospel.  Today’s teens and young adults long for authenticity.  Religious traditions and practices mean little to them unless they are applied to daily life.

That is the challenge.  How do we pass the torch of faith and values in a way that is going to impact the lives of the next generation?  It will not happen if we only have fellowship with our “church” friends.  It means stepping out of our comfort zone into the world of contemporary culture.  It requires us being Jesus in a broken world. 

Reformation 500: Where Have We Gone Wrong

Where have we gone wrong?  It was a question I was moved to ask as I read the recent report from Pew Research.  As we get ready to celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation staff at Pew Research polled American to gain an insight into how people view the Reformation and the biblical perspective Martin Luther and other reformers espoused.   Obviously we have not gotten the word out effectively.  According to the poll only 17% of mainline Protestants believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Even more shocking is the 53% associate good works with salvation.  While it is difficult to know what portion of those surveyed are Lutheran, it is still shocking to me that so many who view the Reformation as a historically significant event miss the whole point.

My experience tells me that even some “good Lutherans” get confused.  I remember my experience years ago with the Kennedy evangelism approach.   People I spoke with were quick to respond “yes” when asked about their hope for eternal life.  When it came to the question of “how” their response most often was, “I have tried to lead a good life.”  Many of those interviewed had grown up in the Lutheran Church but still were clinging to the idea that “I must have to do something.”

When writing curriculum, whether it was for a Bible class, Sunday school or confirmation, I was taught to make sure the Gospel was clearly presented in each lesson.  When I am asked to preach, I always make sure that the story of salvation is stated clearly.  You never know when someone might be hearing it for the first time.  In discussing faith with others I always err on the side of caution when talking about grace and God’s unconditional love for us.

I know a lot of Lutheran communities are planning special service to celebrate the 500 Anniversary of the Reformation.  I guess that is okay, but I think the best way we can celebrate is by being Gospel-Centered in our dealings with people, especially the lost and those who might be different from us.