Advice/Prayers about College

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waanju

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So, the college I attend (and several associated colleges nearby) is VERY anti-religious overall, and particularly hostile to Catholics.
I’m applying to transfer, but I still have to at least finish out the semester (which ends December 23). Today, there was a meeting with a retired professor, a current professor (who implied that he would fear for his job if he was not a tenured chemistry professor) and about 10 students from various religious backgrounds and from all seven of the colleges, where we talked about the hostility on campus. The professors basically suggested that we keep or heads down and “deflect” when derided in class. They also lamented the fact that my school (with the other 6) is attempting to shut down the spiritual and religious ministry, which is currently a couple rooms in the English department’s office building.
Anyways, is this running away? Is it bad?
What should I do? Should I stay? Should I stand up and defend the faith in class (I do already, but I’m ignored)?

Also, can you all pray that either I get into the school I’m applying (where I wanted to go in the first place, but stupidly did not apply to because I didn’t want to do pre-med in the summer) or that I can get through the next 3.5 years with faith intact? THis is really wearing me down. Thanks.
 
If there’s such a hostile environment that it’s threatening to your faith, then I think you’re justified in leaving, and certainly justified in not giving any more of your money to this place. It could be running away if you’re only worried about what will happen to your social status at this place by being faithful, but you do have a perfectly valid reason to go to the other school (i.e. wanting to go there in the first place and transferring once you realized that your current school wasn’t a good fit, regardless of the reason). We have a duty to witness to people who form these hostile environments, at the risk of our lives if necessary, but not at the risk of our salvation. Additionally, leaving (and perhaps making your reasons known for leaving) can be a way to point out how terrible the atmosphere there is. 🙂
 
Changing schools should be about what the change will mean for your education and your future in your chosen major. Leaving for the reasons you have stated may not bring the change you desire because people of faith are under attack every where. Your faith should be able to withstand these attacks no matter where you are or what you are doing. Even on my Facebook site I have friends who were once Catholic posting very negative comments about Catholics. I use this as an opportunity to strengthen my own faith and an opportunity to pray for them. Pray for the guidance you need in this decision. God bless you.
 
waanju said:
So, the college I attend (and several associated colleges nearby) is VERY anti-religious overall, and particularly hostile to Catholics.
I’m applying to transfer, but I still have to at least finish out the semester (which ends December 23). Today, there was a meeting with a retired professor, a current professor (who implied that he would fear for his job if he was not a tenured chemistry professor) and about 10 students from various religious backgrounds and from all seven of the colleges, where we talked about the hostility on campus. The professors basically suggested that we keep or heads down and “deflect” when derided in class. They also lamented the fact that my school (with the other 6) is attempting to shut down the spiritual and religious ministry, which is currently a couple rooms in the English department’s office building.
Anyways, is this running away? Is it bad?
What should I do? Should I stay? Should I stand up and defend the faith in class (I do already, but I’m ignored)?

Also, can you all pray that either I get into the school I’m applying (where I wanted to go in the first place, but stupidly did not apply to because I didn’t want to do pre-med in the summer) or that I can get through the next 3.5 years with faith intact? THis is really wearing me down. Thanks.
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You don’t need to stay and give money and support a college that has become totally hostile to people of faith and I will pray that you become accepted to your first choice.
 
The light most noticed is the one in the middle of darkness. If it is alone, it is also most critical.

If you want to leave the school because of academics, fine. If you want to go somewhere you think will help your faith, fine.

But don’t run away because they are spiritual bullies. Learn the meaning of bless those who curse you, and turn the other cheek. Note by the Beatitudes that if you are sticking up for your faith (which btw doesn’t give license to tell others how to believe) and are put down, then rejoice for yours is the kingdom of God.

It’s like you can learn faith “on the streets,” which is what you are now – with CAF and your closest parish as lifelines. You will have been insulted and demonized, and you will unite yourself in this way to the passion of Jesus. You will be His Simon of Cyrene, helping Him carry His cross throughout your obstinate campus.

If you want to be Peter, you will instead move by the Church and stick closely to defending her. If you want to be more like Paul, stay where you are and evangelize in “unlikely” or “hostile” territory. Go for the big prizes. But don’t scatter the fish; stay under the radar and don’t let them feel you preaching with words, but only with love and kindness. Fruit of the spirit all the way. And note St. Paul is a chameleon; he becomes like who he’s around in order to endear them and try to save some of them.

1 Cor 9:19-23
Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law—though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ—to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

So I say if you stay you’ll want to go the St. Paul route, sneak in under the radar. Don’t do evil with them, but learn not to flinch when they say things that offend you. Turn the other cheek only in that you don’t let them see they hurt you – show them the side that hasn’t been struck. If they know they didn’t hurt you, and that you are not going to judge them harshly, then they will have respect for you and they will see how powerful and stable and serene and happy you are, and at some point my want a little of what you have.

And don’t think you have to argue with them, or make them see your point of view. Let them feel your love. Listen to their stories, their joys and woes both, and feel their feelings with them. They will look at you as a messenger from God, because that’s what you are.

To emphasize that it’s not about correcting them at an intellectual level:

1 Cor 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Don’t tell somebody who doesn’t want to know God or who dislikes God, that God loves them. That just tells them that you think they’re stupid. Instead, give them a hug. Sit at the table with them. Be there when they need a ride, or help with homework. Show them that you love them. Surrender your will to the Lord, and He will be pleased to use you as His tool to bring about His will on earth.

Alan
 
Do you think there’s a point where hostility to faith IS a valid reason to leave?
Because right now, I’m dealing with professors that openly laugh at me because I’m not a relativist. “Oh, well the concept of objective truth outside of the hard sciences is just niave.”
or, “Well, you were raised in such a way that you just don’t KNOW that the Catholic Church is oppressive. You’re repressed, but once you understand that free will is a sham because we’re “meat computers” you’ll see that the concept of “sin” or “right and wrong” is just ridiculous.”

That sort of attitude is also kind of ridiculous academically, as well. Why bother pursuing truth if you don’t believe it exists? Also, the kind of dialogue we have in class (all of them are discussion based) is insane. Recently, my classmates and professor started defending pedophilia (in action!), saying that we shouldn’t see it as something wrong or a mental illness because people can’t help who they’re attracted to. When I was shocked and argued that pedophilic acts ARE wrong (citing logical reasons) and that treatment could help pedophiles to not abuse children, my professor said “Thanks for being a devil’s advocate, but let’s move on to the next thing”.

That’s not an education. That’s insanity.
 
AlanFromWichita said:
The light most noticed is the one in the middle of darkness. If it is alone, it is also most critical.

If you want to leave the school because of academics, fine. If you want to go somewhere you think will help your faith, fine.

But don’t run away because they are spiritual bullies. Learn the meaning of bless those who curse you, and turn the other cheek. Note by the Beatitudes that if you are sticking up for your faith (which btw doesn’t give license to tell others how to believe) and are put down, then rejoice for yours is the kingdom of God.

It’s like you can learn faith “on the streets,” which is what you are now – with CAF and your closest parish as lifelines. You will have been insulted and demonized, and you will unite yourself in this way to the passion of Jesus. You will be His Simon of Cyrene, helping Him carry His cross throughout your obstinate campus.

If you want to be Peter, you will instead move by the Church and stick closely to defending her. If you want to be more like Paul, stay where you are and evangelize in “unlikely” or “hostile” territory. Go for the big prizes. But don’t scatter the fish; stay under the radar and don’t let them feel you preaching with words, but only with love and kindness. Fruit of the spirit all the way. And note St. Paul is a chameleon; he becomes like who he’s around in order to endear them and try to save some of them.

1 Cor 9:19-23
Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law—though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ—to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

So I say if you stay you’ll want to go the St. Paul route, sneak in under the radar. Don’t do evil with them, but learn not to flinch when they say things that offend you. Turn the other cheek only in that you don’t let them see they hurt you – show them the side that hasn’t been struck. If they know they didn’t hurt you, and that you are not going to judge them harshly, then they will have respect for you and they will see how powerful and stable and serene and happy you are, and at some point my want a little of what you have.

And don’t think you have to argue with them, or make them see your point of view. Let them feel your love. Listen to their stories, their joys and woes both, and feel their feelings with them. They will look at you as a messenger from God, because that’s what you are.

To emphasize that it’s not about correcting them at an intellectual level:

1 Cor 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Don’t tell somebody who doesn’t want to know God or who dislikes God, that God loves them. That just tells them that you think they’re stupid. Instead, give them a hug. Sit at the table with them. Be there when they need a ride, or help with homework. Show them that you love them. Surrender your will to the Lord, and He will be pleased to use you as His tool to bring about His will on earth.

Alan
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hmm, something to consider. As it is, I only speak out when something factually incorrect is said in class or someone asks. For example, when a professor said “Catholics, for example, believe that human nature is intrinsically evil and every natural impulse, like sexual desire, or hunger, or other things, should be suppressed.”

Other than that, people think I’m a nice kid who’s just too focused on school to party.
 
waanju said:
hmm, something to consider. As it is, I only speak out when something factually incorrect is said in class or someone asks. For example, when a professor said “Catholics, for example, believe that human nature is intrinsically evil and every natural impulse, like sexual desire, or hunger, or other things, should be suppressed.”

Other than that, people think I’m a nice kid who’s just too focused on school to party.
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Those people sound pretty bad. You would certainly be justified if you want to leave. I’m just saying don’t let them kick you out, you know what I mean? Like saying they can’t fire you because you quit, type of thing. If there are no other reasons to go other than to obtain abuse and get a martyrdom merit badge, than I too would say dump the place.

Alan
 
AlanFromWichita said:
The light most noticed is the one in the middle of darkness. If it is alone, it is also most critical.

If you want to leave the school because of academics, fine. If you want to go somewhere you think will help your faith, fine.

But don’t run away because they are spiritual bullies. Learn the meaning of bless those who curse you, and turn the other cheek. Note by the Beatitudes that if you are sticking up for your faith (which btw doesn’t give license to tell others how to believe) and are put down, then rejoice for yours is the kingdom of God.

It’s like you can learn faith “on the streets,” which is what you are now – with CAF and your closest parish as lifelines. You will have been insulted and demonized, and you will unite yourself in this way to the passion of Jesus. You will be His Simon of Cyrene, helping Him carry His cross throughout your obstinate campus.

If you want to be Peter, you will instead move by the Church and stick closely to defending her. If you want to be more like Paul, stay where you are and evangelize in “unlikely” or “hostile” territory. Go for the big prizes. But don’t scatter the fish; stay under the radar and don’t let them feel you preaching with words, but only with love and kindness. Fruit of the spirit all the way. And note St. Paul is a chameleon; he becomes like who he’s around in order to endear them and try to save some of them.

1 Cor 9:19-23
Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law—though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ—to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

So I say if you stay you’ll want to go the St. Paul route, sneak in under the radar. Don’t do evil with them, but learn not to flinch when they say things that offend you. Turn the other cheek only in that you don’t let them see they hurt you – show them the side that hasn’t been struck. If they know they didn’t hurt you, and that you are not going to judge them harshly, then they will have respect for you and they will see how powerful and stable and serene and happy you are, and at some point my want a little of what you have.

And don’t think you have to argue with them, or make them see your point of view. Let them feel your love. Listen to their stories, their joys and woes both, and feel their feelings with them. They will look at you as a messenger from God, because that’s what you are.

To emphasize that it’s not about correcting them at an intellectual level:

1 Cor 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Don’t tell somebody who doesn’t want to know God or who dislikes God, that God loves them. That just tells them that you think they’re stupid. Instead, give them a hug. Sit at the table with them. Be there when they need a ride, or help with homework. Show them that you love them. Surrender your will to the Lord, and He will be pleased to use you as His tool to bring about His will on earth.

Alan
Click to expand...
I respectfully disagree. He (his parents) are paying for an education. You are not obligated to pay and support an institution if you are constantly under attack. There is no excuse to have to put up with bad behavior especially if you have to pay to attend. There is never an excuse for harassment in an education field and this may be a sign to cut one’s losses and split to something better. he isn’t stuck there and does not need to take abuse.
 
robwar said:
I respectfully disagree. He (his parents) are paying for an education. You are not obligated to pay and support an institution if you are constantly under attack. There is no excuse to have to put up with bad behavior especially if you have to pay to attend. There is never an excuse for harassment in an education field and this may be a sign to cut one’s losses and split to something better. he isn’t stuck there and does not need to take abuse.
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👍
AlanFromWichita said:
Those people sound pretty bad. You would certainly be justified if you want to leave. I’m just saying don’t let them kick you out, you know what I mean? Like saying they can’t fire you because you quit, type of thing. If there are no other reasons to go other than to obtain abuse and get a martyrdom merit badge, than I too would say dump the place.

Alan
Click to expand...
 
Okay. Thanks everyone! You’ve really helped me to sort of step back and think about this more.

For the record, I’m a girl :curtsey: I chose a rather silly user name, didn’t I?
 
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