Opinion

Guest columnist

Make up your own mind about spiritual beliefs

by CALVIN BERKEBILE

I am quite sure of my beliefs on many issues. With the issue of God and religion, I believe that it is more important to be spiritual than necessarily religious. By that I mean it is more important to believe in God in your heart than to only know him through a religion. I agree that religion guides spirituality, but I myself find that religions can take on a giant effort to convert others to their faith.

True, it is acceptable to support one's own faith, but I personally believe that those willing, and more importantly ready, to know God will step up when the time is right. Organizations that take on a righteous role by seeking out those who believe and think differently and trying to convert them are not only anti-American, but just really annoying as well.

I say they are anti-American because the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, but certainly not the infringement or harassment of those of a different religion or system of beliefs.

Of course, when I think of an anti-American and annoying organization, I think of Campus Crusade for Christ, right here at Marshall University.

I am about to concur with many of the scenarios introduced by Chris Worth last week, and I encourage others to write in and share their stories, if they have any. We will see if the stories are merely a coincidence or if a pattern is forming.

Crusade came to my door my freshman year to spread the "Gospel" two years ago. There was a knock on my door and upon answering it, I saw that it was one of the Resident Advisers. He greeted me and asked if I had some time. I said that I did, and out from the hallway beside my door (where I could not see), pops the head of another man who I did not know.

The RA introduced him as a member of Crusade, then left the other man to control the conversation by asking me if I knew God. I said that I did (truthfully), and then he asked me if I went to church. I said that I did not, and then he asked if he could go over a pamphlet he had brought along with him. I agreed, thinking I'd let him have his moment in the sun. He proceeded to go over how God is this, how Jesus is that, and how coming to Crusade meetings would make the link between Heaven and me. I told him I would think about it, of course, like I do to everyone who shows up peddling something at my door, and disregarded it after that moment. But thinking back, I know I told this man that I was already saved, that I was already one with my God. However, he did not seem to care about that unless it was exactly as he saw it described in his little pamphlet.

Weeks later someone mentioned to me that going door-to-door was prohibited in the residence halls, for whatever purpose: money, support, even Gospel. In fact, Amy Simons' dictionary may say the definition of solicitation is to beg, but my trusty Residence Hall Guide says that solicitation includes the seeking of support (pages 9-10).

That could be defined in many ways, but I see Gospel as support for God, or religion, or getting saved. However, it need not be argued since we know that going door-to-door is prohibited anyway, thanks to the realization brought out by Chris WorthÕs article.

As far as the separation of men and women goes, I do believe that to be a dominant aspect of Crusade. After all, why are Bible studies separate? What kinds of Christians are running the show if they can't keep a Bible study from turning into a fantasy make-out session? How am I supposed to go to class and learn with all those women putting impure thoughts in my head?

My answer to that is that I've learned to separate impure thoughts and academic (or spiritual) subjects at hand. Seeing a pretty girl is not going to stop me from passing my classes, or else I would have already dropped out.

TodayÕs real world has men and women that have to interact; get over it. Now I'm sure all the Crusaders are just appalled by that, but so what? I'm appalled at a lot of things. Maybe at how my girlfriend once came back from the week-long December convention of Crusade in Charlotte, N.C., called me on the phone that night (New Year's Eve, by the way), and told me it was over because she needed to (and I won't ever forget this) "devote more time to God."

Well, I never knew I was interfering with her time with God, and she certainly never told me. In fact, two days before when she called me, she told me that she missed me and couldn't wait to see me again. Crazy girl or persuasive brainwashing? I guess we'll never know for sure, but I can assure you I have heard similar stories from others with the unfortunate luck to have a significant other fall into Crusade. Again, I'd like some more people write in, to see if it's just me or a pattern forming.

So far I have agreed with most of the material in Chris Worth's article. However, I do believe that some of his language was a bit harsh, especially with the Hitler and domestic violence references.

But I must admit that nobody else had the guts to speak out against Crusade on this campus, to attack such a "reputable" organization.

Some crazy ideas go a long way, like democracy and freedom, almost unheard of before colonial times. Perhaps his claim of support for dominance of women by Crusade cannot be proven now, but perhaps it might in the future.

I think it is quite sad that some female Crusade followers believe they can't be with males because they put impure thoughts into men's heads. Where would they get an idea like that?

In closing I want to make people realize that it is just words being spoken. Nothing to lose your religion over (Ha!) unless you feel the need to pursue something else. Thankfully you can do that here.

To everyone, don't let Crusade, or anyone else for that matter, tell you what you have to believe. You can do that just fine on your own.

I personally believe God will help you out with it, too. If nothing else has been accomplished this week, at least I now know that at least one Crusade follower admits that going door-to-door does occur in Crusade. I know it is their right, and one I respect, to have annoying welcome tables, infinite flyers and those who can't wait to beat Jesus into me with the Bible roam the campus.

However, I can sleep soundly knowing that all people realize that anyone going door-to-door is breaking a written rule, and can be reprimanded as such.

Let's help support the rules for the university at which we live and study and justly prosecute those who do not follow those rules.

Berkebile is a junior Spanish and international affairs major.