52 thoughts on “Gustavus’ Christian faith presence”

1. hypocrisy in higher-ed… what a surprise. My friend goes to school at Gustavus, and you’re right about them misrepresenting its tradition. hope you’re right about the changes; Gustavus probably isn’t the only college that needs it. But I’m sure its a good place to start

2. This letter gives a very inaccurate representation of faith on campus. Gustavus maintains a strong Christian tradition and encourages faith dialogues among students. There are daily chapel services where scripture is indeed read before each homily. There are many faith based organizations on campus including FCA, Prepare, Proclaim, and GYO. Also, the chaplains do not ignore any tenets of Christianity.

   With that being said, other criticisms of our campus are unsupported. The presence of condoms and sex education simply address the fact that college students are sexually active. In addition, the curricula of the religion and science departments reflect scholarly debate and empirical research, not some kind of ‘liberal’ bias’. Gustavus is first and foremost a place for learning, not refuge for dogma.

3. Mr. Tommerdahl,

   Thank you for your comments and thoughts about Gustavus.

   While I respect that you feel that certain aspects of GAC do not uphold the same Christian values that you and Emily do, I wish to point out a few things. There are so many interpretations of the Bible that you cannot assume that yours is correct nor that Gustavus does not wish to uphold some interpretation. Gustavus intends to be a non-threatening higher education institution. By imposing a strict interpretation, they would be going against the college’s ideal and become an exclusive institution catering to an incredibly small, elite demographic.

   If you felt sincerely offended, you could have stepped forward sometime in the past four years or removed your daughter from the school. Announcing this four years after you placed your deposit down is cowardly and irresponsible on your part. Did you anytime four years ago actually visit Gustavus? The school culture and atmosphere should not be a surprise at this point in your daughter’s college career.

   I do agree that Gustavus is misrepresented by the administration and that the board of trustees wishes to have a more traditional and conservative atmosphere than do the students. Nonetheless, they did not lie to you. If you came to the Gustavus community with a preconceived notion of what Gustavus is and represents, that is your own negligence.

   Best,

   Elizabeth

4. Mr. Tommerdahl,

   While I respect the fact that you have the right to your own opinions, here are two opinions of mine:

   1. Waiting to address this until the very last issue of the Weekly in your daughter’s senior year is cowardly. In my opinion, I think even you realize the level of the exaggeration in your claims. Had you felt your claims and arguments ironclad, one would assume you would have addressed them much earlier in your daughter’s collegiate career; that is, if they are as important to you as you claim.

   2. The official description of Gustavus states: “Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, liberal-arts, religiously-affiliated educational institution.” The key word: affiliated. This means we are an educational institution with a basic foundation in the Christian values, however we are not a church, nor do we force opinions or views on anyone here.

   One last question: I am curious to know, what would have offended your high Christian moral standards more? The condom machines in dormitories and proper sex education? Or the number of STDs and illegitimate children that could be being produced at Gustavus without these things?

   Cheers,
   Brit

5. Dear Defenders of Gustavus,
   First, I admire the literary skills of those writing. Your ability to depict your perspectives and opinions were well written, but short of known experiences of our family over a four year period.
   Unlike a blog, the Weekly restricted our ability to illustrate a full four-year experience, so please accept this “highlight” blog post. We did and still admire Gustauvs Adolphus, my letter was not an attack on the institution, but experiences within. We will continue to be advid supporters and pray for its well-being.

   Okay, to the blog posts…..

   The assumption “If you came to the Gustavus community with a preconceived notion of what Gustavus is and represents, that is your own negligence.” We performed our due diligences prior to accepting Gustavus as an academic and spiritual choice. If you read my letter with an open mind, you will note we met with multiple parties beyond those noted in the article, to which every party confirmed Christ lived on campus. When President Peterson or the Chaplains spoke with us, we honored and respected their words and character. We placed our trust in these respected and responsible parties of authority. Why would we conceive them to be liars?

   “If you felt sincerely offended, you could have stepped forward sometime in the past four years or removed your daughter from the school. Announcing this four years after you placed your deposit down is cowardly and irresponsible” To assume we are cowards or irresponsible easily permits us to cast aside your accusation. The leave would have been cowardess and irresponsible, as a strong Christian woman, she did not run.
   Our family, my daughter enjoyed several conversations and meetings in her first, second and third year. We were not idle “whiners”, but instead we worked closely with the past and this administration to bring intellectual diversity in academics and faith to all Gustavus students.

   Onto this experience, in the fall of 2006, my daughter was verbally assaulted in two separate instances, one dealing with her pro-life beliefs and the other in her defense of traditional marriage. At the time, the Dean of Students was unwillingly to act, yet one week later he broadcasted a campus email depicting a similar situation involving a gay student. I immediately asked this question – GLBT students receive their safe zone, minority students have the Diversity Center, liberal students the arm of several professors, where is there a “safe zone” for conservative Christian students on campus? The Dean could not answer the question, which lead to a meeting with President Peterson, Dean Toutain, Dean Anderson and Provost Morton. In presenting the same question, they admitted themselves; an imbalance at Gustavus did exist, they could not find one person or campus organization able to mentor my daughter and her conservative Christian friends; their words.

   “The presence of condoms and sex education simply address the fact that college students are sexually active.” I ask this party to define “safe sex”. As a person involved in medicine, I have investigated “HPV” and the percentage of woman practicing “safe sex”, now battling cancer. The medical aspect aside, where is Gustavus’ abstinence message? The Gospel holds many lessons about maturity, restraint, discipline and honor giving to those who hold their body and future in deep regard. In addition, a condom machine was placed within 3 feet of my daughter’s dorm; my mother’s comments were perfect – “If sex is so important to these students, what is wrong with Walgreens?” It is easier for a Gustavus student to find multiple points of condom distribution, than available sites for Bibles.

   “Gustavus maintains a strong Christian tradition and encourages faith dialogues among students….” Chapel attendance is minimal; to subscribe to the premise that daily Chapel instills a strong Christian presence confuses me. One of the most important events within a Christian community is the Birth of Christ, the celebration of Advent. Correct me please, according to the Chaplain’s office, Advent services were eliminated because of the lack of faith [importance], due to the loss of a Christ’s message on campus. To the comment, if Gustavus Adolphus maintains and encourages a Christian Lutheran dialogue, one would believe those deep rooted efforts are working and a majority of students would practice daily Chapel and Advent services.

   “There are so many interpretations of the Bible that you cannot assume that yours is correct nor that Gustavus does not wish to uphold some interpretation”. In the Old and New Testament, specific instructions give us lessons to live a Christ filled life. Help interpret this Bible verse for me “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable” Leviticus 20:13. I understand in using this verse, many who subscribe to a more secular, liberal interpretation of the Bible will ask, “should their heads be removed…” I will admit individuals will use select Bible verses to interpret their or for justification of their behavior. However, to dissect certain passages for one’s own glory versus the entirety of the Bible in His glory subverts the teachings of our Father. For ELCA members, look at the division it has caused within, imaging the division the more liberal, secular beliefs of the Bible have divided Gustavus.

   Our family has received emails and editorial indications of being “Christian extremists”. For those of you who know my daughter or have worked with us in the development of Africa Partners, Shoes for Peru or J-terms programs serving the world poor at Gustavus, do you perceive us to be extremists? For those who do not know our family, we welcome you with open arms, mind and hearts. We are God’s children. We serve each other in His name, Jesus Christ.

   May The Lord bless you and keep you.
   May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
   May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

   Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
   Be patient with me.

   Lord Jesus Christ, you are patient with me
   Show me how to be patient.

   Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God
   Have mercy on me.

   Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God
   Have pity on me and heal me.

   Jesus Christ, Son of God
   I give you thanks and praise

   Jesus Christ, Son of God
   Help me hear your voice.

   Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

   Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil; for you are with me.

   Lord Jesus Christ, I believe.
   Help my unbelief.

   You desire truth in the inward being; therefore
   teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

   Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself for me (us)
   Show me how to be humble for you.

   Lord Jesus Christ, you are gentle with me,
   Show me how to be gentle.

   Lord Jesus Christ, you have forgiven me,
   Help me to forgive.

   Lord Jesus Christ, You are compassionate,
   Show me how to be compassionate.

   Lord Jesus Christ, be my light in the darkness
   And heal me.

   1. “Help interpret this Bible verse for me “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable” Leviticus 20:13.”

      I am going to take your rhetorical question seriously, if you do not mind.

      For several short analyses follow the link below. Some biblical scholars argue that the above verse only applies to specific homosexual behavior in the pagan temples.
      http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibh3.htm

      Additionally, one should understand the meaning of the word “abomination” when used in the bible. For information on this see the wiki page below. The translation you have given uses the word detestable, which I would argue is inaccurate.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abomination_%28Bible%29

      I would also suggest the film “For the Bible Tells Me So.”

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_bible_tells_me_so

      One should never forget that when one reads a text, one is necessarily interpreting it relative to current times, unless one has the ability to perfectly forget current times and perfectly remember past times. This fact alone should encourage any Christian to study the bible in a historical frame of mind.

      You may ignore all of this, calling it a “liberal translation,” but as you said, one should look at the bible in its entirety. Sometimes that requires dissecting specific passages or words. It certainly requires an openness to various translations and interpretations.

   2. Mr. Tommerdahl,

      Thankfully the Gustavus community is starting to respond to your comments. Please understand that I do not entirely disagree with you nor do I wish to attack you personally. I simply see many bigoted and intolerant issues in your writing. In the interest of time, seeing as I am preoccupied with graduating from this institution of lies and the various events surrounding it, I wish to risk a liberal internet presence and leave you with a few thoughts.

      1. The Safe Zone was a student initiative that has grown and is now supported by the college. Nothing prevented your daughter from starting an organization that she feels promotes her values, as underrepresented as they are. You mention that liberal students have the arm of several professors, but have you sought out the ones that agree with your belief system?

      2. Your apathy and ignorance towards sex education, GLBT issues, and the Gustavus diversity is disturbing. Attitudes similar to yours have caused great distress to and violence towards the children of God that you have decided do not deserve your or Christ’s true love and acceptance. A verbal disagreement of conservative beliefs is in no way comparable to hate-filled slander. Forgive me, but I fail to see how a verbal disagreement in abortion and traditional marriage carries the same weight or importance as hateful anti- GLBT or racially charged actions.

      3. Perhaps you should ask your daughter about chapel attendance, since you seem to believe that she is there every day. I doubt you have been here enough to witness it everyday. Additionally consider using trusted and valid sources to back your points, as Professor Fothergill has demonstrated.

      4. How is causing a scene in the campus center over condom distribution an example of sharing Christ’s love?

      5. I highly doubt Residential Life placed the condom machine 3 feet (which I would like to point out is a gross exaggeration) from your daughter’s place of living after she decided to live there.

      6. Please interpret this verse for me and share how you have seen this upheld:

      Leviticus 15:28 ‘When she [a woman] is cleansed from her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean. 29 On the eighth day she must take two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 30 The priest is to sacrifice one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way he will make atonement for her before the LORD for the uncleanness of her discharge.

      7. Where is your daughter in this discussion?

      Best,
      Elizabeth

      1. Both Elizabeth and Peter espouse relativism and try to enforce objective meaning onto interpretations. They do neither consistently. For Peter, I would recommend the essay Revenge of the DWEM’s which will help situate your conversation about interpretive context, translation, hermeneutics, etc. For Elizabeth, I would recommend The Drama of Scripture because it will help develop for you a mental model by which you can better position yourself to gain greater understanding into what it might mean to read a scripture verse and comprehend its meaning. Its nothing magical or superstitious, its just that the narrative out of which you pull those sentences must be framed more appropriately. It helps to view the plot of the story before you ask to understand fully a single sentence from it.

         http://www.phc.edu/gj_dwems.php

         http://www.amazon.com/Drama-Scripture-Finding-Place-Biblical/dp/0801027462

         I find it easy to be angry and bitter. I hope we are willing to to participate in not just the conversation of our generation, but one that has spanned generations. Don’t take yourself in isolation. Be willing to engage openly.

      2. Mr. M.,

         Please explain to me precisely where I was inconsistent in the above post. Additionally, explain how have I tried to “enforce objective meaning onto interpretations.”

         Yes I took a brief look at the “Revenge of the DWEMS.” It followed the great tradition of a dialogue, “(or tetralog, in this case)” in which Socrates argues against a fool (or set of fools in this case), thereby proving his great intelligence.

6. Dear Bloggers:

   Before I address responses to Mr. Tommerdahl, I want to disclose a previous encounter.

   I met Mr. Tommerdahl nearly four years ago when he presented his works in Africa and Peru. He inspired me to look at why “man’s will” creates our world’s injustices versus questioning God’s will surrounding poverty, abuse, injustice and social ills. Opening my eyes further was Mr. Tommerdahl’s promotion of intellectual diversity, which I believe his original post was trying to address. Mr. Tommerdahl is not trying to stifle any person’s belief, lifestyle or religious interpretations, but to bring balance in curriculums, media resources and religious practices of Christianity at Gustavus Adolphus. On this topic of intellectual diversity, where are the blog posts expressing concerns or a willingness to examine a conservative Christian’s experience at Gustavus?

   I experienced a liberal, secular bias in professors interperting the bible. As a freshman, I naively nearly accepted the tarnishing of God’s word with him using modern man’s terms of proselytizing the bible. This prof stated – “God created man and woman to be sexual, not to necessarily populate the world.” I pondered his attitude and asked – “so a man having sex with another man, placing his genitals into another man is a sexual creation in accordance to God, so remind me, what was God’s reason for creating woman, solely sexual and equivalent to two men sexually?” [As a woman I was degraded by the sense I am a sexual object and as a Christian highly offended regarding God’s reasons for creating my gender.] The professor promptly labeled me “homophobic” with little justification of his words or the labeling of my Judeo-Christian morals.

   Mr. Weeks, I admire your post, but a couple of properly placed words challenged my sensibilities. “Some biblical scholars” and “One should never forget that when one reads a text, one is necessarily interpreting it relative to current times, unless one has the ability to perfectly forget current times and perfectly remember past times.” Some, not all scholars; is the word “some” quantitative or qualitative? Moreover, if a modern man interpretation of Leviticus exists, how should we interpret these bible verses of past times into current times? Genesis 2:24-25, Hebrews 13:4, Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9? If a modern man’s bible interpretation has a defense for man on man sex, which other bibilical lessons should we interpert into behavorila justification; the Ten Commandments?

   My hope for modern man, 1 Corinthians 6:11 – “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” God, be with us.

7. Dear Mr. Tommerdahl,

   I’d like to offer one correction to this excerpt from your preceding comment (per your request that begins the second sentence):

   “One of the most important events within a Christian community is the Birth of Christ, the celebration of Advent. Correct me please, according to the Chaplain’s office, Advent services were eliminated because of the lack of faith [importance], due to the loss of a Christ’s message on campus. To the comment, if Gustavus Adolphus maintains and encourages a Christian Lutheran dialogue, one would believe those deep rooted efforts are working and a majority of students would practice daily Chapel and Advent services.”

   The Chapel Staff did, in fact, hold services on the second, third, and fourth Sundays of Advent during December 2009 (the first Sunday of Advent fell during Thanksgiving Recess). The daily services during the month of December included prayers and hymns specific to the Advent season, and the Chapel even held two hymn festivals within one week (“Advent Hymns of Old” on Tuesday, 15 December 2009, and “An Advent Hymn Festival Celebrating the Musical Ministry of Paul O. Manz” on Thursday, 17 December 2009).

   Signs and symbols of the Advent season were also present in Christ Chapel during this time: the Advent wreath could be seen near the baptismal font and the liturgical paraments were changed from green (Ordinary Time) to blue (Advent).

   I believe that it would be more accurate to state that the College fully ’embraced’ Advent rather than ‘eliminated’ any observance of the season.

   Most sincerely,
   Chad Fothergill
   Cantor at Christ Chapel

8. Mr. Tommerdahl,

   I would like to take issue with one particular point of your most recent response. You stated, “Chapel attendance is minimal; to subscribe to the premise that daily Chapel instills a strong Christian presence confuses me.”

   First of all, the fact that Gustavus offers a daily chapel service is what shows our strong religious roots. How many colleges/universities even offer a daily service? The fact that attendance is minimal is not the college’s fault.

   Second of all, the “minimal” attendance also does not symbolize a lack of religious fervor among the student body. My average attendance at daily chapel is once a week or so, but I still consider myself to be a person of faith. Oftentimes, Chapel break is my only chance to grab a bite to eat between classes, finish up an assignment, or spend some time in a practice room. Just because I am not present at every single service does not mean that there is reason to question my Christian faith, it just means that time is a very valuable resource on a college campus. This same thing can probably be said for many people on our campus.

   Also, as a disclaimer to this message — I am a Christian, I went to a private, religious elementary school, and people who know me do not question my faith. I also believe in open discussion, I’m pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-love, and pro-acceptance. I chose to attend Gustavus because it is a religiously-affiliated college with an open mind.

   Best,
   Brit Barkholtz

   1. “The fact that attendance is minimal is not the college’s fault.”

      You think there is any possibility that the christians on campus are are not going to chapel precisely because of what the college does? Desecrating that which is sacred, and representing as truth that which is heresy places plenty of fault with the college for minimizing student attendence. How many christians are going to attend a chapel service that barely gives lip service to that which the building was named after? Two? How many non-christians are going to waste their time at an event that distorts the christian tradition and provides very little in the way of meaningful engagement? Three? Well, now we have five people. But I know of forty or fifty that would attend if they felt that those who have been entrusted with the religious leadership of the college were not hostile to the very notion of religious truth.

      “As a disclaimer to this message — I am a Christian …I’m pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-love, and pro-acceptance…”

      Ahh, yes thanks for the clarification. I think my head just exploded. I guess it would help to define your terms and give meaning to your words. What does it mean to be a christian? You sound like you want to be everything and nothing all at the same time. Truly, you sound more like a relativist or post-modernist than someone who espouses adherence to a Christian worldview. But who am I to say?

      1. Dear Jeff,

         As I member of the Chapel Staff, I am to some degree (admittedly variable depending on whom you ask) a member of the population “entrusted with the religious leadership of the College” who is apparently “hostile to the very notion of religious truth.” I guess I don’t harbor hostility towards very many things: maybe gnats and mosquitoes during summer but certainly not intentionally towards something this profound.

         As you have asked of Brit, would you be willing to say a little more about your definitions and terms quoted above?

         For instance, if I am a member of the “leadership” that you write of, I’d like to know more about the hostility perceived by the forty or fifty individuals that you know. What is “religious truth” and what might distinguish that from religious Truth? What more could we do to meet and exceed the requisite amount of “lip service” and further engage (in a meaningful manner) the students that attend?

         Most sincerely,
         Chad Fothergill
         Cantor at Christ Chapel

      2. Maybe we’ve been attending different Chapel services, because in my time at Gustavus, I have never attended a service which I felt “desecrated that which is sacred” in any way at all, nor have I come across any other student, faculty member, or community member who felt that way (until now). Our chaplains as well as our chapel staff (including Chad Fothergill) have exceeded my expectations in their unfailing ability to provide a service that caters to any degree or type of faith on campus. I (a Lutheran) have sat with two of my good friends on campus (one who is Catholic, one who is Jewish) in chapel services and all three of us have felt fulfilled by what we experienced, whether in the daily 20-minute chapel service or in the weekly hour-long service on Sunday.

         As for your question “what does it mean to be Christian?”–this is a difficult question as it encompasses many things. I have always found the poem “When I Say I’m a Christian” by Carol Wimmer to be an accurate descriptor. Also, as you say, “You sound like you want to be everything and nothing all at the same time.” — is this not the very definition of faith? We, as humans, want everything by nature; as Christians, we deserve nothing. We have been granted grace we don’t deserve. In this sense, yes, we all want to be everything because we want to be the center of our own universe, but we want to be nothing because we want to be followers of Christ. [And as an aside, you are spot-on with your final question. Since you don’t know me, who ARE you to say, really?]

9. Dear Mr. Tommerdahl:

   While there are many aspects of your argument that I find grounded on shaky foundations and outdated interpretations of the bible, several of my colleagues have already successfully addressed several of the flaws in your argument. I wish to respond to one of your points in particular.

   “where is Gustavus’ abstinence message? The Gospel holds many lessons about maturity, restraint, discipline and honor giving to those who hold their body and future in deep regard.”

   -At every sex-ed orientation event I attended as a Freshman, abstinence was always brought up as the safest way to go about (not) having sex. This is all well and good, but it is a fact that every incoming Freshman is aware of. Therefore, it makes more sense to discuss in greater detail safe sex options for those students who choose to have sex, instead of simply telling them not to and backing it up with any number of biblical passages.

   “In addition, a condom machine was placed within 3 feet of my daughter’s dorm; my mother’s comments were perfect – “If sex is so important to these students, what is wrong with Walgreens?” It is easier for a Gustavus student to find multiple points of condom distribution, than available sites for Bibles.”

   -It is naive to think that many students at Gustavus are not sexually active. It is a fact that college students have sex (gasp!), and no amount of abstinence preaching is going to stop that. It logically follows that the school should help students have the safest sex possible by providing free and easily accessible condoms. If these options did not exist, students would either go out and buy condoms (though we don’t have a Walgreen’s in St. Peter), or have unprotected sex. Thus, the college’s decision to provide the student body with safe sex options is cogent and pragmatic.

10. Ms. Winslow, I am here. Here is Brian Tommerdahl’s daughter. I have been reading. I have been following. Know that I am involved and here.

    As a graduating senior, I leave with a strong education, a new found passion, and an excitement to pursue my career as an elementary teacher. I have had classes with some of you fellow bloggers, as we even share some mutual friends and hope you are aware of the caring individual I am. I have participated in a number of organizations here on campus, as well as in the neighboring communities. I have a passion for learning and serving others, something my dad instilled in me.

    I would like to say that my dad has been my biggest ally here at Gustavus. He created wonderful, healthy communication within our GAC community and values the importance of intellectual diversity. He established J-term programs in which students have the opportunity to serve the poorest of the poor in Chimbote, Peru. He’s made donations and has firm relationships with staff and faculty. In reference to his comments, I fully support him, not only because I am his daughter, but also because I know, better than anyone, the nature behind this continued conversation. We are by no means naïve, nor cowardly for bringing this up as graduation approaches. In fact, various conversations have been in existence for years. The fact that some see his comments as “intolerant” and bigoted goes exactly against the idea of an “open mind” and diversity. He is no bigot and it saddens me that fellow classmates would even consider this without truly knowing him. My father’s thoughts and concerns should be tolerated alongside those of an opposing opinion. It was my hope that I would experience this openness at Gustavus. I unfortunately did not always find this to be true, which is the foundation of our concern.

    (Just to clarify, no “scene” was caused. I was with my dad during that occasion you may have heard about. Rumors travel fast here at GAC. Also, when I lived in Arbor View my junior year there was indeed a condom machine right outside our door. My dad was being generous with his three-foot estimate. I’d say it was less than two. Ask any of my roommates.)

    So, as I am just as busy as you other graduating seniors, I hope to write in more detail in due time. Perhaps I will have more time to gather my thoughts and words together. I will continue reading and following. Thank you for your time. God Bless.

11. Perhaps this will add some more substance to Mr. Tommerdahl’s viewpoint by adding some depth to a perspective that a 300 word LTE can not incorporate.

    http://gustavus.campusreform.org/group/blog/exposing-instances-of-religious-bias-at-gustavus

    You’ll see then that this isn’t as one person claims an attempt at “imposing a strict interpretation… against the college’s ideal … [to] become an exclusive institution catering to an incredibly small, elite demographic.”

    In fact far from being a “non-threatening institution” you will find here reports of comprehensive hostility towards particular groups of individuals. Not only have these reports shown hostility and discrimination, you too in your responses to Mr. Tommerdahl express complete disrespect for another individual’s point of view and desire to share with readers a short summary of experiences he has had. Apparently, the tolerance you have been trained in is so short sighted.

12. Phil,

    My first reaction is that you can’t possibly be serious with your comments. I then took some time to carefully and thoughtfully read the link to the article you posted, as well as the website it came from, and I have now revised my opinion entirely. It’s all too obvious that not only are you serious, you genuinely believe that Gustavus is a community where overtly religious and conservative members of the student body are persecuted and ridiculed for their beliefs.

    Let me dispel this myth right here and now for anyone who reads Mr. Tommerdahl’s letter and the responses: the Gustavus community, while not perfect, is an open and caring community of students who by and large mean well. Obviously if you put 2200+ 18-22 year old people in a few square miles, you’re going to get a few incidents where people aren’t the nicest to each other. These specific and isolated incidents, however, are not singularly aimed at religious and/or politically conservative students on campus. There have been a few other well-documented incidents of hate on campus directed towards ethnic and religious minorities, especially the writing of the hate-words “fag”, “Jew” (used as an insult), and “homo” on magazine covers in the library, as graffiti on people’s whiteboards, and in bathroom stalls across campus. In my years at Gustavus, I never saw “conservative”, “Christian”, or a similar reference used to insult anyone. Which incidents are more compelling: allegorical and unfounded claims of misdeeds posted on a website with an obvious agenda (thus rendering the entire claim suspect), or well-documented incidents which sparked campus-wide communication and growth (i.e. the swastika stomped in the snow, the defacing of the magazine in the library)?

    So, no, Phil, there isn’t a campus-wide movement or prejudice against Christians or conservatives. Your point of view that there is some nefarious plan in place to discriminate against people with conservative views seems to have picked up in the past few years with more outspoken students on campus (i.e. Garrett), but in my experience at Gustavus there is no such attitude. I don’t believe you were on campus in 2004 when Bush won his reelection bid; numerous outspoken liberals on campus quelled anti-Bush sentiment with strong pleas to be tolerant and gracious in defeat. My personal experiences in the political science department, a group of students which is arguably the most politically charged of any subset of students on campus, were that differing views were well-tolerated as long as they were thoughtful and articulate. People like Garrett (whom I do not dislike, just for the record) were often brash and conveyed their messages in ways which seemed to draw out conflict. This is true of your response, as well.

    Finally, I’d like to address the points Mr. Tommerdahl made in his original letter. I doubt you intended to stir up such a controversy, Mr. Tommerdahl, but your words evoke powerful responses in the hearts and minds of current and past Gustavus students. My career at Gustavus was an incredible one, filled with richly fulfilling moments and experiences which I cherish. I find it regrettable that your experience as a parent were not so rewarding, and that after four years you are now expressing your views in a way which offers little chance for students and faculty to address them (aside from responding here, of course). I believe this is what Ms. Winslow meant by referring to your letter as “cowardly”, but I would never presume to speak for someone else. I sincerely hope you were able to enjoy your daughter’s graduation this past weekend. Additionally, if you felt so compelled to write your letter, maybe you will parley that into ongoing communication with Gustavus administration and faculty so that your voice can be heard. If nothing else, I hope you feel vindicated in writing your letter and voicing your concerns, and I hope the responses to your letter have not painted Gustavus in a negative light. You must understand, criticisms of a place so many people love are often responded to with strong emotions.

    Best wishes,

    Eric

13. I would like to applaud Eric’s comment, as I believe it is spot-on.

    Phil – I am not by any means pushing this point as an attack on you, however I do have an objection to your portrayal of Gustavus students as persecuting religious or conservative students. While it is true that I will only be starting my third year at Gustavus this fall, I have seen (especially around the time of the election) a lot of highly-politically-charged movements, propaganda, conversation, debate, and yes, even insults. However, I have yet to see a threatening or malicious overt attack of the conservative views of an individual. What I HAVE seen is anti-homosexual slurs written across campus, including a personal attack directed at a friend of mine on his whiteboard on his dorm door. What I HAVE seen is the graffiti on cars on the hill this past fall, targeting other minority groups with slurs such as “n****r,” “Jew,” and “fag,” as Eric mentioned.

    It is honestly a little disrespectful to the minorities on campus to act as though you are the most persecuted demographic on campus (or anywhere else for that matter). You are what Gender Studies students would refer to as a W.H.A.M. — a white, heterosexual, American male. This puts you in the most privileged position of anyone on our campus, and the least-discriminated one at that. Although it is obviously still possible that you have faced some backlash, I feel that many minority students would argue that you have it “easy” compared to them. However, I do not wish to speak for fellow students as I too fall into a fairly privileged category–only one notch less privileged than you, as I am female. I merely wish to point out the error in your logic that I feel may cause some unrest among our minority students on campus.

    Bottom line: If you had felt that you were unsafe or threatened in any way by any “attacks” or “persecution” you have faced, the ball was in your court. You could have reported any incidents, started a safe zone of your own, or at the very least merely mentioned any of these feelings to a trusted faculty member who surely would have been able to offer some advice. Our campus does not persecute religious fervor or lack thereof, we make a point to be open and accepting of all. I challenge you to try and open your eyes a little wider to see this perspective.

14. As an alumni with a child who is currently looking at colleges, this discussion is highly enlightening. I must say that most of what I have experienced, read or heard about the religious atmosphere on campus mirrors more closely what Mr. Tommerdahl has said than anything else.

    As someone who has roots in a more conservative Lutheran denomination, you all must know that the question I most often hear from friends is whether I would “let” my kids go to Gustavus. I usually respond that I would send them with their eyes wide open, knowing that their faith would be under assault every bit as much as it would at, say, Carleton or the U of M.

    If members of non-Christian denominations feel spiritually “fed” during Chapel, then it clearly is not “church” as most of us parents would expect. Thanks for the insight, kids. Your comments might just help us take our tuition money down the road to a (much cheaper) secular, public university.

15. Parties believing their version of liberal-secular Christianity easily defend their interpretations of the bible or a chaplain sermons; and with ease and comfort call other bloggers negative words, make accusations against someone’s character and ignore truths. Listen to a person’s interpretation of any issue long enough, indoctrination and acceptance of similar views, you become a monotone thinker.

    Buddhist sacrifices on the altar of Christ Chapel and to no surprise defenders of a liberal-secular bible quickly deny this post. Wonderment, does reverence and holy sanctity reside in Christ’s Chapel for those liberal-secularist bible believers or is it just a building on campus? You haven’t questioned or expressed concern of the chapel’s reverence, but only attacks and slander those exposing evidence for a discussion.

    The Lutheran calendar, which day is Advent celebrated? Wednesday is most common with a vast majority of churches. Advent was part of Sunday services, but not on Wednesday. Nice try.

    Is the bible a living book of ideas? I posted a verse about homosexuality and a professor wanted you to believe it was “unrealistic” for our times. In countering his living bible theme for our times, I posted four more verses hoping for a modern time interpretation. As stated in another post, the entirety of the bible is our lesson for living a Christian life, not a sentence or two.

    Surprise, college kids have sex. Surprise, surprise the question positioned on bible distribution versus condoms, the blogger failed to address. [There may not be a Walgreens in St. Peter posted the worried blogger, but the local drug store and Holiday station carrying plenty of inventory.] As a Lutheran tradition college I too believe the bible’s availability more important than condoms. About the condom machine outside Ms. Tommerdahl’s dorm door, who will apologize to Ms. Tommerdahl for calling her a liar?

    What can I say to a particular blogger; she will unfailingly find fault and condemnation. So let me offer this poem “Who is a Christian”, by a Haiti missionary. “I am a Christian taught to feed the hungry, but I never shared a garden. I pray for the naked, but continue to dress my closet. My residence is warm and the water flows, to whom do I share my home? Am I words or am I of His word?”

    For those believing Gustavus Adolphus is a Lutheran tradition college, founded and centered in the Christian faith, why was Jesus Christ ignored during commencement services? Did Chaplain Johnson have an Apostle Peter moment or three?

    Rant, rant, yes I rant. I am done.

    As Karen states, our alumni experience mirror traditional Christian graduates of today.

16. I am an alum and agree with Karen. I am deeply troubled by what I read and elsewhere. With great saddness I fear the college is being eroded. Has anyone asked why the school has fallen short of its enrollment goals, even though it admits an astonishing 74% of applicants?

17. You really hit the nail on the head with this post. There are darn few blogs at this school other than eco, football, or cycling that I even bother to read.

18. One of the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36 NIV). Jesus replied, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).

    1. …Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

       Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

       1 Corinthians 13:4-8:

19. Brit, are you an asshole on EVERY blog???

    1. …Out of sheer curiosity, I ask you to enlighten me as to which specific statements/comments I have made that have been disrespectful or inappropriate, thus making it somehow kosher for you to label me an “asshole”…?

    2. “Harry Potter” – thank you for proving all of us liberals right about the overwhelming epidemic of self-righteous religious zealots.

20. Dear Friends:

    It still surprises me that the secular-liberal bible believers miss the message of us true Bible believer; missing the words in our messages, but also the word of God. It is unfortunate a post using a vile word was posted against Britt. I have an opinion of her bias, but would never stoop so low.

    Please read and understand the posts by Mr. Tommerdahl, his daughter, Phil, myself and others. Read with an open mind, not rash assumptions due to your positions or particular secular bible beliefs. Then step back and watch, listen and learn. Will Advent services be practiced Wednesday evening? Was a Buddist sacrifice made in Christ’s chapel? Is their reverence in Christ’s chapel? And outside of Christ’s chapels grounds, please search for God’s word and the Holy Scripture.

    Faith is a core value at Gustavus. Christ’s chapels image is boldy and proudly displayed in brochures, ads, websites and bill boards. If Gustavus is “Christ Centered”, I am waiting for that evidence.

    Jill M. Thompson

    1. It is interesting to me that when I post my opinion respectfully, I am an asshole exhibiting a “bias” that you have a negative opinion of; however when someone conservative posts their opinion, they are sheltered by some sort of Divine Right to say whatever they like. It was a very poor choice to take this from a discussion about Christianity on campus and turn it into a personal attack.

       1. Who said conservatives have a divine right to say whatever they want? Did Jill say she has a negative opinion of you? Why would she dispute a point if she agrees with it? That is probably the reason she is disputing your posts rather than the more conservative ones.

21. Dear Jill,

    A comment about your perspective of Advent observances in Christ Chapel (now stated twice within the ongoing commentary related to this article):

    First, the practice of holding Wednesday evening Advent services (also a practice of the Lenten season) is a relatively recent phenomenon for most established congregations in the wide-ranging “Lutheran tradition” and other non-Catholic denominations. (And by “recent” I use the summa of Christian history as a point of reference.) The origins of the mid-week service are kind of murky: some might say that this practice is held over from the historical framing of both Advent and Lent as penitential seasons. During these seasons, we gather more frequently to corporately confess, ask forgiveness, sing, pray, and even fast. Others might list more practical reasons: e.g. it’s the same night as choir practice, confirmation class, etc. Regarding the latter possible reason, some Lutheran congregations have found that the most convenient night to gather is Thursday.

    However, the mid-week service (regardless of day) should never hold precedence over the principal service of the Christian gathering, the Sunday service, the day of the resurrection. The readings and texts for mid-week services were only established well after the four-Sunday Advent lectionary and the respective themes within those services. The creators of any guidelines or rubrics for traditional Lutheran worship — or Christian worship, for that matter — would never emphasize the primacy of Wednesday service before a Sunday Eucharist.

    Christ Chapel certainly observes the Advent season in as many ways as possible, and I (me, personally) find it more than a little rude and dismissive to characterize our embrace of this season and its significance as a “nice try” (see 21 June comment).

    Christ Chapel does, in fact, have a regular Wednesday evening service of Holden Evening Prayer at 7.30 PM in the chapel. This is a primarily sung liturgy with readings and other prayers that are chosen to reflect the nature of and themes within each liturgical season. The service itself contains a sung setting of the Magnificat, Mary’s song from Luke, that is most appropriate during the Advent and Nativity seasons (also on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation). And, we adjust our pattern of worship on these Wednesday evenings during Advent to read the historical accounts of the Nativity in the New Testament and the ‘expectation’ and ‘anticipation’ of the Israelite peoples that permeate the psalms.

    Most sincerely,
    Chad Fothergill
    Cantor at Christ Chapel

22. Again, these post amaze me. One person posts a negative, vial word and liberals believe they have been victimized, discounting the truths within various threads. In true form liberal students ignore those fact and pounce on a “word” or stupid post versus confronting and exploring the truth of Christian conservative students on campus. I am still noting the truths from these liberal posts have been purged with a redirection back to them.

    Unfortunately that *#$hole post will create another reason for a justified “safe zone”, sensitivity training requirements to reverse moral or biblical beliefs and of course cries to the world, “we are hated, we are victims, we are liberals.”

    Okay, let’s observe Advent as “many ways a possible. Now let us address if Christ’s chapel holds reverence enlight sacrifices are made within.

    yeah, a beast is woken.

23. I think it should be up to the individual church at their discretion to have whatever topics they want and if you don’t like what they offer, then don’t send your kid there.

    Jennifer from http://www.christianbabynamesandmeanings.com

24. Jennifer, you obviously have not followed this thread. Gustavus braggs that it is a faith based institution, look at the literture, the tag lines and the photos. People were promised that if their student comes to Gustavus, yes they would experience a traditional Lutheran doctrine. Parents sent students to Gustavus based on the words of administrators and chaplins. Tell me Jennifer, how visible is Christ’s words orHis image are present on campus?

    Mr. Tommerdahl’s words still ring true.

    Jill M. Thompson

25. We should always practice our christian faith. It depends on us on how or where we follow. As long as we are in the right track.

26. Dear Clint, And what is the right track for Gustavus? Christ centered or the concerns originally expressed in the beginning of this blog?

    Jill Thompson

27. I think that other schools across the country are also “misrepresenting” I would also guess it would be the majority of schools. Are young people are taught to question everything. Authority,religion and so on. It would be impossible to control young minds to the exact standards any school presents. Just my opinion. Thanks,

28. Greetings Mr. Tommerdahl!

    I respect your opinion regarding on Gustavu. But I think, before saying such things, it would be better if you do further research regarding on how they really run the school or what are the things they teach to the students, would it be bad or good and will they really impart Christian faith to their students.

    Regards,

    Cody Felton
    Webmaster of Portable Dvd Players for Cars

29. Mr. Felton,

    Are you as student at Gustavus or a webmaster promoting your craft? If a student, you obviously do not know my history in working with Gustavus, researching policies or finding of evidence to the truth of my posts.

    Our family adores Gustavus! Our Christian faith is priority.

    Sincerely,
    Brian Tommerdahl

30. It is a shame that many of these christian colleges really aren’t Christian colleges at all. I went to Liberty University, and I can tell you that there are a lot of Christians that go to school there. There are the “bad kids” there, but most of the student population is living for Christ. I would recommend it for anyone that wants to attend a Christian university.

    a href=http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/>Is Sarah Palin running for President in 2012/

31. I also wanted to mention that no matter what Christian school you attend, there are going to be bad apples at every school. It doesn’t matter where you go. Even Bob Jones and Oral Roberts University have bad students that attend!

    http://townhall.com

32. Greetings Mr. Tommerdahl!

    I respect your opinion regarding on Gustavu. But I think, before saying such things, it would be better if you do further research regarding on how they really run the school or what are the things they teach to the students, would it be bad or good and will they really impart Christian faith to their students. Condoms machines help prevent the spread of HIV which is good.

    Regards,

    Aessiko Fillbo

33. Hello Mr. Tommerdahl

    I am sure your prayers for Gustavus and President Ohle will go out into the universe and be answered.

    And the best of luck for your daughter in the future.

34. Every institution undergoes some degree of change over time. If it didn’t, it would fail to remain a viable asset to society as it would grow obsolete.

    There is both the need to adapt to societal changes, but at the same time there is a need to remain anchored to standards it uses for marketing. When has an institution separated itself too far from what it says and what it does? Has Gustavus done this?

    That’s for the people paying (or refusing to pay) tuition to decide. The administrators will notice the change in their bottom line, and the choice will ultimately be up to them for how to either 1) brand the school or 2) enforce older policy.

    Those are my thoughts. – Adam

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