Monday, January 24, 2005

CT says: College is dirty!

Well, for those of you locked away in Huntington's sex-deprived culture, Christianity Today is here to provide what "regular college life" is like in explicit detail. Here's the scoop: it's just like late night cable movie channels only dirtier. I'm not sure what it's like "out there" but from I've seen at a place like Northwestern, apparently people are having sex with each other, but the way these articles make it sound, dorm life at these schools is one giant amazing orgy.

Vigen Guroian starts the report, representing what happens to a professor of theology with conservative leanings who enters a Liberal Arts (actually liberal, not in name only) academic institution. He contrasts his experiences in the pure days of the 1960s to the moral depravity he sees daily at Loyola in Baltimore. Titled "Dorm Brothel" and subtitled "the new debauchery and the colleges that let it happen," you would think that Gurojan's experiences at the University of Virginia happened in the 1860s, not the 1960s. Although he alludes to some sexual activity that his frat mates participated in, he points out all of the self policing and parenting that went on amongst his friends. Weren't the 60s what started it all?

The article is long and not all together interesting, but he goes on to describe the dorm set up at many urban institutions and how they no longer afford the valuable walk of shame that make it public knowledge which girls were "easy" and which ones were not, apparently a form of "self-parenting". As the article wraps up, the thesis is apprently this: "It is not that what this student describes was unheard of in the 1960s. Frankly, I can tell similar stories about my college experience. Nevertheless, this was the exception rather than a commonplace occurrence. For colleges made it clear to young men and women that such behavior was unacceptable, and had in place living arrangements with rules and sanctions that discouraged it." Sex at college goes way back, but now everyone is doing it? or maybe just the college gave up fighting it.

Here's an especially interesting quote: "In the new culture that our colleges incubate and maintain, everyone is a "guy." Everyone is "familiar." Young men and women who have never seen anyone of the opposite sex naked or in underwear, other than family members, now must get used to being seen by and seeing others—perfect strangers—in just such a state. Everyone is available to everyone else. It would be antisocial not to be." This is a perfect quote for the other article of note, the more interesting to read but the less substantial, "What to Say at a Naked Party" by Frederica Mathewes-Green.

Frederica confirms the previous aritcles whore storries by alluding to an alluring social gathering where the only requirement for admission is nudity. Implying that these are happening at every college and have thousands in attendance, Frederica paints a picture not all too different from Wright Hall. What is interesting about this piece, written by someone on the "frontline" of college purity is the strategies they see employed, practical, romantic, and objective morality. The only answer, she believes, is evangelism. "I believe that the only conversation that will currently make sense begins with faith in God. The best we can do is speak passionately about our own experience—our own transformative contact with God, and how it has reordered actions and relationships, and empowered ever-greater deeds and greater love." I hate to say it, but she may be right, and as such, we should plan on seeing a lot more sex at college because college students, famously short sighted, will no doubt take the accessible body over the difficult work of faith.

The point of posting this on here was to remind everyone that conservative evangelicals love a good sex story as much as the next person. Further, I would suggest that such stories serve as the mental stage setting for those who fear what happens to a place like Huntington if it continues to "turn liberal." No doubt, they would see the men and women floors in Baker and M/M as the next step from all dorm naked parties and non-stop sexual experimentation.

8 Comments:

At 1/24/2005 7:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting article. I'm surprised that people are surprised by this kind of interaction. I would guess that the reason these people are so shocked by this behavior is the fact that they haven't turned on MTV in quite some time. If you watch a good hour of MTV you can see any number or reality based experiences that point to this very behavior (if you are still among the number of American's who would never "support" MTV, you can rent The Real Cancun to see how all-american college students like to get down).
Maybe Campus Crusade isn't so bad in this regard. I have a friend who went to Miami University (of Ohio) who painted a picture not too far from what we read about in CT. The only thing that took her out of this kind of environment was her new found faith in God and the Christian support system she found within Crusade.
As much as we all hate to admit it, maybe we should be checking out Crusade's mission and figure out how we can be a part of it.

 
At 1/24/2005 9:00 PM, Blogger Dusty said...

No one had sex in the 60's. In fact that crap about the stork was legit until about the time I discovered sex, around 7th grade (not be experiencing it...) Now, the world has caught on, but I am still holding out...You know I never buy into anything once it gets too popular...I will wait for the next big thing.

 
At 1/25/2005 1:35 AM, Blogger jonny said...

I am quitting 2005 and moving to 1758. I will hunt with a musket and learn to play fiddle. There will be no swearing or atheists or public schools. I will make children and a wife from clay and pray real hard that they turn into people. They will, of course, because I will also be an itinerant preacher. The sheriff, too. And maybe the governor of the Lousiana Territory at some point. I will probably smoke a whole lot, too. Just so you know.

 
At 1/25/2005 9:27 AM, Blogger Dusty said...

I am with Jonny, who wants to start The Village?

 
At 1/25/2005 7:28 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

somebody should post a sweet awesome post on the boards decision about sanders and point out their complete and obvious denial of any wrong doing and lack of integrity. something that will make me want to cuss less.......

 
At 1/26/2005 5:35 PM, Blogger jonny said...

I would, but I can't post anymore. I'm in 1758 starting a new life. You guys should stop by Wednesday's nights for "Why Not?" It's blast. Paul Smith is speaking tonight. He's our new blacksmith. Man can that guy hammer the crap out of metal...

 
At 1/27/2005 3:40 PM, Blogger Jake Sikora said...

a post on the board is forthcoming from yours truely. I have to finish two things first, one is reading the document a couple of more times, and the second is a promised e-mail to blair before i post anything. but it's coming...and you guys are hilarious.

 
At 1/27/2005 3:46 PM, Blogger Jake Sikora said...

Andy: sorry to contribute to the continued non-response to your thoughtful response about my somewhat thoughtful post. You are right about the validity of things like Campus Crusade. I think that what people like us could do is help them realize that just because you don't want to go to naked parties doesn't mean you want to "crusade" if you know what I mean. I think about someone like Doc who was too good of a fit in this environment and spent all of his time preaching about the coming hell for the unconverted. Authentic Christian responses are no doubt needed on these campuses.

 

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