Student Attitudes

W. Carl Ketcherside

[Page 110]

     It is becoming ever more evident that there is a growing state of student discontent in the liberal arts colleges maintained by members of the Churches of Christ. Much of it takes the form of a seething inner revolt against the parochial stance and dogmatic attitude so frequently reflected by administration and faculty. There is a general feeling that the student body is walled in from real life with its multitudinous problems, and is subjected to over-protectionism more adapted to juveniles and scholars on a junior high school level.

     A good example of this is found in the lectureships which feature speakers who are "safe" and "sound" by establishment standards, men who will say what they are expected to say, or who can couch their message in such language as to render it fairly vapid and nebulous. Students would like to hear controversial figures and be able to openly question them. They would prefer dialogue to monologue, especially when the latter specializes in repetition of old cliches and stereotyped expressions.

     The administrators are generally dedicated to maintaining the status quo and regard as the first and greatest commandment, "Don't rock the boat." But while they can regulate who may speak to the students they cannot police the conversation of the students among themselves. A great deal of vital thinking is being done by some brilliant young men and women, and they are no longer "buying" all that is dished up by professors who want to "make their calling and election sure" with the source of income.

     Students find themselves relatively helpless when a teacher is summarily dismissed because of a depth of spiritual experience or a developing breadth of fellowship reaching across our nonsensical walls, but they lay these things up in their hearts, and some day they will be in a position to make a difference. They are not unaware of the fact that often it is the one most dedicated to Christ who is filtered out while those who are willing to parrot the party line are lauded as the hope of maintaining our factional future.

     We do not share the feeling that college men and women ought to sit supinely and gulp down all that is fed them without question. We believe that it is healthful to challenge whatever is said. Some of our traditional interpretations are pretty childish and a wee bit silly. If we have become the most ardent challengers of the whole religious world, we ought not to object when we are asked to sup from our own spoon. Socrates was right when he said that "the unexamined life is not worth living," but I should like to add that "the unexamined faith is not worth having."

     It is too much to hope that we will regain our integrity as a religious movement overnight, but it is comforting to know that there are those who are willing to work for it. I welcome the questioning attitude when turned inward upon our own views and interpretations. Each generation must honestly face up to its own errors in thinking if it will eliminate rather than perpetuate them. Truth needs no buttressing of false rationalization. Let men be free and let the truth be known!

     "Our colleges" are making their pitch for public recognition and support by causing it to appear that the students are a docile lot who will remain properly curbed and harnessed. That may not be exactly "cricket" because there is more than one way to have a revolution. It isn't necessary to carry a supply of Spam and soda crackers into the administration building and settle down for a spell until the police arrive and clobber you and toss you out into the yard. Nor is it essential that you set the library on fire with gasoline-filled Coke Bottles. The really effective revolution occurs in the hearts and minds of men who seek for truth regardless of obstacles, and who will adopt it regardless of cost. It is here that many of our younger brethren will measure up to the best of men.