TooMuchSexy.blog ‣ May 21, 2005 ‣ We’re Not All Christian (blog)

On Thursday afternoon after receiving my diploma we were asked to sit down and listen to two speakers. While I was frustrated at being forced to listen to more speeches I obliged, it was my graduation and these things only last once. Plus, I figured the speakers had been waiting to speak so I should be polite and listen.

The first speaker was the president of our Student Government Association. He got up and spoke about how long we’ve been here, how hard it is to accept graduation, blah blah blah, the usual stuff you would expect. The next thing you know he begins quoting the bible. At this point I stood up and began leaving. I took some photos with friends and walked towards my family.

As I was walking to my family I heard the president of the SGA praising Christ. All I could think of is how utterly disrespectful it was for him to preach to Christ at the graduation of so many students of diverse religions and culture. Where the fuck did he get off telling me how the only way for me to gain greatness in life was to accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior. As my blood was boiling I shouted it him, “We’re not all Christian!”

I hope he heard me and internalized this. I hope all the Christians in the audience heard me and realized the error in their ways. Not everyone in the audience was Christian. Rutgers-Newark is the most diverse campus in the nation. Christians have no right to get up in front of the school and tell us how better they are than us.

We are not all Christian, respect that. Don’t preach to me.

Nate ‧ Posted 3 years, 2 months, 4 days, 12 hours, 31 minutes ago

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Comments

1. Uhg— I’m sorry that some douche bag thought that preaching about his faith to you pissed you off. It’s one thing if he was talking about Christ on a personal level, but telling you how to live your life is something else entirely.

   I hope he heard you.

   — Gabe 

1. Actually, the point I realized the guy was nuts is when he said “And the only answer is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior…”

   Good lord! That’s way beyond preaching, that’s bullshit. Up until that point, he was annoying but almost acceptable. But man, I could not believe that.

   And considering how many people in the crowd were wearing Muslim garb, I could not believe it.

   Sorry that happened, but if it means anything you’re right in your feelings. He was way out of line.

   — Jack 

1. That sucks that that guy thought it was acceptable to praise Jesus in front of a diverse crowd.  However, it also sucks that you are clumping all Christians into one category.  “I hope all the Christians in the audience heard me and realized the error in their ways. Not everyone in the audience was Christian.” Right, not everyone in the audience was Christian, but not all Christians think it’s okay to push their religion on somebody.  Don’t blame a whole religious group for one man’s mistake.  Congrats on graduating, though (off subject).

   — Meagan 

1. Fair enough. I’m annoyed with myself that I did get so pissed off in the sense that it is a diverse campus and it is his right to speak about his love of Christ.

   I just felt it was uncalled for at the time and place. I mean, it is a diverse campus and that includes Christians. I just felt it was unfair for him to preach about Jesus when I couldn’t preach about Krishna or God or my lack thereof.

   Apologies for grouping all Christians together like that, I just have gotten more aggrivated at Christians with Bush in presidency and I have also never seen Hindus, Buddhists, or Jews try and convert an entire audience, nor have I seen other Jews, Hindus, or Buddhists cheering them on.

   Christianity is a religion based on conversion and it does affect the relations Christians have with other peoples, not everyone fits that stereotype but it does exist.

   — Nate 

1. i’m sorry, dude. that must have been a truly traumatizing experience.

   i once saw a sticker of a jesus fish eating a darwin fish on someone’s car. that really fucked me up. …and it was even on one of the most diverse roads around here.

   >:P

   — Jeff Foster 

1. All I can say is “right on man!”

   Christians do deserve clumping together, because the moderate ones don’t police their crazies on their own. And there’s a f’ing lot of crazies.

   I’m really proud that you stood up and spoke for me and those like me that fear the organized reprisals that DO OCCUR when you mention that you’re not like the bible-thumpers.

   To the people on the comments here who say “don’t paint us all with the same brush”:  I say go out right now and practice your evangelical religion—go convert a foaming at the mouth, muslim-hating, freedom-hating, diversity-hating Christ Lover to your religion. I dig on the Jesus….but I sure hate christians, because more people who identify themselves with that term are mean and hateful than actually follow the Man’s word.

   But you don’t need to convert me. I’m fine right here where I am. Thank you.

   — Josh Rochester 

1. I don’t consider myself Christian, either. However, I also don’t consider your behavior there appropriate. You had the chance - and took it - to simply leave. You should have left it at that.

   — Erik J. Barzeski 

1. Come on, Jeff!  You’re way too sensitive.

   I know the stretch of road to which you’re referring.  I drive it all the time and I constantly see cars decorated with all kinds of religious paraphernalia.  You’re the first person I’ve ever known to get angry about that.  However, even I get a little annoyed each time I drive under that banner that reads “THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY REMINDS YOU TO PRAISE ALLAH FOR HIS WONDERFUL GIFT OF THIS PUBLIC INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.”

   Same thing with Etan’s graduation.  All those people in the audience have every right to wear crosses, Muslim headdresses, or whatever.  But the person delivering the commencement speech is acting as a representative of the school, which is a state university.  So yes, I’d be a little offended, too, if I heard a commencement speech at a public school that expressed the opinion that all non-Christians are bound for Hell.

   Please tell me that you understand the difference.

   — Mister Swill 

1. All Christians are not “preachy”. The statements in etan’s post display a lot of hostility towards Christians which is unfair. Christians are people and Christianity is a religion may I remind you. What the president of your school did may have been inappopriate however I don’t see how disgracing the memory of Jesus Christ with that disgusting image is right. I am suprised that someone who chose philosophy as a major could be so thoughtless and immature.

   And by the way, its not about who is better because of their faith, its about morality, truth and being thankful. I know that I am a sinner and in order to know that I need to know what sin is. Stop just focusing on the methods and see the intentions. What are your intentions by putting that picture up? My belief is to get revenge by offending. What you are doing is far worse than what you are accusing the other man of.

   — anisoptera 

1. the president should have made a speech that steered away from the mention of one religion because rutgers newark is the most diverse campus in the nation.  his speech should have reflected that diversity. 
   on another note, not all christians are religion-pushers. i myself do not go preaching to all my muslim, hindu, and jewish friends trying to influence them to change their ways.  be careful not to stereotype…
   back to the first note… i don’t think we’ll be graced by any more speeches from the president of the SGA since he made an ass of himself and the association.

   — lauren 

1. ani: We’ve discussed my webcam photograph via email. I did not post it to offend anyone. I post photos of my shirts all the time. I haven’t been home to take it down yet, but I will when I get a chance.

   I find the art on the shirt amazing and wanted to share it. Sorry it offends you so much.

   — Nate 

1. i highly doubt that at any point did he actually say “the only way for you to gain greatness in life is to accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. …and oh, by the way, us christians are better than you.”

   if those were the exact words you heard, then i’ll admit; that’s slightly annoying. if those are how you felt his words came across that’s another thing entirely, and even more ridiculous for you to get upset about. …I’d like to know what he actually said.

   also, the only thing offensive about the webcam image is it’s aesthetic immaturity. that looks like a 12 year old drew it. ( though if it was a 12 year old, then i guess i’m slightly impressed. )

   — Jeff Foster 

1. Jeff, I was there and he very clearly did say “And the only answer is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior…”

   Everyone there heard that. And since there is most likely a videotape of the ceremony being made by Rutgers, the chances are good that will be on it.

   I feel confident enough in my own memory and recollection that if I had to go on trial and testify that is what was said, I’d do so in a heartbeat.

   — Jack 

1. woah woah, calm down with the melodramatic court stuff, jack.

   the way this complaint was written, it sounds like paraphrasing and exaggerating at best.

   if by some stretch of the imagination he really did just get up and tell everyone they’d burn if they dont join his club, well then i concede, that must have been mildly irritating.

   …even still, i think *someone* is overreacting to something so meaningless. President Bush does the same crap every time you hear him say anything, and it’s meaningless dribble. again, i guess my point is this:
   “who cares? you do? really? i cant understand why.”

   — Jeff Foster 

1. I know this is besides the point but Rutgers-Newark CANNOT be the most diverse university in the nation.  I think the University of California at Berkeley is more deserving of that title.  Go Bears!

   — Jennypher 

1. Jenny: US News and World Reports has listed Rutgers-Newark as the most diverse university for the past eight years. I am guessing they decide the amount of diversity by counting the number of countries represented on the campus.

   The actual title is pretty meaningless. Yes, it’s lovely to have tons of different peoples and colors represented on campus but diversity does not imply integration. It is rare to see people on the Rutgers-Newark campus with friends outside of their comfort zone. Most people of the same ethnicity tend to stick together. That’s my experience, I can’t speak for everyone but it’s what I’ve noticed in my years at Rutgers-Newark.

   — Nate 

1. Etan your response to my response makes me feel good. Thank you for that.

   

   — anisoptera 

1. “President Bush does the same crap every time you hear him say anything…”

   As much as I personally hate President Bush, the issue is the difference between the atmosphere he’s created and the people he’s inspired.

   Do you think for one second ANY complaint against George W. Bush is ever taken seriously on any level?  The guy is emboldened by the people who support him. Affect the people, and you affect change.

   In this case, a college graduation is a unique thing.  For many it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. For someone to say such things at an event like that is just callous and cold.  Etan’s opinion is right and—thankfully—his complaints were echoed by other students and family who were there.

   Can you imagine being Muslim, working hard to study, spending 4-5 years of your life to get a degree, getting that degree and then afterwards being told you “And the only answer is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior…” What message does that send to anyone? Nothing positive in any way.

   Is it making a mountain out of a molehil? No. If someone is a vegertarian and I force meat on them, I would get an equally ‘Stop that…’ response.

   In this case Jeff I think you’re attitude in downplaying this is another symptom of the religious ‘you’re with us or you’re against us’ turn this country has taken. The concept that Christians are a group that is constantly beat down and needs ‘support’ is as ludacris notion at best.

   I’ve seen commencements where Jews, Bhuddists and Muslims spoke and none felt the need to prostelytize.  I only wish Christians would finally ‘get it’ and leave the rest of us alone already.

   — Jack 

1. This is ridiculous.  Making fun of Christians and Christianity is easy and overplayed.  How about we all find something more creative and ORIGINAL to make fun of.  I’m sure we’ve heard all the same bullshit about how much Christians/Christianity sucks.  It’s a tired argument.  It’s about time to find something else to rant about.

   — Meagan 

1. i fail to see how a graduation speech is much different than a presidential address to the nation, beyond frequency.

   i also fail to see how some idiot saying some thing that doesn’t resonate with you personally is like having meat forced down your vegetarian mouth. …it seems to me much more like being a vegetarian and having to hear someone say “hamburgers are the most delicious thing ever, and there’s no other way to satisfy your hunger” at a graduation speech.

   third failure is your “concept of christians as a group are constantly beat down” …i cant even imagine where you came up with that. …did you think i said that? because i cant find any statement i’ve made that you could possibly extrapolate that from. but i’d agree; it’s a ridiculous thing to say that about a majority.

   again, just to recap, my point is this: “who cares? you do? really? i cant understand why.”

   — Jeff Foster 

1. i agree with meagan. let’s start making fun of the handicapped

   — ed 

1. incredible. have you ever looked at a dollar bill? it says plainly in English if you learned that, “in God We Trust” you have all been brainwashed by the seperation of church and state crowd because you are not taught history. I find it incredible that teenagers will question the hell out of and not believe the things their parents say, not do the things their parents tell them to do and just generally rebel against them when the parents have the kids best interests at heart. That same person being of the wise and mature age of 18 has listened to teachers over the last 12 years, 7 or 8 teachers a day every day for 8 months and then the next year a whole new group of teachers in the great majority of cases, but when this teacher, this person you’ve only known for a few months stands up and says there is supposed to be seperation of church and state then you guys take this banner up and run with it. It’s all there, all you have to do is a little research on your own to find out the truth or you can take the mush your teachers have been teaching you with out question or you can start looking in places like the “Federalist Papers”, you can read the constitution and the bill of rights. America is clearly built on Christian principles as a Christian nation. So what religion are you, muslim, well Amewricans are the sacreligious infidels and maybe you should whip up a nice little batch of some bio agent to release. America affords everyone the right to speak what ever they want to, it doesnb’t mewan you have to listen, grow up. walk out but don’t ever try to shut another American up because they are saying something you don’t agree with. I spent 10 years in the Navy and even if I don’t agree with you I’ll die defending your right to say it.

   Grow up people, your liberties are being stolen right out from underneath you by people who don’t want you being able to think independently or being knowledgable about history.

   — Donald Tharpe 

1. So what religion are you, muslim, well Amewricans are the sacreligious infidels and maybe you should whip up a nice little batch of some bio agent to release. America affords everyone the right to speak what ever they want to, it doesnb’t mewan you have to listen, grow up. walk out but don’t ever try to shut another American up because they are saying something you don’t agree with. I spent 10 years in the Navy and even if I don’t agree with you I’ll die defending your right to say it.

   Just because someone is Muslim, you’re implying that Muslims are not Americans? Yes America allows freedom of speech so the guy at the graduation spoke about God and Etan freely hurled his own opinion at him in response. So shouldn’t you die defending Etan’s right to respond as well as an American? America, back then was built on Christian beliefs but America is also built on people challenging injustice and built by immigrants from many nations. If you just look at the small history you are referring to, then isn’t America also built on slavery? So since America was built on also slavery, was it right and should we uphold that tradition? Absolutely not. Same thing with saying that America was built just on Christianity. Christians originally came to America to escape religious persecution.
   America has grown and its people have created and challenged this nation to be something different, something that can be described as a “free” nation. We’re far from idealistic and perfect but we are still free to have our own beliefs and say what we want to say. If you travel to a country that doesn’t allow freedom of religion, you see a big difference.

   — D 

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