Courses threaten students' faiths

By MEGAN DONLEY
Collegian Staff Writer

Most students come to the University expecting to get an education that does not include a threat to their religious faith or beliefs. But that is exactly what some students think happens when they enroll in some religious studies courses.

Great Commission Christian Life began as a group of people from a local church who attempted to educate themselves about Christian theology but decided to open the group up to any students interested in learning more about Christianity. They watch a short film and hold an informal discussion afterward twice a week.

Fliers advertising the group's meetings read "CHRISTIANS! Tired of those so-called religious studies classes where they do little more than tear your faith apart?" And some members of the organization said that is exactly what has happened to them in some religious studies and theology classes.

Josh Tiner (senior-civil engineering) took a class on early church history. He said he could tell right away that the material was not going to be taught the way it is presented in the Bible. Realizing he would not get what he expected from the class, Tiner dropped it.

Another commission member, Chuck Wynn, graduated from the University three years ago. As a member of the church affiliated with Great Commission, he attends the meetings.

He recalls taking a basic survey class of the New Testament without really knowing what to expect. After a while, Wynn said, it became clear that there was a bias against Christianity in the class.

Wynn studied on his own and realized his instructor had left out certain points and ideas. He ended up earning an A but does not believe it was a good class for anyone wanting to know what Christians believe.

But Gary N. Knoppers, associate professor of religious studies, said it works both ways. The material presented can be encouraging for personal faith and also, at times, challenging.

It can occasionally be troubling for students but can also shed new light on some subjects, Knoppers said. To a certain extent, students enrolled in philosophy or history courses may encounter the same problem, he said, suggesting that students keep an open mind.

"If a professor is doing a good job, he does offer students a new perspective. That's the nature of the humanities," Knoppers said.

Damon Anderson, who graduated last semester with a degree in religious studies and philosophy, said he had no problem with his classes. He thought of his major as a study about religion, not faiths or beliefs.

Anderson also is nondenominational in his religious beliefs and cites that as being helpful.

Kristen Hornstra (freshman-elementary education) is working on a minor in religious studies and is now enrolled in a class, but she said there are definite conflicts. She said most people taking religious studies classes are Christians and that can cause problems.