The Religious Nerd

Many, many years ago I was a brand new student at Everett Community College.  I was young, enthusiastic, energetic, and thought I had the whole world in my hands.  I decided that I either wanted to be a psychologist, a wealthy businessman, or a lawyer.  My first quarter of school I enrolled in Psychology 101 and couldn’t wait to learn more about myself and this exciting field of work.  I arrived to class early, I sat near the front of the class by the professor, and I had a pen and pad ready in hand before class even started.

Within 10 minutes of lecturing the professor explained that life is meaningless, relationships are pointless (and subsequently that anyone in his class was expected to dump whoever they were currently dating on focus on his class alone ).  He went on about how Republicans are evil, marriage is disgusting, pornography is good, and he asked if there were any lesbians in the classroom with an excited look on his face.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, how could a professor at a public school get away with this kind of behavior? As the quarter continued on it became apparent that he was also an atheist.  He would belittle and demean the kids in the class who would try to justify their moral values according to their religious belief systems. He would threaten to fail the kids who didn’t agree with him.The worst part of this story is that there were a lot of young impressionable minds in the class who were overly enthusiastic about the professors hateful ramblings.

The fact is, young minds are extremely impressionable.  Whether we like to admit it or not, it is around the late high school and early college years that we discover who we are as individuals.  I’m not writing just in regards to how you dress, whether you like rap or rock, or if your behavior conforms to what is considered “cool” by most people.  I am more concerned with your spiritual identity, whether your identity is in Christ or in the world. Because of the intense experiences you may encounter in school (or in the world)  you need to prepare your mind, heart, and soul.  You will be laughed at, you will be ridiculed, your belief system will be misrepresented, and therefore you must do something about it right now!

I ask you high school and college aged students to follow my next series of posts on the topic of “Staying Christian in College”.  My points will be biblical, and highly practical in helping you stand firm in your faith at college and the “real world”.  My motives are to help you grow firm in your faith and to shine some light on those around you who don’t know Jesus.

For His Glory,

Brandon