THE PRESIDENT OF GUSTAVUS RESPONDS

October 14, 2010

So why am publishing a third post on this issue? For me, this story represents the worst of what is happening in our nation.  We can blame the secular world all we want for the problems we face.  In truth, the churches are failing and have failed.  It is not only happening at this “Christian” college in Minnesota.  It is happening everywhere.  I’ve heard stories about public colleges, but can they be as bad as this “Christian” college?

The following is the only statement issued by the president of Gustavus Adolphus College so far.  Frankly, I can’t articulate my thoughts well. Disappointment doesn’t even come close.

You can read the statement for yourself.  It seems that two bad things happened.  Someone took videos that misrepresented the freshman orientation process. And equally “troubling,”  someone painted a slur of some kind on a rock in the middle of the night.  According to the president, the incidents “threaten our core values.” The videos “portray the College’s mission and values in a negative way.”

That is my understanding of the statement made by the president of the “Christian” college.

WHAT?????

How could this be possible?  Did the president not see the content of the videos?  Where is the criticism of the “orientation?”  Just what are the core values of this college? Faith is mentioned.  Faith in what?  How is it possible that the president of a “Christian” college can equate some spray painting on a rock, in the middle of the night, to the videos I have seen?

No wonder we’ve got problems.

Chris Reimers

The statement:

October 13, 2010

To: Gustavus Students, Faculty, and Staff

From: President Ohle

My message today is one I wish was not necessary for me to write. At Gustavus, we pride ourselves in being a community open to all and rooted in the core values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith. For most in the community, civility is a virtue. Unfortunately, I must write today to share with you incidents that have taken place over the last few weeks that are in conflict with and threaten our core values.

First, however, I feel it is important for you to know my views and the institution’s position regarding these incidents. Be assured, the incidents mentioned below are being addressed by me and discussed with many of those involved. Members of the President’s Cabinet, Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, and our extended community of alumni and friends have all weighed in with their concerns.

I realize that many of you may not be aware of these incidents. The first incident portrays the College’s mission and values in a negative way due to the fact that two videos of this year’s new student orientation have been circulating on the Internet. The two videos are edited excerpts from the presentations during orientation designed to encourage discussion about many issues all college students may face regarding differences in lifestyles and social issues. The clips only show the harsh and difficult issues students may face but do not indicate in any way the depth of discussion that takes place following the presentations. The second incident is more recent and involves some in the community who have openly disrespected others by painting over the rock that had been painted this week to express support for those celebrating “Coming Out Week.” Both incidents are troubling and unacceptable in our community.

I hope we will find better ways to share divergent perspectives and that all of us will take time to pause and think about the importance of our community and how everyone adds value to the Gustavus family. In that light, I have asked Provost Fienen and Vice President Stocco to work with faculty, students, and staff to find a time to have an open forum on these two incidents. I anticipate we will have a campus-wide forum to talk about civility and respect for others before the fall break.

Regarding the painting of the rock incident, I want to commend the Student Senate for its prompt response. Be assured, both incidents are being addressed by those of us who have responsibility for the Gustavus community.

Jack R. Ohle

President

Gustavus Adolphus College

800 West College Avenue

Saint Peter, MN 56082 507-933-7538

president@gustavus.edu <mailto:president@gustavus.edu>

Leave a Comment » | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

GUSTAVUS’ ORIENTATION CONTROVERSY

October 13, 2010

…………………….It appears the controversy surrounding the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America College is “Gathering Steam.”

Thankfully, students at Gustavus Adolphus College who don’t approve of the sexually explicit freshman orientation have started a campus blog.  It is a fine blog with links to the videos that have created such fervor.  And rightfully so.  The link to the blog is at the bottom of this post.

I am waiting to see a press release from the president of the college located in St. Peter, Minnesota.  It will be noted on the Wings of the Wind as soon as it becomes public.

Here is one of the email responses that can be found by clicking on “Texts of Emails about Orientation” at the Campus Majority blog site noted below.

—– Original Message —–

From: Scott Grorud
Subject: FW: [Boardtalk] Fw: “Rated R” at ELCA Gustavus Adolphus CollegeOrientation

Dear Friends,

This e-mail has been making the rounds this weekend, but if you haven’t yet seen them, the two videos linked at the bottom of the message below are a tragic witness to the theological vacuum that has entered so many ELCA and other mainline Christian institutions. They are not easy to watch, but the saddest part is at the very end of the second one.

What I find most troubling about them is not the material presented. Sadly, our young people hear such messages constantly from the culture. What is most troubling is the complete lack of any Christian convictions or any moral context to analyze, critique or oppose this cultural rot. (The videos are excerpts, but they give little reason even to hope that a countering message was also presented.) The individual and his/her desires/thoughts/ideas have become idols. Plenty of this concerns the Sixth Commandment (adultery), but much more of it concerns the First (no other gods). That this can be presented at a college that still claims to be Christian and Lutheran reveals just how big a battle we’re fighting for the soul of Christianity today.

As the parent of a college student, I can’t help but wonder, too, about the tens of thousands of dollars being shelled out by faithful Christian parents who are taking false comfort from the fact that their children are attending a “Christian” college. Where is the obligation of the college to live up to its own mission and claims about itself? If you are an alumnus/a, a parent of a student or a donor to GAC, I hope you will make your convictions known to the administration.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Scott

(The part of the second video that saddened Pastor Scott so much was a proud statement from one of the students about how he came to the college and became an atheist.)

Gustavus’ Orientation “Controversy” Gathering Steam

THE ORIENTATION

I went back to the month this blog debuted.  An article ran about a dramatic production on campus.  It’s obvious that sexually explicit productions have been accepted at this college for some time.

What happened to “Oklahoma?”

I greatly appreciate it that a few students cared enough to take a stand for righteousness.  Not only are they brave, God has talented them in my view.

CR

Leave a Comment » | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

A BILLION PEOPLE GO HUNGRY IN 2010

October 11, 2010

This is probably the most under-reported story of the year.  It is probably the most under-reported story each year.

It is a truth that is hard to hear.  It is rarely mentioned in the mainstream media, and I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t focused on it as much as I should myself.

One thing about food – its abundance is dependent on the last harvest.  The amount of hungry people could always increase in a hurry.

I understand that many who go hungry do so because of crazy leaders.  How many times has America sent food somewhere only to be taken by thugs?

This doesn’t mean that we don’t keep trying.  This is a problem that should receive so much more attention.  Unfortunately, stories about hungry people don’t sell newspapers.

Here is a section of scripture that bothers me.

24“But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.

25“Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

26“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.  -Luke 6

Does it bother me enough to cause me to act?

Here’s a portion of a song written by one of my favorite artists:

In the slums of Port-au-Prince

When the rain comes pouring down

The homeless people sleep on the muddy ground

And the children die so young

‘Cause there’s not enough to eat

When their only food is the garbage

They have found

-Randy Stonehill, The Judgement Day, 1985

CR

The story:

Poverty, conflict and political instability mean some one billion people went hungry this year, many of them children in Africa and Asia, according to the Global Hunger Index report released on Monday.

Out of 122 countries included in the annual report, 25 have “alarming” levels of hunger and four countries in Africa have “extremely alarming” hunger, says the report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Concern Worldwide, and Welthungerhilfe.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) fared the worst in the hunger index, which is based on data from 2003-2008.

Three-quarters of the population in the vast central African country were under-nourished, and DRC also has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world, the researchers who compiled the index found.

Three factors were used to calculate the Global Hunger Index (GHI): the proportion of undernourished people in a country, the prevalence of underweight children, and the child mortality rate.

Leave a Comment » | Commentary, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

FOURTH GRADER BARRED FROM READING BIBLE DURING RECESS

October 8, 2010

I remember a young pastor being asked not to return to my high school for the Bible studies he led for a small group at lunchtime. That was 1975.

To not allow a “stranger” (non-student, non-parent, non-teacher) onto a campus is one thing.  This story is something else.

If the Bible is not open for discussion during recess, then what is?

CR

The story from CitizenLink:

A five-year struggle for one Tennessee student’s religious liberties entered a new legal phase on Tuesday.

In 2005, the then-10-year-old Karns Elementary student and a few classmates read and discussed their Bibles during a recess period. When an unnamed parent complained, the principal ordered the student-led study to be stopped.

The Alliance Defense Fund, representing the minor and his parents, Samuel and Tina Whitson, appealed the case this week after receiving a negative jury verdict and being denied a new trial.  The case now goes to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Christian students shouldn’t be prohibited from reading and discussing their Bibles at public schools during non-instructional time,” said ADF Senior Counsel Nate Kellum.  “That continues to be our primary concern in this case. The Constitution does not prohibit Bibles during recess; it prohibits the banning of Bibles during recess.”

http://www.citizenlink.com/2010/10/knoxville-fourth-grader-barred-from-reading-bible-during-recess

2 Comments | Commentary, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

CALIFORNIA PASTORS SILENT ON POT LEGISLATION

October 8, 2010

Why am I not surprised?

Could it be that it was very difficult in Garland County Arkansas, near the center of the supposed “Bible Belt,” to get signatures on a petition that was designed to keep foster kids out of homes with homosexual adults?

Could it be that most of the effort to get those signatures were made at the 230 churches in the county and many declined to help?

Yes, that is the reason that this story doesn’t surprise me.

The famed governor of “progressive” California has already signed into law something that has lessened the penalty for pot possession.  He thinks it will save the state money.

What message does all of this send our young people?  I guess that’s a question no one asks anymore.

Lord, have mercy.

CR

Here’s the story:

Russ Jones – OneNewsNow

A measure to legalize marijuana will be on California’s November ballot, but one organization fighting to defeat the bill says many pastors are silent on the issue, which is leaving the pro-legalization activists virtually unopposed.

Proposition 19 goes before California voters November 2. If passed, it will allow those who are 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use. It will also permit local governments to regulate and tax the commercial production of pot.

James Lambert, a former drug user who now supports the efforts of Marijuana Harms Families, explains that many pastors have been apathetic. “I’ve confronted pastors, and it’s very disheartening,” he shares. “I’ve gone to groups that represent a lot of different churches, and my meetings have been lukewarm at best.”

The rest of the story:

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=1197668

Leave a Comment » | Commentary, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION AT THE LUTHERAN GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE – MAKE SURE YOU PUT A SIGN ON THE DOOR SO THAT NO ONE INTERRUPTS THE SEXUAL ACTIVITY IN YOUR DORM

October 7, 2010

If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:3

“Welcome class of 2014!”

That’s how this video ends.

Unbelievable.

I attended a Lutheran college.  Thankfully,  the college I attended was  a different denomination of Lutheranity than the one featured here.

I think, besides unborn children in the womb, college students are the most vulnerable humans in American society today.  My reasons are too many to list.

My first experience in college dorm life happened as one of the older students in an all-male dorm.  I had transferred in after graduating from a two-year college.  It was a Christian college.  Honestly, at times I thought someone had opened the door of the barn and let the wild horses loose.

Here is a blog post from a student attending a college with Christian terms attached to it.  The video at the end is so sad.  However, it helps to answer some of the questions as to why we are seeing so many problems among young adults today.

The college is named after a king of Sweden in the early 17th century. Some have called him “the father of modern warfare.”  How ironic.

The link includes the following information and the video.  Sit down while watching.

CR

By Phil Cleary, on Sep 15, 2010

Phil Cleary is a member of Gusties for Restoring America at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Before classes even start at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN, freshmen students are exposed to a series of orientation and thought reform activities to help them become more acquainted with the “college life.”

While most all colleges have activities and events designed to help students get to know each other and the school they will be studying at for the next four years, what many students, parents, and alumni probably don’t know is the type of activities to which students are actually exposed.

If they did, they might be surprised.

As a freshman student at Gustavus Adolphus College, I recalled numerous students, including me, who were petrified by the extent to which freshmen orientation was actually more like a series of thought reform experiences in which the boundaries of acceptable discourse on campus were shifted in favor of left-wing ideas, values, and culture.

That is why I’ve gone through the trouble of producing the video below.

Featured today are a few clips from the “Inside Scoop,” an hour-long event during orientation that makes it on the “mandatory” schedule for incoming Gustavus students.

It contains a series of clips featuring sexually suggestive theatrics explaining to incoming students such things as: where to get free condoms on campus; how to signal to your roommate that you are busy having sex (so he waits until later to come in); and how to tell your roommate you’re gay (as well as the appropriate response you are to take when receiving such information).

Caution: Video contains scenes and language not suitable for all audiences.

Freshman Orientation at the Lutheran Gustavus Adolphus College (ELCA)

Part 2

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors in those first few days or even hours after you drop your son or daughter off for their first year of College?

At many college’s and universities, the thought reform and attitude adjusting starts early — before ever entering the classroom.  These activities are something that can easily be caught on tape and shared with the public.

Below is the “inside look” at how incoming students of Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN are introduced to college life.

This second thought-reform seminar (different from the first, which I shared with you earlier this week) introduces students to all the basic canons of western thought that are crucial to a liberal arts education:

  • Understanding “LGPBBTTQ&A”
  • How to discern the difference between your “sex” and your “gender”
  • A call to censor the content of speech after screaming cuss words at students in the dark

Helpful to keep in mind while watching is that this college presents its mission as tied to the fact that it is a college of the church: It is a “private residential liberal arts college firmly rooted in its Swedish and Lutheran heritage.”

Caution: Video contains explicit content not suitable for all audiences.

Freshman Orientation at Gustavus Infiltrated by Student with Video Camera.

4 Comments | Commentary | Permalink
Posted by Chris

REFLECTIONS ON PRO-LIFE WEEKEND 2010

October 3, 2010

It’s been hot and dry in Hot Springs for most of the Summer.  The weather has finally turned cooler.  There are so many things to do.  Many outings have had to wait because of the weather.  Finally, we had a great weekend to be outside.  And many chose to spend it making a statement about the American tragedy that has continued legally since 1973.

A crowd of close to 100 arrived an hour after noon yesterday, to help create a “Crosses for Life” memorial.  My second year at the event, I soon found myself amongst those of all ages.  As the crosses were pounded into the hard ground, others were being prepared and brought to the “front lines.”

The crosses are well designed.  They only need to be removed from a specially designed bag, the attached crosspiece swung open. Finally, the screw connecting the two pieces of the cross together must be checked and possibly tightened by screwdriver.

Because of the lack of rain the past few months, men with metal poles had to prepare the ground where some of the crosses were to be placed.

The day turned out to be 10 degrees warmer than the meteorologists expected.  Halfway through the work, it was suggested that a water break be taken.  The suggestion was ignored by those with the hammers, and the crosses continued to go up.

As the work progressed, the talk decreased.  The noise of the traffic on one of the most traveled streets in Hot Springs was soon the main sound, besides the knocking of wood by many different types of pounders.

In no time, the dry ground in front of the Nazarene Church was transformed into a memorial to the lives lost to abortion.  Pastor Ken Carney asked each of the participants to touch one of the crosses as he prayed.  My friend’s voice cracked with emotion as he prayed about a subject so close to our hearts.

The memorial will remain for two weeks when many of the crosses will be removed by some of the same folks who helped install them.  The “Crosses for Life” will then be taken to another church where they will create another memorial.

Photo by Barbara Anable

This afternoon, another group of those believing that life should be protected from the time of conception, congregated at another busy spot in the Spa City.  It was arguably the most beautiful day, weather-wise, that Hot Springs had seen in 4 months.

Participants in “Life Chain” chose from four signs.  They were provided by The Garland County Right to Life.

Everyone grabbed a sign and found a spot on either side of the busy street near the famous bath houses.  What a contrast to last year.  Traffic was very heavy as the beautiful day prompted many to take the drive or stroll through the historic part of town.

“Life Chain” is a time of prayer for those holding signs.  The noise of the traffic made this part of the event easier, as it would have been difficult to have any type of a discussion over the loud sounds of vehicles.

Few protested our “statement.”  One of those who did told me that I should be ashamed of myself.

I did feel badly about one thing…that I couldn’t do more to stop the killing.

May God have mercy on us.  And may God bless all who were involved in the pro-life events this weekend.

Chris Reimers

10 Comments | Abortion, Commentary, Hot Springs News, LIFE | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Chris

PRO-LIFE WEEKEND IN HOT SPRINGS

September 30, 2010
During last year’s “Crosses for Life,” Bethany Butler hands her brother Brock a cross for placement. Their father was preparing crosses and handing them to Bethany. Is that Ben Hooten in the background?

Two events will be held in the Spa city this weekend by those who believe that life is sacred from the time of conception.

On Saturday, October 2nd, the “Crosses for Life” will be installed on the lawn at the First Church of the Nazarene at 3904 Central Avenue.   The “Crosses for Life” are a silent witness to the children who die by abortion every day in our country.

The work will begin at 1:00 p.m.  If you would like to help, bring a large hammer or small sledge hammer, work gloves, water, and sun protection.

Rain didn’t stop the 2009 Life Chain.

On Sunday, October 3rd, a “Life Chain” will be formed at the Hill Wheatly Plaza at Central and Reserve streets.

Life Chain is a prayerful and peaceful public witness of pro-life people, standing for one hour, praying for our nation and an end to abortion. It is a visual statement of solidarity by those from all walks of life in our community.

The event will begin at 1:30 and will end at 2:30.

For those who would like to be a part of the event, you will stand with thousands of pro-lifers throughout the USA and Canada! You will be a light in a darkened world as you help put an end to abortion through prayer!

Bring your whole family!

Water, lawn chairs, umbrellas and strollers are welcome!

RAIN or SHINE

Signs will be provided in both English and Spanish. Identical signs are used in all Life Chains across the continent.

Be courteous; do not block access to parking or to business entrances.

Do not stand on National Park Property.

See http://www.LifeChain.net for more than 1740 locations in 1470 cities and towns across the United States and Canada

For more information on either event, call Kelly at 501-463-1796 or email GarlandCountyRightToLife@gmail.com.

Zanlynn and Zander survey their fine work at the 2009 “Crosses for Life.”

Manny, creator of the blog “Kairos Now”, saw this article and added two posts dealing with the abortion issue.  You may want to check them out.

http://kairosinfinite.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/in-remembrance

4 Comments | Abortion, Commentary, News | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Chris

A REAL STAR

September 30, 2010

……A big “thank you” to Barbara Anable for this post.

In early 1940, Kate Smith, a fiercely patriotic American, and the biggest star on radio, was deeply worried about her country. She asked Irving Berlin if he could give her a song that would reignite the spirit of American patriotism and faith. He said he had a song that he had written in 1917, but never used it.

He said she could have it.

She sat at the piano & played it and realized how good it was.

She called Mr. Berlin and told him that she couldn’t take this from him for nothing. So, they agreed that any money that would be made off the song would be donated to the Boy Scouts of America.

Thanks to Kate Smith and Irving Berlin, the Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties.

This clip is from the movie “You’re in the Army Now”.

If you watch to the end, you will see a familiar face.

Frank Sinatra said that when Kate Smith, whom he considered the greatest singer of his age, first sang this song on the radio, a million guys got ‘dust’ in their eyes and had to wipe the tears the ‘dust’ cost.

If you can watch and listen without ‘dust’ getting in your eyes, you have no soul. Sit back and enjoy a Real Star. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnQDW-NMaRs

Leave a Comment » | Commentary | Permalink
Posted by Chris

THE LAW IN LAYMAN’S TERMS

September 30, 2010

Although removed from many places in America, God’s law cannot be removed from the Bible nor from the hearts of men.  Gerald Wheeler sent in this version of the simple rules provided by God  to help men live in peace.

In is impossible to understand the grace of God without understanding the Law.  How can we see that we are sinners in need unless we know the Law?

Here’s Gerald’s email:

In middle Tennessee they translated the ‘King James’ into ‘Jackson County’ language….no joke (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro , TN ).

(1) Just one God

(2) Put nothin’ before God

(3) Watch yer mouth

(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin’

(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa

(6) No killin’

(7) No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal.

(8) Don’t take what ain’t yers

(9) No tellin’ tales or gossipin’

(10) Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff

That’s it, plain an’ simple. Y’all have a nice day now ya hear!

And bless your little peapickin’ heart….

3 Comments | Commentary | Permalink
Posted by Chris

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »