Everywhere we look in America today we find divisions among the people. While we've always had disagreements about policies and values, these disagreements have never resulted in the violence and behavior we see today at least since the Civil War. One can legitimately ask if we are heading towards another Civil War in this nation. People point to various possible sources of this unrest, and perhaps all of them are at least partially responsible. One source that cannot be overlooked is the higher educational system we find in our nation.
Every fall parents drop their children off at universities and colleges across the country. After tearful farewells the parents drive away leaving their young people to continue their education. For 18 years these parents have taught their children the values and beliefs they hold, and in many cases, the young people adopted these values and beliefs as their own. This is especially true for young people raised in Christian homes. On most campuses they are going to have those values and beliefs challenged, and often, ridiculed by professors and fellow students.
An increasing number of university professors see their role as more than passing along knowledge. They see their new role as agents of cultural change. In many classes these young people will find their former beliefs and values refuted by professors committed to breaking the student's commitments to the teachings of their parents and church.
I was 40 years old and a pastor of a church when I began my college studies. Virtually every class on the liberal college I attended promoted evolution and the beginning of the universe apart from a Creator. A class I took on the Bible and Ethics taught ethics from a very non-Biblical perspective. The professor and I took very different positions on every issue that was addressed in the class. Unfortunately, the younger members of the class seemed to accept whatever the professors said and seldom questioned anything. This was in the early-1990s. If anything, universities have taken an even stronger stand against Christian teaching.
A number of universities have banned Christian groups from operating on their campuses. Christian and conservative speakers are not welcome on many campuses, some sometimes uninvited to speak at various events they had previously been asked to address.
A significant function of a university education is to be exposed to various perspectives on issues and values. This is how young people come to hold their beliefs and values as truly their own. However, the playing field must be level. Certain perspectives cannot be ignored while others are emphasized. Yet, this is what is happening on too many secular campuses. Parents are spending tens of thousands of dollars to these institutions only to have their students come home radicalized and rejecting the values and beliefs of their parents.
There are many excellent Christian colleges and universities that our students can attend. They deserve our support. Our young people will receive an excellent education without having their values and beliefs ridiculed and rejected. They will be taught to think for themselves. The best Christian schools are not indoctrination centers but truly centers of higher education. As you consider where your young people will further their education I encourage you to consider the important of Christian higher education.
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