Lately, whenever I walk through Academic Plaza, I have to take the long way around to avoid whichever religious zealot is raving in front of Sully. When I'm late and forced to go straight through, I ignore them (unless they call me out for walking past with my head down, when a true emissary of God stands before me; then I heckle). Last week, though, I asked a Catholic a question. Because they weren't yelling at me - and I wondered why.
It's a sad day on campus when being respectful causes someone to stand out, but here we are. Catholic students, representing St. Mary's Catholic Center, stand patiently in Academic Plaza alongside whatever Christian sideshow has come to town and wait for students to initiate conversations with them. Their choice neon yellow T-shirts, which read "Ask a Catholic a Question," are a little ostentatious, but when standing next to a guy with a sign that says "You're going to Hell," they could dress in yellow chicken suits and seem tame.
The annual explosion of public preaching on campus may be called a revival by some, but others, myself included, prefer to term it a plague. Besides being annoying and occasionally offensive, these people fail at the No. 1 rule of communication: know your audience. Modern college students aren't swayed by public spectacles and forceful speeches. Students are looking for well-reasoned explanations and calm, respectful discussions. The touring preachers, who shout unilateral statements and sound like broken records when engaged in conversation, project ignorance and incur defensiveness rather than openness in listeners.
Ask a Catholic a Question began in the spring of 2007 to spread awareness of Catholic beliefs to students, from students. They answer questions from a steady stream of people most days when they appear in Academic Plaza. On days when a preacher is on campus stirring up polarizing views, the dichotomy between the two becomes immediately apparent.
"It is probably a better way to spend our time talking to people who actually want to talk to us," said Jamie Wheeler, a junior chemistry major and member of the group. "Conversations also tend to include reason-giving [...] not just sharing what our beliefs are, but also why we think they're true."
The rational approach they use appeals to students, and is made even more desirable when compared to combative evangelists who pronounce doom to one and all. Even so, the methods of the touring crusaders are spreading, which is a shame. Students who have views to share should consider these methods and make the most of the time, place and people they find themselves with, rather than following the rhetoric of past generations. Someone who'd rather shout at the wind than engage in genuine discussion persuades no one.
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