I had a different post planned for today, but I felt compelled to write about something that is, as the television shows say, "ripped from the headlines."
A professor at a Florida university instructed his students to write the name "Jesus" on a piece of paper, then throw that paper to the ground and stomp on it. (How dare he?)
One student, Ryan Rotela, a Mormon, refused. Initially, his refusal earned him reprobation (from the university) rather than approbation. Only when the media got involved was his integrity brought to light. What a courageous young man Ryan must be. And how proud his parents must be that he stood for what he believed, that he stood for Jesus.
In a world that seems to be determined to take God from our schools, our civic organizations, our celebrations, even our currency, it is refreshing and empowering to witness someone who refused to defame the Lord.
So, for today, I am grateful for a courageous and faithful student.
How many incidents have gone by without our being aware of them? How many times was there no one to take a stand? What would have happened if the professor asked them to do the same thing, only writing Muhammed on the paper? What if he had asked them to write Allah? What about Columbus? Obama? Why is it that all of these different names seem to provoke different hypothetical scenarios? Why do we not show respect even when we disagree, I'm afraid we are not really civilized.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't hear about this story. Good for Ryan.
ReplyDelete