Religious Beliefs & Church Practices

"Any comments, ideas, or questions regarding this specific PoLaRiS survey topic?"
(Please refer to The Houghton Star issue published on the week of March 12, 2007 for more information.)


All 25 responses provided by students of Houghton College:


I am not and never have been a Baptist, but I find it annoying that Houghton's Dean of the Chapel almost always uses Baptists as the brunt of denominational jokes. Not all the students at Houghton are Wesleyans, as most of us are well aware.

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Though I may not read my bible or go to chruch as often as some people think I should, it does not mean that I don't have strong feelings for God. I believe in Him whole hearted, and believe that it's ok that I don't go to church as often as I should because we do have a relationship and I praise him in all that I do.

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As far as "worship wars" go, I really like contemporary worship, but I also like when hyms are sung without like an organ...Like when they're sung to piano or guitar.

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As a Process Theologian, I disagree.

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The question of homosexual ordiantion should have qualified it with PRACTICING homosexuals. Homosexuals who view acting on their impulses as sinful and are therefore celibate or heterosexually married ought to be ordained. I go beyond "Traditional" in the "worship wars." The earliest Christians worshipped liturgically (ie in the style of Orthodox or conservative Episcopalians/Anglicans) and I wish to worship in that regard--not just 1950s hymn-singing Protestant style.

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Glad we covered those ever-so-important topics of alcohol, homosexuals and the worship wars. Too bad we didn't have time for corporate outreach and statements regarding anything Jesus actually talked about. Maybe we could discuss it over a drink?

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You are making things seem far more simple than they actually are. You are giving the impression that you don't actually think these issues are actually important, complex, or worthy of serious discussion. Surveys like this that only further convince me that the contemporary American evangelical tradition students seem to so embrace here at Houghton is an insult to orthodox Christian thought and traditions, and the sooner this shallow subculture finally dies, the better.

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My "religious" beliefs are fundamentally the same but there is a much deeper understanding of why and how and a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. also free will and predestination: you can't compare the two and say you believe in both. of course you believe in both but they apply in completely different ways in your life. It's like comparing a cat and a dog. of course we have free will to choose in our life and to choose to follow Christ, but no matter what we choose, even if we don't choose Christ, God still has a hand in our life and no matter how screwy it gets He will still works some things out for Good

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For favored musical worship, I lean more towards traditional hymns, but with a contemporary music style.

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Rather than attempting to cater to the varying worship preferences on campus we need to emphasis the selflisness of worship. Efforts must be put towards shaping a biblical view of worship, and reminding students that, fundementally, worship is not for us but for God. Not making this shift of focus will perpetuate conflict and dilute worship here at Houghton. The problem is not the worship, it is the worshipers.

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I don't think that the freewill/predestination question is really an issue anymore. It seems to only be perpetuated by people not letting go of what would be the big questions of the past, and forgetting to live in the present context.

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I think the fact that so many restrictions are put on the Houghton student body makes it seem like the board of directors doesn't trust us. Personally, I think the people who want to drink irresponsibly, will drink no matter what the restrictions. Also, some of the best ministers I've ever heard were women.

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There should be a "don't know, don't care" option for the question about Worship Wars!!

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Yeah, I've tried various times throughout my college career to get back into reading my Bible, but I can't seem to keep it up. "That's all I have to say about that." PMZ

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Stefan Shiavone who works in the Campus Center Store should get a raise. He warms my soul.

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Some of these questions seemed loaded, or at the very least somewhat biased (which seems to be a continuing trend in these surveys...).

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God didn't make us as robots. He gave us the free will to choose life with him or death without him.

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I don't believe there's anything that Christians shouldn't do. What matters most to God is the heart and when that's tuned to the Holy Spirit we will be pleasing Him. Alcohol, dancing, are not off limits for Christians: abusing these to excess clearly is. My religious beliefs have changed over the years, especially since I've come to college. I no longer have a problem with women in the ministry, nor do I believe that homosexuals cannot be Christians.

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Why no questions about what faith students have? While a small minority, there are non-Christians on campus, it may be interesting to find out more about that. Even though this is a Christian college, you do live in a multi-cultural and religiously diverse country and world.

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I've grown up loving many different kinds of music, including classical and more contemporary styles like rock and jazz, etc. I've also attended several different churches where worship styles differed. I don't like the term or idea of "Worship Wars." We worship God with everything we are. If hymns on the organ draw you closer to God, then that is how you should worship. If loud percussion takes you closer to Him, then worship in that way. But try to appreciate another believer's worship. Remember Whom you are worshipping.
Personally, I love most traditional hymns and most contemporary songs.

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While I strongly dislike when we sing hymns in Chapel that very few people can enjoy or truly worship with becasue no one can figure out what the correct tune is, I must say that Houghton has greatly contributed to my appriciation of Hymns. I value the effort that is made to balance contemporary worship with good hymns.

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There are many different religious views represented by the students at Houghton College, but they all have one thing in common - Christ (actually, that's not true, there are many students here that do not believe that Jesus was/is the Christ, but Houghton ignores them anyway and so will I in this response).Because we are all unified in Christ Jesus it seems as if we should be able to at least come to some conclusion, some compromise, as to worshipping God. However, how we will worship God is a very big deal and has caused many problems.Some students prefer a more traditional (and more theologically sound) way of worshipping God. The majority of the student body, however, has been infected more by the protestant "bug". This means that these students have thrown off tradition and even view it negatively. Instead of following tradition (which is one of the four principles of the Wesleyan quadrilateral), the instead follow what is "right" for themselves, as individuals. In a way, this sounds like a nice idea, however, what they are as an individual is a victim of their circumstances. Time and culture (yes, even MTV (or the Christian equivalent) impacts these "modern" students more than a solid theological foundation.Now, I am not trying to say that there is nothing beneficial about Michael W. Smith, or that non-traditional students are less secure in their faith then others, what I am trying to say is that we must not simple follow the herd and pop culture. "Contemporary" can be nice and appropriate, but let's make sure to not water down Christianity. We need more than "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Yar, Yar, Yar" (which is sadly what many "worship" songs are). Instead we need to utilize the entire Wesleyan Quadrilateral - scripture, tradition, reason and experience - while working to be an impact in culture, not a victim of it.

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Good Survey. Excellent questions. looking foward to the results.

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This one has been a lot more insightful than others in the past. I think there should have been one more question added however; it was asked whether or not we believe *practicing* homosexuals should be allowed to be ordained or not, but it said nothing about non-practicing homosexuals. There are many out there, just as there are many hetrosexuals who do not commit fornication. I believe that *practicing* homosexuals should only *not* be allowed to be ordained for the same reason that a hetrosexual minister who practices fornication should not be allowed to be ordained, until they correct their ways. Nonetheless, a good survey.

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With religious beliefs, "Don't Know" and "Don't Care" probably shouldn't be lumped together. It makes those whoe are legitimately questioning seems as if they haven't thought anything through and are simply lacking an opinon, as opposed to healthily trying to work out thteir own faith.

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Feel free to post any comments you might have!

Last updated: 3/14/2007