There are lots of things I like about Uni, and to be able to attend and gain accreditations in fields of my interest and skill set has been an opportunity I don’t take for granted. We live in a country where we can access education quite easily and if we put in the hard work, we are rewarded for our efforts.
However, when it comes to being a Christian in a secular university, I cannot say it has always been an easy ride. Perhaps it is more prominent in subjects to do with the arts, which has opened up a big void where the leftist tutors or ‘progressives’ feel it is their duty to fill it.
It’s ironic because anyone who goes along with the ‘progressive’ or left-winged ideologies are basically agreeing that anyone against them, or their beliefs, are regressive. I cannot speak for other areas, but from my experience and those of others I have spoken with, there is a clear agenda being communicated at universities across Australia, and it’s anything but conservative!
Battles in class
To sit silently in classes while everything I hold dear is being belittled and attacked, is disconcerting to say the least, and an affront on my personal beliefs and principals. While everything good and pure and holy is mocked and made fun of, alternate views are presented as the new normal.
While I politely listen as their alternate views are taught (as painful as it may be), I have to endure the unashamed painful mockery of my own beliefs and views. For example, to have a feminist approach aggressively addressed in a class where the denigration of men seems to be an all-in affair, this offends me to the core as I have a father, grandfathers, and brothers whom I adore. To have my God and religion mocked while spouting about discrimination against other minority groups—how do they not see they are doing exactly what they are speaking against?
Christians today risk lowered marks if we say anything, and if we are courageous to say anything, there seems to be no space to. Is persecution alive and well today? It’s closer than you may think.
Being a light in the darkness
However, God did not send us to Earth to be comfortable with our lives. He sent us here to be a light for His glory and to spread the word, make disciples of all nations, to be a voice for the voiceless, and in everything, to do all things for Him.
Knowing who we are in Christ, being a strong Christian voice, standing strong no matter the odds piling up against us, and being defiant in our beliefs and faith in God within university, is what makes us warrior children of God in the space we are in. Even in the deepest parts of the battle, even when we are taking the harshest blows, we have confidence knowing that the battle is already won, and that God is who he says he is, whether they acknowledge it or not.
You might just be surprised
Though we may feel alone in the battle, or in the class, we are not. God never sends us out onto the battlefield alone. Especially unequipped. The Bible says in 2 Samuel chapter 22 verse 40, ‘You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.’
We cannot be people who sit as bystanders and watch the world turn into what we don’t agree with. We need to be true to who we are in Christ, never wavering to go along with the crowd. No, we must stand firm in our faith and speak up when we feel that racing of the heart when the Holy Spirit seems to be saying to us: “speak now, I will give you the words”.
Whether we stand alone or stand in a crowd, either way we must stand. When we are courageous enough to stand, we give courage to someone else and all of a sudden, we realise we’re not alone anymore.
Speak now
We need to take every opportunity to speak and be prepared with an answer. 1 Peter chapter 3 verses 14-16 says:
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
This is certainly something to take with us into our classes. We are not to be afraid, we are also not to be silent, and we are not to compromise our way of living to please others. Silence is never an option. Nail your flag to the mast and know what you believe, and stand up for it. God is always with us and he will deliver us.
2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse 17 says ‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’
If you are being attacked by your tutors and teachers for your beliefs, never allow yourself to be silenced. God didn’t create your voices for that. He created them for much more.
Esther chapter 4 verse 14 – ‘For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’
Cartia Moore is a connoisseur of fine chocolate and a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Screen & Media Studies, and minoring in Drama and Creative Writing. Her focus is film, television and swordfighting sequences.
Cartia Moore is a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She has recently graduated from her Bachelor of Arts degree and has completed an Honours in Screen & Media Studies. She is now going on to do a Master of Teaching (Secondary), focusing in the teaching areas of English and Film studies. She is passionate and driven to inspire and encourage others to seek and find their worth and value in Him.
Cartia Moore’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cartia-moore.html