Members of CRU agree with Tyler

Josh Holowell & Jessica Ziething

Fri Nov 6 2009 15:57

We just wanted to formally apologize to anyone who felt offended or hurt by I Agree with Tyler. Our intention was not to corner anyone or shove Jesus down anyone's throat, but simply to look at something we do all the time in culture - agreeing. We wanted to look at that, comment on it and say that we agree with something bigger and better: with Jesus. We wanted to agree with Jesus and talk to others about that. We are not interested in people joining Cru, or in numbers or in controversy, but simply in Jesus and talking with people about him. So again we want to apologize if anyone misunderstood our intentions. And we understand how that could happen.I (Jessica) want to start off by telling you all a little bit about me – I was not brought up in a Christian home, or any sort of religious home for that matter. I came to Ball State in 2004 – and my sophomore year was when I was introduced to who Jesus is. (which kind of hits on the conversations about whether or not everyone knows who Jesus is…I’d heard the name at the time…but really didn’t know all the information about Him. At least not enough to make an informed decision). So, here I am – a Christian for only the past 4ish years. I am a Christian who took a while to warm up to the idea of sharing my beliefs with others – which I’ll talk a little bit about later. And so I come into this discussion remembering what it was like to not believe, and remembering what it was like to wrestle with whether or not it was right to share my beliefs with others.So, I wanted to speak into the conversations that have been about how everyone should keep their beliefs to themselves and not force them upon anyone else. I agree and disagree with this…I want to start by saying I have taken some time before typing this to remove myself from Christianity and place myself back into where I was 4 years ago as a nonbeliever in Jesus. I can see how all of this is offensive. Who wants to be told by someone that they are wrong because they don’t believe in something that the other person believes is objective truth? No one. I think I could very easily get offended by that if I felt like it was getting forced upon me! So, I want to officially apologize to anyone who has felt like a Christian has FORCED Christianity upon them. I STRONGLY disagree with forcing Jesus upon anyone – and that was not what this I Agree With Tyler campaign was about. Now, remove yourself from your perspective and jump into my shoes. I believe in God, and I do believe that people who do not believe in Jesus will not end up with God for eternity. Many people believe this and keep it to themselves. I could very easily keep this belief to myself, and honestly, that IS my natural instinct. I am very non-confrontational and I know that this has the potential to be offensive. So why would I tell people about what I believe? Here is why – because if this is what I TRULY believe - if I TRULY believe that God exists and that through Jesus everyone can know God...for real...in a personal way and actually spend eternity with Him in Heaven – I would have to hate people not to tell them. This news has changed my life – shoot, it has given me life! I would have to hate everyone I meet a lot to keep that information to myself. And even thinking about it now, there ARE a ton of people who I have never told because I’m scared and I don’t want to make it awkward or offend them. I understand that it might be hard to put yourself in those shoes – but I think that the video that was posted on YouTube says it really well (“A Gift of a Bible”) and has played a bit part in how I think about all of this (which you’ll see, I have used some of his wording already). A famous atheist (Penn from Penn and Teller) shares why he respects Christians who share their faith and does not respect the ones who don’t: “If you believe that there is a Heaven and Hell and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life…and you think that it is not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…how much do you have to hate somebody to not tell them? If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe it, and that truck was bearing down on you, there’s a certain point where I tackle you – and this (sharing our belief about eternity) is more important than that.”The I Agree With Tyler campaign was not meant to FORCE Jesus on anyone – it was meant to make him available. People could ignore the orange flyers, ignore the people in the orange shirts, and ignore the event on Wednesday night. Everyone had a decision to interact or to not interact. Our purpose was to give people the opportunity to hear about something that we believe is life-giving. Whether people listen or believe is up to them. But if we believe that Jesus is who he says he is, we would be hating this campus to not give every person on it the opportunity to hear about Jesus. And we do it knowing fully that...

Andrea

Wed Oct 28 2009 01:19

Go to itunes. Type in Ball State Cru. Download the podcast and listen to Tyler's testimony. Everyone has a right to disagree with Tyler and what he believes about the gospel, but I would hope that those who claim to disagree would listen first. Listen before you judge. Please.

Your name

Tue Oct 27 2009 00:20

I feel like Tyler is smothering me to either believe in Jesus or be hated by CRU.

Cody

Sun Oct 25 2009 19:25

I say that these t-shirts and posters make Tyler out to be a prophet and a chosen one. This is coming from a former Christian. I do not think this is appropriate for your beliefs at all. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Also I think this organization's actions are cult-like. It pushes people away in a "I'm right and your wrong kind of fashion." These ideas of right to wrong need to come to an end. How can Christians strive for peace when they make themselves so exclusive and almighty. Rethink your ways Crusaders.

Esdea

Sat Oct 24 2009 14:19

Those not willing to have their beliefs challenged have no business holding beliefs.

Sam

Sat Oct 24 2009 14:14

C'mon people. The only thing they've done is put up posters, wear t-shirts, and invite you to hear what their thoughts on religion are. I have no idea how they could be more inoffensive. If you're going to get all offended every time you run across someone with different ideas then you, you're going to have a very angry life.

As a side note, I'm not a Christian.

Your name

Fri Oct 23 2009 23:17

It seems to me that all the people attacking this very harmless campaign are close-minded and bigoted. If you were at the event, you would have realized the motivation behind the evangelism. Evangelism is a big part of Christianity. To say that Christians should not evangelize is quite intolerant.

Sean

Thu Oct 22 2009 19:57

I am a representative of the Campus Jihad for the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Our message of delicious, carb-rich salvation is one of love and acceptance which we wish the whole world can share. The Flying Spaghetti Monster doesn't judge or condemn, for he is a pile of spaghetti. Come, be touched by his noodly appendage.

Your name

Thu Oct 22 2009 16:17

Why is this Tyler so special? Why aren't they wearing shirts that say "I agree with Jesus"? That would make more sense. The whole campaign is stupid, and annoying.

Amanda

Thu Oct 22 2009 14:59

My...my...my...! There are some very negative comments and views about CRU. I have a few myself, most of which have been said by other people on this discussion board. Maybe the Ball State DN could do an article on those who find CRU to be misleading and judgmental? Seems that the majority find CRU to be this way. This article was poorly written and was very one sided!

Brittney

Thu Oct 22 2009 14:45

I had a Cru member ask me, "If you were to die right now, where would you go?". I simply replied, "Deleware County Morgue"! I am a christian but if you ask a smart ass question I will give a smart ass answer!

Alum

Thu Oct 22 2009 13:31

Really, DN? This reads like a press release for the controversial organization. A little balance could help, perhaps? We've all taken the 100-level J classes, right?

They did this exact scheme at BSU and Purdue a few years back, too. Expect more of the same- Cru thrives on confrontation because it breeds solidarity. Take it from someone who was once deeply involved- read, study, live, experiment, experience your way to your own unique spirituality. Crusade's fundamentalist brand of Christianity has no room for dissent and leaves most numb and spiritually drained in the end.

James

Thu Oct 22 2009 12:21

No, I do not agree with Tyler or his groups fundemental ideals. I believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, not the way man has constructed a way to follow him. I have heard from many of my GLBTQ friends that CRU often decides (both overtly and covertly) who is worthy of being a member of CRU. This is what turns me off from these groups.

Blake

Thu Oct 22 2009 11:53

Cru does things for the benefit of their organization...they are all about quantity in their organization because they think more is better. They stand all over the place at the beginning of the year getting contact information and giving away sometimes rather expensive prizes. Handing out game systems in exchange for joining Cru is awful. Not to mention, they exclude people. They are not welcoming to all and some members in their organization are anything but Christian-like in the ways they interact with people. If you claim to be a Christian then you should know that we as people do not make the call of who will go to hell or who will go to heaven. God makes that judgment. So when you say "people like that will go to hell" that will come back very hard when you make your way to purgatory to have your soul purified for the awful judgments you made towards people. When I used to eat on campus, members from Cru would be walking around "evangelizing" in the dining halls. A person sat down beside me and asked if I was a Christian. Even after saying, "yes, i am a very devout Christian with an active prayer life" they continued to try and force their inaccurate message into my head. Just because I don't walk around with a Cru t-shirt handing out melted suckers and candy does not make me a non-believer (please please please...hand out some tropical flavor skittles!). If I tell you that I have a relationship with Christ, but am not a member of your club...don't assume that I don't follow God, don't assume that I don't read the Bible, don't assume that I'm lost and please just let me eat in peace because telemarketers have more respect sometimes!

Megan

Thu Oct 22 2009 10:32

Regardless of your beliefs, in general I think CRU goes about evangelism the wrong way. Every year CRU solicits at the Scramble Light during Welcome Week. When I was a freshman I distinctly remember CRU members trying to get you to give them your information in exchange for a chance to win an XBOX. I'm not trying to slam on CRU because I'm sure that although I don't agree with their tactics, they do bring people to the Lord. And that is in the end what it's all about. Today too many people are feeling judged by Christians. Appealing to non-Christians in a manner where they don't feel forced or obligated is going to be a challenge. My only advice would be to reconsider solicitation because it did turn me away from ever attending CRU.

Xenia T. Rose

Thu Oct 22 2009 08:04

Ah! The "Jesus Bandwagon" approach! Very classy way to get young people into fundamentalist Christian churches! I prefer the Kool-Aid method, myself.

Christy

Thu Oct 22 2009 04:56

If we as Christians truly believe that there is a heaven and a hell, and that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life in heaven, it would be hateful to remain silent. Our going out and sharing his Gospel with this campus is the most loving thing we can do... what kind of person who believes that those around them are running towards the edge of a cliff do nothing to stop them? The bright orange shirts, the Facebook statuses and Twitter account, and the conversations throughout the week leading up to the event have been our way of desperately trying to point people to the life-saving, essential truth of Jesus Christ and his work for us on the cross. If just one person came to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with him this week, all of the effort was well worth it. Sharing our belief in the Gospel is not about "winning" a competition with other religions, or about how many people we can get to come to CRU, or about anything but serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and loving our neighbors as ourselves--by sharing life-giving truth with them.

Thanks to those of you who came to the event tonight! We appreciate your willingness to hear what we think and believe.

The bible

Thu Oct 22 2009 04:15

Matthew: Chapter 7: Verses 15-16

Mr. Obvious

Thu Oct 22 2009 00:42

Does Tyler enjoy Pepperoni Pizza? because I would agree with him on that! But seriously... I'm not Tyler, but the way I see it is this- Christ wants us to respect and love one- another (despite our backgrounds). He wants us to love him. A personal relationship with god is a fantastic relationship to have (no matter what denomination.) If Tyler believes that faith is helping him to be a better person- then I 100% agree with him on that. Tyler may make mistakes as we all do, but that is between him and God, and who am I to judge. And of course we should all be doing our part to help solve the problems of the world, and what way to better organize a group of people with a cause then religion. But to sit here and waste time debating on who is right or wrong is a waste of valuable time... I know in my heart that Jesus loves me, and that is all I need for piece of mind.

Blake

Wed Oct 21 2009 23:57

Cru is a predominately Protestant organization and misinterprets the Gospels which are in the New Testament which was written by the Catholic Church...the only true authority and chief interpreter of the text. They also are exclusive of other denominations and treat others who are not among them poorly. I may agree with Tyler that Jesus did indeed die for the sins of the whole world...but I can almost guarantee that we won't agree on the truly infallible teachings of the original Church given to us by Jesus Christ Himself. I would not call Protestant teachings completely invalid...but they certainly have little authority and only share partial truths. Jesus died for our sins and according to the Gospels gives us His Body and Blood in Holy Communion! Tyler...do you agree with that? It is impossible to have fullness of faith until you are in full communion with the Catholic Church...the original Church started by Jesus and his Apostles about 2000 years ago.

peace to you and have a great fall break