I have a question… or perhaps I should add a (s) to question because even though I only have one at this time I’m sure a few more may pop in at any random moment.
A friend of mine over skipped chapel last semester and had to pay close to 300 dollars in fines. In the midst of their complaining about the system, I chose to play the devil’s advocate and explain that there were ample ways of keeping track of your skips and in the end it was their own fault. Their emotional response was that why should they get punished for not slashing and dashing while hundreds of other students who don’t go to chapel even once a semester get off scot-free?
Why do the honest people always get the poop end of the stick?
I was never a big drinker in high school. The “not a drop” policy at NCU kind of bugs me. Why did the AG decide to take a stand on that? I believe there are plenty of other sins and vices that sneak right under the radar. I think there should be a no tolerance policy at NCU on pride, gluttony, or sloth. I definitely support a dry campus and the fact that underage drinking is bad and illegal. But (for instance) shouldn’t a 25 year old married commuter be able to have a couple glasses of wine at his cousin’s wedding reception? Drinking is one thing, getting drunk is another. It’s the same as surfing the internet and looking at pornography or gambling away your money online. With the internet you have the capability to misuse it and abuse it, and if not used correctly it can easily become a tool for sinning. Why haven’t we outlawed the internet at NCU? It’s just as capable as destroying lives as alcohol.
Why did we choose alcohol as the poster-boy for sinning and view it as the first step down the road to Hell?
I’ll have more later. I’m late for an awesome class that I actually did my homework for.
-Schroeder “The Web Composer” Bernstein
Woodward
Bernstein
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Is masturbation a sin? Or is it the frequency of the act and thoughts of lust that could follow the potential sin? If all things in moderation..and what is sin to me, is not sin to another…
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 8:54 pm
is blogging a sin? if a blogger blogs and no one reads his blog… does he even have a blog?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 11:06 am
I think betrayal is a sin. So what about the NCU culture that encourages friends to rat on each other? That was much more destructive to my faith as a college student than those few sips of beer were (I was of age). But apparently for the sips of beer I needed COUNSELING. Never found out who the rat was. But learned a lot about trusting people.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 3:37 am
Let me preface this by saying that I have never drank alcohol and probably never will because I’ve got alcoholism running on both sides of my family and I don’t want to even mess with it.
Having said that, I need to respond to the comment Bernie made about not outlawing the internet. The difference between the internet and alcohol is that the internet has plenty of positive uses and is a resource often utilized for educational purposes, whereas alcohol really doesn’t have a whole lot of positive qualities to it at all. (and if you think otherwise, feel free to tell me what they are).
That’s also the reason our beloved IT guys set up that blasted blocking page for anything even remotely questionable here at NCU. They can sensor a lot of the bad stuff we could use the internet for, but since they can’t really sensor specific uses for alcohol, they established the “not-a-drop” policy instead.
And to Jen - I’m sure it sucks being ratted on, (and pardon me as I don’t know all the circumstances and I am definitely NOT perfect myself) but shoot, you broke a rule that you agreed and signed a contract not to break and you got told on. If counseling is the worst that happened to you, then count yourself lucky - you could have just been kicked out.
And Forked-tongue guy - quit masturbating.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10:41 am
LoL @ Blogger
And “ratting out” is a misuse of the term if there was no malicious intent. I’m sure they thought they were helping (even if they weren’t) A Rat is someone who goes behind your back specifically to save their own ass and let you take the fall. At NCU people are often either under contract by Student Life to report stuff or doing so because they aren’t a fan of you breaking the rules.
Personally… I broke plenty of rules in my day, but I didn’t get mad at anyone else for telling on me if/when I got caught. When you walk the line and step over knowingly imo you (and I) deserve to get found out.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10:49 am
Ed… your on to something. What if they could censor abuse of alcohol. And whiskey doubled as a search engine. Oh the possibilities.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10:53 am
But that contract by Student Life itself promotes such a distrustful environment. It is no one’s business but mine whether I (as a 21-year-old then or as a 29-year-old now) choose to enjoy alcohol in moderation. I have never, in the years since then, encountered a situation where it was considered ok to behave in that way towards one’s peers. Why would anyone spend so much time deciding whether they were or weren’t a “fan of me breaking the rules”, instead of examining their own behavior? This experience disillusioned me to Christians in general and the A/G in particular… I am only now realizing that this was not the attitude that Jesus taught.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:05 am
Isn’t it Biblical to go talk to the person before going above their heads and simply “ratting” them out? I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:29 am
Ooh! a sin debate *squeal*
Side Note before i rant,
If you go to NCU and drink, and get caught, you suck. It’s not hard to drive to the Fridley Bdubs instead of the Roseville one. Also, there are some great townie bars in Coon Rapids that are way more fun than 7 corners. Hmm… is right, if you break a rule and someone catches you , that’s your fault for not being cunning enough. Also, the social majority at NCU who seem to think it is their job to police the collective student body and report everyone who looks at them funny oftentimes do it out of guilt for their own shortcomings. We often forget who Jesus rebuked; not the sinners but the self-righteous Pharisees and Sadducees. For those who have been victims of the NCU Pharisees, remember that they represent an archaic tradition of self-righteous christian doctrine instead of the true nature of Christ and should be separated accordingly. Bitterness is like getting herpes from a toilet seat (MLA Citation: Family Guy Season 5).
There is a question raised by this debate. Is breaking a rule at NCU a sin if the rule enforces DOCTRINE instead of BIBLICAL truth? In the alcohol debate one must consider Matt 15:11 (the whole chapter is phenomenal with dealing a death blow to doctrinal traditions) and 1 Tim 5:23. There are obvious benefits to your health, well-being, and state of mind with MODERATE alcohol consumption. One cannot deny the obvious benefit of the yellow fruit, but just like I can poison my body by eating 400 bananas in one sitting, so can I poison it by binge drinking.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:53 am
Tusk3r…. good insights.
Everything in moderation. I don’t drink to get drunk… only did that a few times in my life, and boy was that unpleasant afterwards! Plus it just makes you look stupid.
Also, I totally cop to the fact that I was stupid for getting caught. As I said, I never found out who the rat was, but for sure I should have been more discreet. One of those valuable lessons I’ve learned since then.
Incidentally, I’m now several years older… and can recognize that no matter what some guy’s DOCTRINE says, I know it’s perfectly OK to love my Jesus, worship Him on Sunday morning, and then have a mimosa with my brunch thereafter. Matter of fact, thank you Jesus for mimosas!
I simply wanted to make the point that it seemed the more destructive behavior was the culture of “accountability” (read: snitching) that was promoted at North Central. I am accountable to God, my family, my boss, and my creditors. NOT some whiny nineteen-year-old who thinks she’s better than me.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Just wanted to clarify that I never said alcohol consumption or anything else was something you should be called out on because it is wrong- biblically or otherwise. However, everyone at NCU came there KNOWING the rules. And there is something to be said about submitting to authority that you have placed in your own life.
It is an issue of authority, not of drinking.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 2:44 pm
It’s more than gratifying to know that, whatever mistakes we make as parents, God’s grace IS sufficient! Speaking entirely for myself, I’m extremely thankful that I was able to raise a caring, thoughtful, loving daughter…and not some whiney snitch that has “hall monitor” as a career goal.
I love you, Jen, and I’m very proud of you. We’ll do brunch mimosas next time I travel to the Cities. Daddy will buy.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Ed…
I agree. And while we’re at it, I don’t see what’s so positive about candy, sun shine, or pet hamsters.
Everyone should spend their lives sitting in boring, plain white rooms only doing things to which we can attach measurable, material good.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm
lol… gerbil’s are worse. I had like 7 in a row when i was a kid and we named them all Goldie. They all died pretty quick and we buried them in the woods behind our house a ways. After about two years of trying to find a sustainable gerbil we gave up. All we have now is a small map to our top secret gerbil graveyard.
that is all.
Rest in peace Goldie(s)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 7:33 pm
NaziMike -
You’re on to me, that’s for sure.
No! I’m not advocating that at all. Really, though - can ANYONE tell me what alcohol’s redeeming qualities are? (aside from the one that says a glass of red wine is good for your heart every now and then).
What good does beer or whiskey or rum or vodka (etc.) do anyone? I’m not saying drinking is a sin, I’m saying why drink at all?
Personally, I don’t care if you drink. Go ahead. I suppose it’s really the same thing as “why go on roller coasters at all?”
“Because I enjoy it!” “Because it’s a social activity!” “Because Jesus did it!”
And yes, I’m sure that if there had been roller coasters in the Bible, Jesus would have been on them.
In response to Hmmm…’s point, YES! That’s exactly what I was saying. The contract was signed and someone got caught. Again, not saying I’m perfect by ANY means…but a signed contract has to count for something these days, especially in God’s eyes. It always did before…
And whether it’s DOCTRINE or not, we all (NCU students) still agreed not to violate the rules, and if we did, then we agreed to endure the consequences.
And Bernstein, I think whiskey probably already is a search engine…cuz then you have to search for your keys…for your car…for your left arm…
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:27 pm
All my fish are named Goldie…. Goldie 1, Goldie 2, Goldie 3…. and so on to Goldie 14
Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Not a drinker . . . but I love good food!
Ed . . .alcohol is great for various sauces, marinades, flavors . . . generally a great resource for cooking! Also, Paul does tell Timothy to drink a little “something” to settle his stomach. You also have alluded to the anit-cancer benefits to red wine (Welch’s grape juice has the same benefits, but doesn’t give you the buzz) . . . I do hear that the “buzz” is a great way to relax after a stressful day! (As long as you don’t find your keys, your car, and drive away!) Not all the alcohol content “cooks off,” so even those who like a good bananas foster, are technically breaking NCU’s guidelines!
Maybe there is something deeper behind NCU’s prohibition (Oh wow! Takes us back 80 years or so!) . . . You have to have some community standards! Is it right to dreaw the line at 21 . . . are 18, 19, and 20 year olds capable of recognizing the rationale behind THAT line? Isn’t it far better (read that “easier”) to ask more mature adults (those over 21) to give up some of their “rights” and “freedoms” to set an example for those less mature (read that “millstone wearers”).
Friday, February 1, 2008 at 12:37 am
Okay. Why are honest people punished? sheesh… don’t get me started there. Like the open dorms rule…. I was watching a movie in my room in Carlson hall (very tiny room, mind you) and a GIRL *gasp* was there with me *double gasp*… we were sitting on the bed. The RA on duty comes up sees that both of us are on the bed at the same and says to put our feet on the floor…. here’s the misconception of logic: why would we have the door open if we were going to actually *do* something? Do they even check the closed rooms? No. Because obviously everyone who wants to do *something* during open dorms is going to at least be honest enough to leave door open. Right?
Friday, February 1, 2008 at 2:31 am
Urthoughtful - I like your insights. And yes, alcohol is a marvelous additive to many sauces. I personally enjoyed some char-grilled burgers this summer topped with some Jack Daniels BBQ sauce. They were magnificent!
However, of course, the alcoholic content itself is neutralized during the cooking process, so…well, you see where I could make a stupid argument, but I won’t.
What you said last is fantastic: the older students should set examples for the younger students in this regard (and hopefully many others too). God asks us to give up stuff all the time, right? And at least in my experience, He’s always come through with something even better after all was said and done. Good thoughts.
Jesse - feet on the floor! That’s a riot. And stupid too. I completely agree with you. If you really wanted to do something, just turn off the lights, shut and lock the door and go at it! Honestly, it’s the ones who have the doors wide open that the RA’s shouldn’t be concerned about. Both sets of your feet being on the floor will obviously ensure that no misconduct will occur.
It’s like the old joke goes: “Why does the A/G forbid pre-marital sex?”
…
“Because it might lead to dancing.”
Yeah…the enforcement of the rules is more important sometimes than what the rules are actually intended to prevent. That’s where I think legalism gets in here…
Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Tattle-tales SUCK!
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 7:23 pm
So does our mom….
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 9:55 pm
your*
damn it….
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 10:22 pm
haha…oh man…a good insult ruined by a typo.
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Duck-tales didn’t suck, though.
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 11:58 pm
“ducktails a-woo-oo”
Monday, February 4, 2008 at 12:01 am
tales*
Monday, February 4, 2008 at 9:42 am
To play Devil’s Advocate…. [don't judge me...]
I wonder what this world would be like if everyone conformed to an establishment they knew was false?
I’d be spending pounds sterling at Chipotle on sunday nights. (the whole American Revolution thing…)
I’d still be allowed to own people (not pwn, like in vidja games but own as in slavery)
Woman would not be allowed to vote.
need I go on…
There’s a fine line between Conformism and standing up for what you believe in. And i can hear the scoffers now: “Just leave North Central if you can’t fall into line you sinner!!!!1one.” Thankfully, God is bigger than the A/G, always will be regardless of what those who claim to know the “traditions of men” (Mark 7)
P.S. don’t break the rules simply for the sake of being a “rebel.” Lead by example absolutely, but don’t by any means simply bend over and take it.
Monday, February 4, 2008 at 11:55 am
God… is also bigger than the boogie man, he’s bigger than godzilla and the monsters on TV. God is bigger than the boogie man, just not the conservative establishment known as the AG!
Monday, February 4, 2008 at 3:16 pm
*clap*clap @ your Veggie Tales song… except that now it will be in my head all day
Monday, February 4, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I will be your friend! La La La.
Where is my hairbrush?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 12:31 am
we are the grapes of wrath we never take a bath…
everybody has a water buffalo mine is fast and yours is slow….
the bunny, the bunny, oo, i love the bunny…
shall i go on?