Hopeless, or Hopeful?

So, in class today we got into a discussion about prominent issues in our lives, in the world, and in Huntingdon. And to be honest, I got pretty depressed when I saw all of the things that are wrong today. It is overwhelming to think about the fact that even in college, where students choose to further their education and want to learn, we are burdened by standards, rules, and implications that limit our freedom as young adults seeking degrees. How in the world are we supposed to fix this?

I think the heart of the problem is the view institutions have of students. We are warm bodies to fill the desks and pump out statistics that make schools look better. But in our minds, the schools are looking worse and worse. Why does a college have an attendance policy that forces students to attend classes that cram their heads with as much useless information as they can in a hour? How can we see the value of our education when all we are learning to prepare for is the next test that can judge the standards of the institution?

In society found in the New Testament, I am not sure that the answers to these problems would be any easier to find than they are now. Having said that, I do think that biblical social groups had a much better sense of community than modern society. What if we, as a student body, bring our questions and concerns to the administration? What if we as a body realized our value to society and decided the things that we really want to know and approached our teachers and administration with our requests? Jesus wanted the Jews to strengthen and broaden their relationships with each other and with outsiders. Huntingdon is a small college. What if we united to bring our concerns out in the open and possibly figure out ways to change things around here? Maybe REL 312 can start the conversation on campus. Maybe we should make our own survey,  documentary, or history, getting the voices of our student body to all sing as one chorus. We each have talents and ideas to bring to the table.

Maybe the Romans could approach the athletes, the warriors of our school, and bring their concerns into focus. Maybe the Essenes could find and approach smaller programs and groups that many know nothing about in the life of Huntingdon. Maybe the Pharisees could talk to teachers and other faculty of the school who need to realize the worries about our student body. The Zealots and followers of "the Way" could talk to the more prominent religious groups and programs around campus that also may have something to say. I know that in one semester, this is a lot of work, and change probably wouldn't happen so suddenly. But I think that it is important for us as a class to take a closer look at our school. To bring our issues into discussion. Because personally, I am really worried about the learning institutions of this nation. Jesus wouldn't just stand by and watch all of this happen. So we shouldn't either.