Editor’s Note: This is the first in a four-part series exploring the role of religion in the lives of Ohio University students.
When he came to Ohio University in the fall of 2008, senior Zac Martin hardly expected religion to become a major part of his life. Four years later, he is the president of Campus Cru.
“I went to youth group in high school and went through the motions, but I didn’t understand what exactly I was believing in,” he said. “One of my good friends (freshman year) was on Cru, and he came to my room and shared the gospel with me. It started working on my heart.”
Martin started reading the Bible and learning what following Jesus Christ meant, eventually fully incorporating it into his life.
Freshman Celia Tice had a similar experience this past fall when she arrived at OU.
“I went to a Christian school from kindergarten through eighth grade, but the things enforced at the school were, I want to say, kind of radical Christian views,” she said. “Those views changed my perception of Christianity in a bad way. I didn’t want anything to do with it because of those past experiences.”
Yet when Tice befriended several people involved with Campus Cru and 180 — the weekly meeting of Cru — religion began to seep back in her life.
Tice’s school-induced distaste is not uncommon, though. Dr. Steve Hays, professor of Difficult Dialogues on Religious Beliefs, said religious upbringings often end up turning people away from religion.
“Some people may still feel angry about the changes that confused them as they grew up,” he said. “As feelings pile up — such as with race, women’s rights, gay rights, abortion and pre-marital sex — people don’t know to deal with the changes. You have to be thoughtful or gracious about change without giving up on ideals.”
Once freshmen come into the college world and are away from their parents’ watchful eyes, Tice said she thinks they want to try everything, with religion being the least of their concerns.
“Coming to a university, there is so much temptation with all of the partying, and so many new doors open for people,” she said. “(College kids) just want to branch out and discover new things.”
In addition to the bitter taste past experiences might leave, Martin said the college atmosphere can conflict with a dedication to faith.
“A lot around us is telling us not to follow Christ,” Martin said. “Being different is challenging. We also can’t just accept what we are told; we have to understand why it is all-important. We are a fast-paced society, so finding time to read and pray is tough as well.”
Despite the obstacles, Martin said he is able to keep his faith by ensuring that he finds time to read his Bible every day. In addition, he reads about Christianity regularly. Yet, more than anything else, Martin is motivated by the sense of purpose he finds in Christianity.
“I realized that I wanted more to my life than the American dream,” he said. “I didn’t see a better way to live my life than for the Creator. I recognize that Christ died for my sins, and I wanted to worship Him like He died for me.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
