“I think Jesus is … ?”
This question was the center of discussion Monday when a campus Christian group erected a 12 feet-by-8 feet message board and allowed students to post their viewpoints about Jesus and who he is to them.
Campus Crusade for Christ sponsored
the board, which brought students from
all over campus to read and write on 3-by-5 cards to express their opinions on the often controversial figure.
CCC Coordinator Andy Wheeler said the group wanted to make a statement without standing on a soapbox.
“We want to open up dialog for faith-based discussion,” Wheeler said. “We want people to think about who Jesus is.”
People gathered around the board to read what was being posted and to post messages of their own.
Many people answered in different ways. People wrote that Jesus is “A hippie in sandals,” “A role model,” “Western Buddha,” “My savior and my best friend,” “Dead” and “Alive.”
Regardless of what was
written, most observers said it sparked discussion.
“It’s interesting, a good project,” Senior Michael Tarascio said. “A good way to think about Jesus.”
Wheeler said the response is exactly what his group was hoping for.
“We wanted something big to make a statement,” he said. “It’s gotten a lot of what we wanted.”
He added that people were free to write what they felt and
thought and weren’t approached by CCC members.
Group member Meg Kilduff said this an important part of the project.
“It’s an open dialogue without them feeling like we’re censoring what they have to say,” she said.
Freshman Nate Perlmutter said he posted his message because there was a wide variety of messages.
“They’re not all pro-Jesus so I’m comfortable posting it,” he said.
Senior Evan Goulette said he appreciated the freedom of expression.
“People are allowed to be cynical,” he said. He added, “It’s not as
unbiased as I would like, but it’s
not flagrant.”
CCC plans to have another event today. Wheeler said the group isn’t sure what it is going to do, but it will be done at the edge of the EMU Amphitheater. The group also intends to have an open-microphone discussion from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Kilduff said her group might bring the board back judging from the
response it received. She said
the cards might be used during Wednesday’s discussion.
Senior Hanif Panni said he liked the artistic aspect of the project and the opportunity to substitute any name or idea in place of Jesus and inspire other types of discussion.
“It’s an interesting idea,” Panni said. “A good way to see what people think about one thing.”

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