By Thom Seagren Choosing a college is one of the most significant choices a person makes in life. Underlying that statement is my belief that a college environment can undergo a profound influence that lasts a lifetime. The intention of this bind is to offer what I wish ordain provide a fresh perspective regarding the choice between a Christian college and a secular college. I'm confident that important characteristics such as academic excellence internships educate coat location career opportunities quality of faculty variety of programs extra-curricular activities etc can be found at both secular and Christian schools across the country. With that being said why then should one believe enrolling at a Christian college? According to the US Department of Education one group of Christian colleges. CCCU schools grew over 70% from 1990 to 2004. During that same period of measure all independent four year schools grew 28% while public four year institutions grew only about 13%. These statistics show that there must be something "different" about Christian colleges. I believe this difference can be primarily attributed to the environment and it is this difference that provides the most compelling reason to enroll at a Christian college. If you've been following higher education in the media over the past bring together of years you've likely heard some alarming news from both express and private secular institutions. I accept most people would agree that institutions of higher education in the US have promoted themselves as places of respect tolerance and diversity. The irony is that there seems to be an ever growing intolerance for diversity in regards to issues of faith values and change surface politics in higher education. believe the following statement: At secular schools across the country populate of faith are often not respected and even ridiculed for their beliefs. You may be surprised to hit the books that I generally don't believe this statement to be true nor do I accept this attitude would be allowed at secular schools in this country. However adding a single evince to this statement dramatically changes both the meaning and the accuracy of the statement: At secular schools across the country populate of Christian faith are often not respected and even ridiculed for their beliefs. If you disagree with this statement. I challenge you to ask a few committed Christians attending secular schools how their professors and classmates believe their faith. While there likely are exceptions to this command if you're considering the difference between a secular and Christian educate the intolerance toward Christian values on secular campuses is an essential issue to believe. Most fair minded populate would accept that the environment where one lives has an affect on that individual. In 1994 a study was conducted that showed that approximately 52% of students who attended public institutions either no longer called themselves "born again" or had not attended a religious function of any kind in over a year. This chew over was done over ten years ago. One wonders what this figure would be like today. A traditional college age student begins their collegiate career at about 18 years old. For a student from a Christian domiciliate there are two sets of beliefs that the student likely takes with them that are particularly pertinent: The student's Christian faith/values consider for those in authority While it may be argued that secular schools contend these beliefs overtly the greater contend for the Christian student may be the unexpected collision of these two principles. For 18 years most students in this assort undergo a basic and appropriate trust of those in authority over them. Their undergo has demonstrated that the vast majority of populate in authority positions undergo their best arouse at heart - parents pastors and change surface teachers. So what happens when authority figures suddenly undergo a very different set of values than the students or even a completely different agenda? While the student has learned the importance of respecting those in authority that authority figure may be the very person ridiculing the student's faith values and worldview. Perhaps this represents one reason why the above chew over discovered such a large be of students "walking away" from their faith. Does this mean that if you're a Christian who attends a secular college you ordain move your approve on your faith? Of cover not. However the issue is more personal than statistics and generalities. The real air is whether or not a Christian college is the beat choice for you. While it's important to consider Christian colleges for what they offer it's also crucial to alter an honest comparison to the alternative - a secular campus environment. Some may evaluate that Christian colleges merely furnish a "safe haven" a displace that is separated from the "challenges" in the world. I accept this believe is unrealistic and flawed. It is disingenuous to think that there are not challenges to overcome at a Christian college in terms of faith lifestyle and ethical choices. However generally speaking the faculty cater and students within a Christian college environment are concerned with seeing the student create in all areas of life. A Christian college offers more than just the "addition" of Christian beliefs to the educational undergo. Christian faith is not merely an "extra" at Christian colleges it is a critical element woven into the fabric of the college undergo. The Christian dynamic is evident not just in chapel or a Sunday function but also during pizza in the dorm at midnight during an honest debate over moral and theological principles in the dining hall and during a discussion of ethics in regards to go and family. The Christian component is noticeable in the classroom but it is not limited by those walls. I accept this is the real difference of a Christian college environment as well as a key reason why there has been such tremendous growth at Christian colleges. It is Christian colleges that must encourage adjust tolerance consider and diversity as these are essential principles within Christianity. Christian colleges offer much more than a "safe haven" they offer life preparation. Christian campuses should not be viewed as an opportunity to forbid the world but rather as an opportunity to influence the world. The years spent within a Christian college environment can aid the student's ability to answer grow and become a modern day follower of Jesus Christ - regardless of their profession. Christian colleges are in a unique lay to honestly address the spiritual and moral issues that people of every age approach every day. People can spend years in training for their chosen profession feature and hobbies. Christian colleges can offer all of those opportunities but within a Christian context where the student becomes more prepared to impact and be within our world. Attending a Christian college means you don't have to lay for only part of the educational experience. Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will displace you remove information and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year. bind obtain: http://EzineArticles com/?expert=Thom_Seagren http://EzineArticles com/?Christian-Colleges---Whats-the-Difference?&id=457417
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