So here’s an annoying rant to U.S. Christians from the POV of an ex-Christian (in short, whoever you are just encourage your kids to think for themselves):

There’s no reason to be afraid of where anyone goes to school if you taught your child to critically think & your religious beliefs don’t encourage blind obedience. Jesus was not blindly obedient, not even to God. (No, he wasn’t.)

It is certainly possible to be a critically thinking Christian. You do have to read that book though, and talk to as many ppl as you can who are reading it too! Then, argue a lot until you all feel like you have some understanding. The Council of Nicea did this, and some useful things came out of it.

Since no one reads, and no one wants to argue, it’s become a hell of a lot easier to just say “no questions, please. god doesn’t like questions!” Also “THE CHILDRENNNNNNN!!!”

Questions and challenges are good. You shouldn’t feel bad when ppl are confused about your beliefs - you’ve had a lot of very negative publicity. Some of your beliefs (yours not Christ’s) are violent, anachronistic, and anti-human. It’s good to be challenged on these things, as it refines your faith. You don’t have to tolerate mistreatment, but you all are not being persecuted for your faith at Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia, or Dartmouth (nothing is being religiously persecuted in Hanover except the snow).

My quals for this screed: I’m an IVL grad, a grew up in a very conservative Christian household (2 pastors in 2 different generations), I was shocked to discover that people didn’t take the Bible literally when I was 15-16. I’m an avid reader, and like history. Being exposed to other modes of thought didn’t push me away from Christianity, but the hypocrisy, violence, and complete lack of critical thought I saw in many of my fellow Christians did (oops!). Many years later I have a more gentle view of these things - I understand the humanity of the situation more clearly, so I’m less angry and more accepting.

I grew up in a world where Christians fantasized about being persecuted like they were in Rome. It wasn’t happening in my town then and it’s not happening at Harvard (or anywhere else in the U.S.) now. Rather than working to accelerate the apocalypse, you all could be acting more Christ like and speaking up against things you KNOW he would hate - like poverty for instance, or child labor, or systemic violence. Maybe you could organize a little something to…idk help ppl. Just a thought!