Thoughts on my Christian College

I don't know if you guys know this, but I went to a christian college.

Liberty University

Of course, there are pros and cons to attending any college, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed my university experience. I participated in the marching band and the wind ensemble every available semester (I played the bass clarinet and clarinet). During my four years, I decided to major in English Literature. I had a really good time in college, and part of me still misses all that free time.

hmm, I wonder where those earrings ended up? #lost

After graduation, when I moved back home and made my way into the world, I was shocked to find that everyone had a different opinion on my choice of where to attend college. When asked where I went, I was puzzled over the negative reactions I received.

A christian college isn't a real college! All you did was learn about God, right? That's not education!

You went where? Isn't that the Jerry Falwell school? Don't they hate gays or something?

Oh, you are one of those people...why didn't you go to a real college? 

I even almost was fired over where I attended school once.

My female manager where I was working at the time was married to another women. I didn't know this; no one at work talked about their sexual orientation. She and I hardly interacted at all, her being a manager or course, but I had nothing against her. Yet, when she heard I attended Liberty, she automatically assumed I hated people who live a gay lifestyle, and she reported me to HR, stating that she had overheard me telling another individual that gays were evil and were going to hell. If you know me at all, you would know I am the type of person who would never ever say that! I was called into the office of her manager and I was shocked to find this reported against me. That manager is the one who told me she was married to a women. However, I staunchly stood my ground against the accusations, and another coworker of mine who I was friends with  outside of work (and knew was gay) stood up for me and said that I was not like that. He and I had even (outside of work) talked about God and he knew what I thought about homosexuality. It still makes me puzzled and upset to think about this, even through I no longer work there! I know there are a lot of stories about Christians being idiots towards gay people, but it never really occurred to me that it could happen the other way around. I think that it is wrong to hate anyone, no matter their sexual preference, and I would never presume to tell someone they are going to hell! The truth is that anyone can be slandered against, christian or no.

After this I was a bit leery to tell people where I went to college. But I'm not anymore. You know, I received a good education. I think my college was amazing, and I feel like I was really challenged in my field, and that I grew as a person and as an English major. True, every college has its downsides, but I stand by my choice to go there, and its nothing to be ashamed of. I would never tell someone who attended a different college that their decision was wrong! I just don't see what the big deal is.

No one should be put down from their university choice.