Staff Reports
The ongoing struggle for religious freedom, especially for Christians in America, has taken a notable turn on college campuses across the nation. Recently, Blake Jones, a 19-year-old student at Colorado State University, found himself at the center of a controversy when he faced harassment for expressing his faith in a public setting. Blake, a devout Catholic and active member of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), decided to write Bible verses in chalk on campus. Little did he know that this peaceful demonstration would lead to hostility and even spitting from his peers.
Blake, along with three other students, was counter-protesting an anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) rally when he expressed his faith through scripture. This act of devotion, though peaceful, was met with unexpected and aggressive backlash. It seems that expressing Christian beliefs has become increasingly controversial in environments where other religions are shielded from such attacks. Blake noticed that, unlike Jewish or Islamic beliefs, which are often respected or protected, Christianity seems to be a target of ridicule and disdain. This disparity raises questions about the broader dynamics of respect and acceptance for various faiths in our society.
The young student pondered why Christians have become easy targets for hostility. He pointed out that the connection of Christianity with certain demographics—particularly white European men—might play a role in this bias. Blake himself, sporting a Trump hat and openly celebrating his devotion, has encountered name-calling and derogatory stereotypes. He feels that this dehumanizing treatment is not only unfair but also indicative of a larger trend of intolerance towards conservative beliefs.
Amidst this onslaught of secularism and hostility, Blake has found steadfastness in his faith. His journey towards becoming a committed Christian was sparked just a few months prior during a transformative trip to Rome. It was during this trip that he felt an undeniable presence of God—a moment that pivoted his agnosticism into a profound faith. Since then, he has embraced prayer and seeks to respond to adversity with compassion, a striking contrast to his previous instinct to react with aggression. Instead of retaliating, he took time to pray for those who attacked him, hoping for a positive outcome from his situation.
Blake’s experience highlights the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, especially for young people grappling with their beliefs on college campuses. He passionately believes that Christians should not back down in the face of intimidation. Instead, they should boldly continue to spread their message, embodying the principle found in Matthew 10:16, which encourages believers to be wise yet innocent. Blake sees this as critical not just for himself but for everyone facing hostility due to their faith or conservative beliefs. In standing firmly for his beliefs, Blake is not just dealing with personal attacks; he is also part of a larger movement striving to ensure that faith continues to have a voice in the public square—one chalk message at a time.
