This Fall we had a panel discussion on "Is there Purpose to Life?: A Buddhist and a Christian Perspective" we had a buddhist and christian panelist to give presentations and on stage there was also a student panel of 3 (agnostic student, neo orthodox Jewish student and agnostic/athiest student from mainland china). These students asked questions and helped the dialogue along on stage with the panelists by asking challenging questions.

The Chinese student is a Junior in the college (highly respected by peers for his intellect/certified genius) and he's also been imprisoned for a year in China. Because of his horrible experience, he's developed a cynicism that institutions, idealogies, religions enslave our minds through conditioning and therefore we are unable to find truth. He's also developed a desire to lead wants to be the "George Bush of China" and believes that people's worth is derrived from their ability to contribute to a "higher good/purpose" therefore handicapped people are a drain to society. With this background the buddhist speaker offered "self awareness as the doorway to freedom."

The Christian speaker deeply affirmed his desire for freedom, renounced religions, including christianity, systems, governments that do not leave room to doubt, question, struggle. The Christian speaker almost got the kid to "Amen" in his seat and then he built enough trust to later turn to the Chinese student in an answer to another question and say...

"If you go back to China and have great influence, I'd ask 'How do I create an environment where people are truly valued, where the human being is the most valued resource in the nation. Not seen as instruments, tools and mechanisms to be used and to accomplish some higher purpose but the highest purpose is helping every human being be fully alive adn achieve their highest potential.' "

Please pray that the movement of Jesus Christ is such a community on this campus that has lost hope and doesn't even realize it.