Overcoming Indifference

by | 7 Comments

Updated 4/11/12

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.”

~ Elie Wiesel

I don’t know about you, but on the campus I serve, I seem to encounter an increasing number of students who don’t seem to care.

They come across as apathetic.

They seen mostly  indifferent.

Indifferent towards God.

Indifferent towards the Church.

Indifferent towards their academics.

Indifferent towards the majority of their relationships.

Indifferent towards a lot of things that they should care about…

And I’m not quite sure what to do about it.

I suppose it could be that it’s late in the spring term and they’re all ready to be done.

But it would seem that in this campus culture of growing apathy, many of today’s students are struggling to connect their hearts to things that matter.

No, you’re right… this doesn’t describe all of our students today.  That is most certainly true!

But it does describe a growing number of them.

And I scratch my head… puzzled.

How has this happened?

Why don’t they care?

Have they always been this way?  Or is this just a part of the college experience that all college students experience?

Maybe it’s a symptom of the Emerging Adulthood phase of life, or maybe this generation has found its way to a new low… as a result of the world they live in?

Or, again, maybe it’s just this time of year…

But I wonder… what will it take to shake them from this apathetic state???

I don’t think the answers will be found in programs… but God could use them.

I don’t think it will be evangelistic campaigns… but God could use those too.

I don’t think it will be bible studies, worship services or prayer gatherings… because I don’t think these students are showing up at them.

I do think that some of the most powerful forces that God uses (past/present/future) on our campuses are the students, staff, faculty who love God fully — and those of us who serve them.  And as we allow our “lights” to shine ever-brighter in those places of indifference, there’s no telling how God might choose to work.

But wasn’t this what the prophets were doing during the time of the divided Kingdom?

They manned the watchtower and served as God’s mouthpieces to a people who “knew” what was required of them, what God desired for them; but just didn’t care.

SO, I find myself wondering if there’s more that can be done.

I don’t mean to paint such a disparaging picture of our work with college students… because we all know that there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful as well.

But today I find myself concerned about this indifferent crowd…  and how they seem to be one of the fastest growing populations on campus.

What to do you think?

  • What are you seeing on your campus?
  • How do you give special attention to this indifferent crowd as a part of your ministry with college students?
  • Where are you seeing “successes” with this population?

Please take a moment to share your thoughts, insights or questions in the comment section below.

 

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About the Author

Guy Chmieleski

Guy is the Founder of FaithONCampus.com. He is also the University Minister, at Belmont University, located in Nashville, TN. FaithONCampus.com is designed with campus and college ministers in mind, and is here to serve as: a resource, catalyst for conversations and encouragement for our shared work with today’s college students.

  • Derek Roe

    I think you’re really onto something here, Guy. The early church saw persecution and evil spirits as their great threats. The patristics largely saw heresy as theirs (Augustine et al. were fond of talking about how people love to make gods out of everything but the true God). The medieval church seemed to name sin and other religions as their biggest enemy. For today’s church (and those of us whose ministries are in academic settings), our biggest enemy seems to be meaninglessness.

    Paul Tillich wrote about this very thing in the 1960′s, and I think that Christians did not heed his warning about the damage that meaninglessness would do if we did not provide and live authentic witness to the power of our faith to change lives.

    Apathy, cynicism, egocentrism, escapism and indifference are just the beginning of this lack of cultural awareness that religious faith can bring greater meaning, purpose and happiness to peoples’ lives. You’re right to point out that incarnational ministry–authentic living out of our faith–is the best ministry against meaninglessness. This generation seems to seek that which is real even more than the Gen Xers. Our challenge is to live into what is Real in our lives and to let that Light shine!

    • http://faithoncampus.com Guy Chmieleski

      Very well said Derek! Thanks!!

  • Jamie Johnson

    Good post – and I wonder if it is not indifference, but rather overstimulation that masks as indifference. So many things asking to be cared about, that it becomes impossible to show care for any one thing. If this is the case, then one more stimulant (a new relationship, etc.) is not going to be the answer. But how does one limit stimulants without using force or oppression? I’m not totally sure about that, but I think it begins by creating space that is spiritual and not like every other stimulant – fast-moving, loud, intrusive. What would such a space look like on a college campus?

    • http://faithoncampus.com Guy Chmieleski

      Jamie, I like where you’re heading with this… and I think you’re right! And I think the answer (in part) is to get students off campus, in order to experience life and a slower, more intentional pace, so that they can come back to campus and live differently.

    • rh wimer

      So overstimulated they tune out? I see this in our teen and older sons and daughter. I feel this way myself sometimes. Overwhelmed.

  • Laura

    Dear Guy: 
    I am a Catholic Confirmation facilitator and have been praying hard to reach my students, for the first time I have not connected with the kids that I have in my group.  I found your comments as I am preparing for our Annual Retreat, again praying about reaching them and I entered Indifference and youth in a Google search.   It’s interesting most of the kids I have this year, they are all Juniors in High School, attended a Catholic Elementary School through 8th Grade and many of them attend a Catholic High School!   They are all indifferent to one degree of another, great kids but indifferent and apathetic.  The Retreat we do is very childish and I always try to put additional into it, again many of these same kids have been trained to do Retreats, so I need to be on my toes with them.  I want to talk to them about ego and indifference, so many examples throughout History, Hitler and the German people, etc…For the first time I feel like I won’t shine the light of GOD into their minds and dispel the darkness and get them to understand the importance of their “Relationship” with Christ, before they are out on their own in the world, college and beyond, and an avalanche of life falls on them!!  
    Thanks for the opportunity to plead and vent a little!   

    • http://faithoncampus.com Guy Chmieleski

      Hey 

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