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IV performs to
promote unity
By Rebecca Wtthrow
InterVarsily performed its version of D.C.
(Decent Christian) Talk's "Walls" on September
2, as part of an attempt to shed its discriminatory
image and promote unity within the organiza
tion.
The performance took place in Boren Lounge
during the inter-collegiate national Christian
organization's regular meeting time of 8:45.
The show began with a skit addressing sources
of disagreement among Christians: from ques
tions of appropriate worship attire, and what
music is acceptable, to problems of racial and
sexual discrimination within the Church.
A group ofl.V. men hp-synched and danced to
the rap, rock and soul group's song, while knock
ing down cardboard walls symbolizing the invis
ible barriers separating them.
The chorus sang: 'Tearin' down the walls/ Of
segregation/ Unity abroad/ New revelation/
Tearin' down the walls/ Of segregation/ Unity
abroad/ In every nation."
Cris Wetterau, coordinator of the large-group
meetings said, "Guilford is so diverse, we want to
get some of that diversity in 1.V." The group
would like to have more participation from groups
such as the African-American Culture Society
and Interlink.
Of approximately fifty students coming to the
meetings last year, there was only one African-
American and one Philipino, Wetterau explained.
The rest of the group was white.
"And this is not a group for rich, white people,"
Butch Maier, evangelism coordinator, said. "This
year we want to break down the barriers." He
added that one does not have to be a Christian to
attend the meetings.
Tearing down the w alls would also me an chang -
ing the structure of the meetings and having a
greater diversity of speakers, explained Maier.
Members of I.V. were quick to express that
their organization is not ideologically homoge
neous.
"[Though] some of the most vocal people in
the group are very fundamentalist, everyone goes
for a different reason; some of us take the Bible
literally, and some of us, like me, are more left
wing," pointed out Maura Porcelli.
"The point is to learn to accept our differ
ences," commented Maier. "We spend so much
time focusing on our differences that we often
lose sight of that which we have in common—our
love of God."
This emphasis on differences has led to some
criticism of I.V. in the past, especially in its
attitudes toward homosexuals and non-Chris
tians.
"It would be a mistake to presume that
Inter Varsity, as an organization, supports all
people," commented RJ. Nickels. "The funda
mentalist grounding of the group allows for little,
if any, tolerance of the sexual minority; I.V.C.F.
(Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship], inc. sees us
as sinners in need of 'saving'."
Leslie Teate, a Guilford junior, explained, 'lf
you're in the group, it serves as a great support
system, but if you're not a member, it can feel
very exclusive... there are [I.V. dominated] parts
of the campus where I definitely don't feel I
belong."
However, some students see the group and its
reputation changing. "It's different this year from
two years ago, when I was a freshman," noted
Erika LeMay. "I think they've become more
aware of their role in the community; they're
trying to be more inclusive than they were be
fore."
Campus
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News
Guilford College
Campus Residents
September 10,1992