For those that weren't aware, CCM is having a retreat called the "The Kings Men" this weekend. It's about being a man of integrity when the rest of the world makes it more acceptable to not be held accountable for your actions. Anyway, the fliers they posted have caused a lot of controversy on campus, some teachers have actually used it as a topic of discussion in class and many fliers have been torn down. Then Elizabeth told me about this blog that was written:
http://jmuwomensstudentcaucus.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/jmu-catholic-campus-ministrys-man-retreat/#comment-548
I was extremely sad that the interpretation of this retreat was way off base...so I commented. I tried explaining it, and the author actually said she would meet with me, so hopefully that will happen.
So to get to the point, it just struck me that while I'm in the middle of praying that God is forming a man who is completely focused on his faith, there is the perfect retreat to help guide and empower men to do just that. What do you know, it actually upsets people. I have realized that the worldly view has become so skewed that people are completely upset that for once, men are trying to take a stand and encourage guys to be faithful and loving and just all around "good". After all that is how we were created. I pray that all the heat will cause more people to come and who knows, change a few people's points of view.
Wow. This infuriates me. I understand that it should have been more explicit in the ad, but you would think if it has "CCM" splayed on the cover of the ad, that people would realize that there is more than just worldly "manliness" at this retreat. Whether one is gay, straight, or anything in between, one should desire to change the social norms. Thank you for sharing, Col.
ReplyDeleteWow. I just read through the post and all the comments, and it is amazing to me how one flier can stir up SO much controversy. Everyone completely missed the point of what this weekend is supposed to be about for men. People jump to conclusions and some of the comments were very upsetting. I am proud of the writer of the blog, however, for being so open to Colleen's and Maggie's comment. She seems to be very open to discussing it, which is not something you find very often. I hope that you can talk to her and just discuss was we as CCMers are all about.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, this article also made me angry. But at the same time, it kind of made me laugh...because the girl was soooooo completely off about what the Mantreat is all about. Though it is frustrating that someone has in a away "attacked" the whole event and CCM, there is a positive side to it all...our name is really getting out there and we know that people actually do pay attention to those flyers!!! haha
ReplyDeleteI just read this and commented on it. I have to honestly say that I think the blog writer handled this pretty well considering her initial misunderstanding, and I like the conversation going back and forth! What made me much more angry than her initial comments was John's comment. He gave this group of women exactly what they were looking for: an example of the Catholic "mysoginism" they believe permeates all aspects of our Church. I completely lost my cool reading it. Please pray for me that I could have more patience with John and not harbor angry feelings towards him about this.
ReplyDeleteThe article in the breeze is even worse. It seems unbiased but it has subtle but strong biases in the language [anti-abortion, for example, instead of pro-life].
ReplyDeleteFr Jim described it pretty well: Its not about women, it is about men. The opposite of man is NOT woman, but they are two separate, fully formed wholes. Related, surely, but not dependent upon each other's self-definition.
I was going to write a letter to the editor of the breeze, would y'all like to help? Then we can all claim the letter as a gaggle?
Christine,
ReplyDeleteI may be a graduate, but I'd be happy to help if there is anything I can help with for the letter. Please let me know!
Ali