Why Biola Rocks?

Sigh. I haven't trashed anything on my blog for a while, but when the opportunity arises- I just can't help it. This video frustrates me the same way Bill Maher's film "Religulous" did. Both flicks are shot with specific intentions that come through more obnoxious than beneficial. In Maher's case, he's Bill Maher- he knows he's an asshole; the unfortunate thing about the Biola video is that the students in the flick have no idea.

At this point I have to say two things: First, I actually really enjoyed Religulous, once I got used to Bill Maher. The film had a point of view and I appreciate Maher's call to agnostics and atheists to speak up in regard to their religious views. Second, I graduated from Biola and had a difficult yet, life changing experience there. This critique on the "Biola Rocks" video should be taken as... oh, what would the Christians call it.... loving accountability?

That being said, the Biola Rocks video was the most unfortunate pile of bullshit I have seen in a long time. For those of you who put the video together I want to acknowledge some rather artistic shots and good pacing. It was also very professional; the students who made the film actually won a contest put on by the US News and World Report, and in my heart of hearts I am kind of proud.

Unfortunately, like the Maher film there was too much time spent on idiots doing idiotic things rather than, smart people saying and doing interesting things. The video was supposed to be fun, I get it. College is fun, Biola is fun, everyone is having fun but come on... A topless, rippled, blonde guy exclaiming "oh hey, what's popping?" followed by him tossing a football to himself? And this all from a school that proudly takes a stand against masturbation.

One commentator said, "Some of the students seemed really sarcastic in their interviews." Another comment was, "I have to say, I found it to be a little cheesy, and not really all that funny."

That is my issue. The cheese-ball antics of trying to make Biola something that it's not. Biola is not a normal university. For over a hundred years Biola has taken a stand against the norm by being at the forefront of Christian education. Biola scholars have every right to be taken seriously because, regardless of what I or the rest of the world may think about it, they stand up for what they believe in. Another confusing aspect of the video is that academically Biola is no joke. One has to be somewhat intelligent to attend Biola University; therefore, I have a hard time rationalizing the scholastic achievements of the student body with: "Dude, Biola rocks cuz' we can ride scooters... scooters!"

The thing is, it would be simple for me to write this video off as just some stupid youtube flick that is pretty easy to avoid. Yes, the video is easy to avoid but the stereotypes of Evangelical Christianity are not. It is not fair for people like Bill Maher to deem all christians idiots; however, the important things the video said such as, "I love the people," "the teachers are actually involved with the students...it's great to see such a huge family," and "everything we stand for...our core beliefs...are integrated into our classes," are befuddled by a tall asian boy giving hopes to other guys out there, as he confidently pronounces with three hot brauds on his arm, "Biola rocks because the guy to girl ratio."

More links:
yes and yes

Fear Out Front pt 2

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come and participate

8 pm
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
East Village Coffee Monterey, CA

come participate. participants will not be asked to perform, but rather artistically respond to the performance in the medium of their choice.