Spring Break
Pastor debates Christianity on Fairfield Way
Aaron Lescroart
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News
|
Surrounded by cameras and students, Knechtle talked for three hours with students, answering questions and encouraging dialogue. He was on campus by the invitation of the student organization UConn Students for Christ.
Knechtle is the senior pastor of the Grace Community Church in New Canaan, and his show runs on station WTNH. His show features the dialogues Knechtle has with students at different campuses around the U.S.
Knechtle was also on campus last week, and despite the bad weather, students still stopped to listen and talk to him, said Mike Bostwick, a 6th-semester statistics major and member of UConn Students for Christ.
"We thought that bringing a speaker to UConn to answer people's questions and start discussions would be a good event," Bostwick said.
Bostwick emphasized that his club was doing something different in bringing a religious speaker that pushed for conversation and dialogue on religious issues, rather than the inflammatory preachers that declared everyone sinners.
Things got heated at times during the dialogues, but Bostwick expected it as religion-based discussion often gets controversial.
There was more anger than Erica Wezner, a 6th-semester Spanish major, expected when she watched the discussions.
"There are a lot of interesting points that students bring up," Wezner said. "But it seems to be lost in a mess of miscommunication."
Knecthle kept a tight rein on the discussions he had with students, focusing on talking to one student at a time and calling out other students when they interrupted.
Knecthle said that his focus is to introduce Jesus Christ to people through debate and dialogue instead of just speaking and preaching to a crowd, and was impressed with the issues raised and the depth of thinking UConn students had.
Knecthle will continue to be on campus on Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. on Fairfield Way between the Student Union and School of Business.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
john
posted 4/15/09 @ 11:48 AM EST
have seen his show on tv some sundays. pretty interesting...
so i am guessing it is just seen in CT? or is it on many different abc stations across the country>?
Evan
posted 4/15/09 @ 7:38 PM EST
I enjoyed debating with Cliff. This was a great event regardless of the fact that debating religion is as close to pointless as debating gets. I kind of wish he didn't belittle UCONN students in comparison to his speaking MIT. (Continued…)
Jenny
posted 4/15/09 @ 10:07 PM EST
It was probably the better tactic taken by the group, using a "less preachy preacher," so to speak. But honestly, I have a hard time taking anyone seriously who's talking from a sidewalk. (Continued…)
Post a Comment