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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 1975)
edibrio r Josh showmanship is entertoinin It wasn't a hoax after all. There really is- God help us-a creature called Josh. And Sunday night he gave a Nebraska Union Ballroom audience what they wanted (sixty minutes of intellectual meandering that are also available-you guessed it in his book), not what they needed-a lecture on where religion ends and showmanship begins. One of the most e ffective-and irritating-publicity campaigns ever to engulf this campus preceeded the 33-year-old lecturer. So much so that when Josh passed a water fountain on his way in, there was some question as to whether he would drink the liquid or try to walk on it. --- The biblical blitzkrieg got underway officially early in December. Little rectangular signs saying simply "JOSH" began appearing in the lower right-hand corner of residence hall windows. The planning began long before that. Members of the Campus Crusade for Christ began seeking approval for McDowell's campus speeches in June 1974. Approval was given with the understanding that such speeches must be secular, philosophical, historical or cultural in content. Religious worship or testimony would not be allowed. The groups agreed. Somebody should have told Josh. He met all the qualifications for testimony except swearing on a Bible. Most irritating of all was the final week before Josh's appearance during which his devotees did everything to prepare the way but line the streets with palm fronds and sing loud hosannahs. Every corner on campus seemed to have someone antagonizing passers-by with cries of "Go see Josh". Leaflets were crammed into unwilling hands. Those who took the long way to class to avoid a confrontation got the leaflet anyway-under the windshield wiper of their car. Even the classroom offered no respite. Few were the rooms whose blackboards didn't carry the message: "SAVE. JOSH-Resurrection is an uplifting experience. SAVE." If the University is going to allow blackboards to become billboards, let's hope they at least charge a suitable rate. Fosters were everywhere. Josh gazing into a crystal ball and warning that "what you don't know may hurt you." Josh posing with a woman in front of a junk pile and promising "Maximum Sex." (If the posters are right-speeches on 400 campuses in 42 countries-one wonders when he finds time to practice.) And it would have taken the talents of a John O'Leary to make it to class Friday without stumbling over the multitude of cardboard boxes that were sliding their way around campus proclaiming the wonders of Josh. The lesson to be learned is simple. Madison Avenue messiahs are entertaining but leave you empty. Inner peace is something you get on your own. Wes Albers g, but empty V A' ' "V-J '''''' i Josh McDowell RHA-morethanrefrigerators Deur editor: I am conducting an investigation into the uses and the propriety of the Religious Preference Card, which is placed among each student's registration materials each semester. I would appreciate comments and information from any member of the University community on the Religious Preference Card. A particular point upon which I would especially appreciate submissions would be on justifications for the Religious Preference Card, and on the opposing side, reasons for elimination of the Religious Preference Card. Please direct responses to me at the ASUN office. Doug Voegler ASUN Senator Yell squad complaints Dear editor: Has anyone taken a serious look at NlPs pride and joy, the yell squad? i don't mean to cut them down if at all possible, but I can't understand why they're so afraid of change." Sure . . . the girls finally got new uniforms, but those things aren't really uniforms for a cheerleader. They're something kids might wear. But getting to the real point ... the yell squad to me is grossly disproportioned as to the number of girls and guys. Other visiting squads seem to always be in equal proportions which gives a well-rounded appearance to the squad. Our squad seems to have the impression now that fancy stunts will make up for the lack of male equality on it. They're dead wrong! Increasing the guys to maybe six or seven would be a step in the right direction as they could really create some new enthusiasm, . which seems to be lost right now in NU crowds. A tew extra guys with a genuine desire to lead yells .and ignite spirit is all that's necessary as they'd soon realize if they'd just try it. Last week, Kansas St. didn't have any super cheerleaders. . .just a well-rounded group of kids who liked to cheer. I hope NLTs squad can "get it together" soon. Christie Editor's note: Tim Evensen is RHA president. Everybody is well aware of, and not too happy about, the upcoming $95 increase in room and board rates next year. RHA is not too happy with a $95 increase either-and we know that this is an inopportune time to ask-but RHA would like to propose an additional $1 increase. This additional $1 would be split evenly between RHA and the individual residence hall governments. Right away some will say "What are they going to do with this money"; and "Do they really need this additional $1"?; or "No way am I going to pay one more dollar for housing next year"! No matter what your first reaction might be, please read this and then make up your mind. There are two things everyone should understand. First, this is just a proposal and if a large majority of the people do not agree to it, it will not be put into effect. Second, as RHA president, I will only be addressing my answer to RHA and not to the individual residence hall governments. I mention this second point because most people are aware of the services or programs their residence hall governments provide for them, but when it comes to RHA they are unsure of what it has done or what its purpose is. The most common thing people think of when they hear of RHA is refrigerators. Yes, we are involved with relrigerators, but RHA is moa than that. RHA's main purpose is to make the residence halls a better place to live. Mainly, RHA does that by acting as the voice of the residents to the administration, with emphasis put on the housing office. FUIbjNIIAL. That word can be used to describe RHA. And with this additional $1 per person, it can reach this potential. . . What can it do? It can increase the type of things we have done this year and initiate new ones in the future. As outgoing RHA president, I cannot say what will be done in the future. Possibilities are for RHA to sponsor more activities for all of the residents, such as having dances more tMn once or twice a year. RHA could subsidize activities or programs of the individual residence halls then open them to everybody with the financial aid and vocal support of RHA. . : But reaching this potential will need your input: tell your representatives what you like or dislike or what you would like your $1 to be spent for. to main One last point I would like to make is that for the $95 increase, the Housing Office is giving us only one new service, the Centrex phone system. I feel that for an additional $1, the residence hall governments 'and RHA can provide many new services and activities next year. That $1 could help make the residence halls a better place to live. So, you see, RHA does more than just rent refrigerators. We would like to know what you think about this proposal. Either express your opinion to your RHA representative or to your residence hall government so they can bring it to the next RHA meeting. Or tell us personally. The next RHA meeting will be Thursday in the basement of Rurr-FfMo p f . i-.il - U.. L.UJI V.UJ1IJJU.J CI I p. (11. rannnn L&U-iiuvJ 'm . you urn, IT SfcEAS Utit Something- I on W CMY WALK P00)tf THE START AfflMRt WITHOUT GZmm A LEAFLET SfOVED I tf Wt FACE J:.:;,;.. ,iJ, . Tit, rt titer mxwro rMW ME h imm 19 oom to get it sipm mm back oom his mo AT J DONY USE T1T MM I wst 6f JDSilWfc page 4 daily nebraskan monday, january 27, 1975