I, like many of my fellow students, am quite fatigued by the seemingly eternal Chapel debate channeled through the Optimist, yet there is one particular issue that hasn’t been addressed and I feel someone should shed light upon it.

For the past two weeks, I have been quite frustrated and angered by the constant display of disrespect by my peers during Chapel time. At times I must do all I can from jumping on my chair and screaming “WILL YOU SHUT UP?” More than once now we have had a poor individual standing on stage, already nervous I’m sure, and all that really can be heard is the constant obnoxious murmur of hundreds of students who refuse to stop talking.

I am ashamed to include myself in a student body that insists on such appalling disrespect. I have to ask myself during that time, “How old are we?” The fact is, we are not eight-year olds at a school assembly. We are adults and as such we should behave like them.

The most offensive factor about this behavior is a large portion of you would claim to be a Christian. Does that title and that behavior match to you?

I do not claim that I have not and will not speak during Chapel, but I do hope that when I see my offense, that I would respectfully stop.

To those who are a part of this mob, I ask you why? Why do you insist on such disrespect? If you think you are making a point by somehow “rebelling” to display your distaste for the new Chapel regulations, be aware that it is such immaturity that is the soil in which such regulations are planted. I also must ask, if you were on that stage, would you appreciate that behaviour?

To those of you who have no alternate purpose to your actions other than to hear yourself speak, take a second to stop thinking about yourself and listen. Be respectful, if not just for the benefit of those who are attempting to selflessly teach us all how to be better people, but also for your peers who wish to listen in peace. Perhaps you too may learn something. To those of you who did place the new regulations, be aware that treating your students with such an upper hand WILL cause them to react immaturely. It is my personal opinion that the manner in which you approached the new regulations is partly to blame for the student’s behavior. You did speak down to us. You did make us feel as if we were five year olds and hence how do you expect that we will act? I have always loved Chapel, I went every chance I had, but now I feel strangled. I am left choice-less. I understand that you have a purpose to these modifications and you had the best intent, but your rudeness was just as offensive as the students’.

I find it ironic and appropriate that this week’s beatitude is meekness. Perhaps we should all listen and learn.

Anise Hotchkiss
junior ministry and media major from Desboro,
Ontario, CANADA