VIDEO: The Safest Space on the campus of Yale University

In 2015 Yale University students voiced their concern about the lack of a “Safe Space” on campus. The incident took place because of Halloween costumes worn by some students were considered “culturally insensitive.” The students tensions boiled over in the confrontation below, in which a crowd of students encircled Nicholas Christakis the Master of Silliman, one of Yale’s residential houses.

This confrontation came to mind as more and more students are demanding and more and more colleges and universities are providing “Safe Spaces” for their students. The Yale confrontation in 2015 is also important because it was sparked by costumes worn on Halloween. Halloween or All Hallows Evening is a Christian celebration that comes before “All Hallows Day” a celebration of all Christian saints.

According to Wikipedia:

Halloween or Hallowe’en (a contraction of All Hallows‘ Evening), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows‘ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve, is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows‘ Day.

All Hallows Day is:

All Saints’ Day is a celebration of all Christian saints, particularly those who have no special feast days of their own, in many Roman Catholic, Anglican and Protestant churches. In many western churches it is annually held November 1 and in many eastern churches it is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

So what does All Hallows’ Day have to do with Safe Spaces?

Yale has had a “safe space” since 1757. This safe space is named The University Church of Yale. According to the University Church of Yale’s website:

The University Church in Yale is the oldest university congregation in America, starting at Yale in 1757.  Today, we are a student-focused church welcoming Christian students of all backgrounds, as well as staff, faculty and New Haven neighbors.   Our church life is centered around Sunday worship in Yale’s historic Battell Chapel, which features beautiful music, challenging and thoughtful preaching, and the prayer of a diverse, faithful community.   We share our love of God with our neighbors through a commitment to service and advocacy for the hungry and homeless in New Haven.  And we have lots of fun together with retreats, study groups, meals, concerts, lectures and other events.  Whether you’re a lifelong Christian or exploring church for the first time, you are welcome here.

A church is truly a safe space. Luke 6:31 commands each and every person to:

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

What is safer? To be in a room with like minded people or to be in a church with a community of people who want to treat you as they want to be treated?

Most university and college campuses have churches or chapels available to students and faculty. Here is a link to a list of the thirty most beautiful college cathedrals and churches.

Perhaps the safest space is where your faith is?

As Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.”

RELATED ARTICLE: Colleges: Anti-Diversity and Pro-Exclusion

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