Muhammad had his mountain. Moses had his burning bush. Scanning the skyline, it easy for one to see that we are certainly lacking mountains anywhere around Starkville, and it’s been at least two semesters since I’ve seen any shrubbery catch fire on campus. So, are religious people left to wander aimlessly in search of holy ground at Mississippi State University? Are the landmarks of the pious nowhere to be found? The answer is no. One has to look no farther than the picnic tables outside the Union.
Various inscriptions, ranging from catchy one-liners to questions of life to scripture quotations, adorn the surface of many tables surrounding the fountain area next to the drill field. You decide whether their source is spiritual inspiration from the heavens, divine intervention of some deity or simply the adverse effects of onions on a Wendy’s Double Stack.
One is a quote from the New Testament: “For where two or three gather in my name, I am in the midst of them.” The response written directly under this: “Decent Christians don’t write on tables.” Now there is a point to ponder. However, fear not, Christian guru of table top evangelism, further writings have pardoned you: “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven.”
But the voices from the tables are not confined to the conventions of Christianity by any means. For example, another question reads, “Who’s got the herb?” It’s not a religious message, but it fits well with the whole burning bush motif.
Now consider this line of questioning.
Anonymous Writer No. 1: “Think back over your life. What did you like the most?”
Anonymous Writer No. 2: “Think back over why you wrote this, you freak.”
Anonymous Writer No. 3: “The answer to your question is ‘Why not?'”
Because a good answer was never written answering “Why not?”, others have continued to express their views.
Centered in the middle of one table in big, black, bold ink is the assertion that “REDNECK’S RULE!” Next to it, is the blanket statement, “I hate.” What exactly is hated has yet to be determined. However, I’ll assume rednecks are included. How I hope those two writers bump into one another some day.
So where are all of these tabletop nuggets of wisdom guiding us? Perhaps nowhere. According to one, “Life’s a journey, not a destination.” Comforting?
If not, take to heart what another person wrote: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you, not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.'”
Finally I read, “Do something for someone else; the world will be a lot different.” I can’t help but think that someone ought to do something for us all, and that person ought to be someone with a scrub brush or a can of gray spray paint to clean off the tables.
Among the many quips, questions, statements of belief and assertions of religion, is there one that we can all agree on? What is the unifying doctrine that we can all adhere to, strive for and hope to see accomplished?
Some wise and noble sage, one who has no doubt reached enlightenment, wrote this gem: “Go to Hell, Ole Miss.”
Michael Stewart is junior philosophy and religion major. Send comments to [email protected].