Confessional Booth On UGA Campus Meant To Create Dialogue

Photo Credit: Patricia Andrews

by Patricia Andrews
04/22/2008

Some passed by uninterested. Some muttered mocking words. Many looked on with curiosity, and some stopped to find out.

A small group of students, who prefer to remain nameless, sat in front of a large white banner with the word “CONFESSION” painted in bright red across it.

Situated on north campus just in front of the main library, the sign provided all of the provocation necessary. After all, who would bear their soul to a complete stranger?

When approached with questions about the sign, they explained that this confessional booth was not created for students to unload their misdeeds, but rather they were doing the confessing on behalf of Christians and on behalf of the church.

To all who approached, they apologized for the church’s many offenses both today and throughout history. They apologized for the crusades, the church’s treatment of homosexuals, and for not representing Jesus and speaking love.

They met all sorts of responses from laughter and distaste, to approval and encouragement. The most common initial response was confusion or disapproval; however, once they were given the opportunity to explain their intentions most were open-minded and appreciated their message.

One person laughed in their face, only to return later to apologize for his behavior, according to freshman Andrew McClure, who spearheaded the project with the help of others.

Those less appreciative would either walk away or try to stir up some debate. Not surprisingly, a member of the Demosthenian debate society raised a few sharp questions, but the simple reply was that they were there to apologize, not to debate.

However, not all of the negative sentiment came from non-Christians. Some Catholics felt like the confessional booth mocked an essential part of their faith, and other Christians were uncomfortable with the approach.

This is not the first time students have assembled a confessional booth of this nature on a university campus. In fact, the idea was taken from a book named Blue Like Jazz: Non-religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller, in which he describes setting up the booth on the campus of Reed College in Portland, Oregon. Like Miller, McClure hoped the booth would open up discussion and dialogue about faith.

The students involved said that they became aware of both the sensitivity and great need for religious conversation on campus.

The booth began as a half-wrapped tent on the first day, but was simplified on the following days to just the sign. A group of 5 got the project started and group of 20 took turns manning the booth. They were there from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during April 15th – 17th.

The students clarified that they were not affiliated with any particular campus ministry.