The words “I agree with Markwell” have been popping up all around campus on sidewalks, shirts, and street sings. They have also been confusing students along the way. 

The “I agree with Markwell” campaign is Northwestern’s contribution to a national Cru, Campus Crusade for Christ, campaign. It was started by McCormick Senior Matthew Markwell and describes his relationship with God.

Markwell’s recent comments in a North by Northwestern article sparked heated conversation online. One student blog in particular got a lot of discussion.

“On that day I think I brok my page view record on my block by I think about 200 percent,” said GET NAME!!!

The blog is in response to Cru leader Matthew Markwell’s quotes in North by Northwestern.

He said, “When I see people here at Northwestern who don’t believe in God, I see them as lost.”

The remark angered some non-Christian students, but campus Minister Julie Windsor-Mitchell said Cru doesn’t necessarily represent the beliefs of all NU Christians.

“I don’t think that non-Christian people are lost. I think that there are many, many different ways of faith and religious tradition,” said Windsor-Mitchell.

Miriam Mogilevsky was raised in the Jewish tradition. She said the campaign ignored religious differences. It was offensive to Mogilevsky because she felt they were trying to convert the student body to Christianity. She wrote an open letter to Markwell on her blog.

“We had those comments about how we're all lost and the most loving thing you can do is teach us about the love of Jesus and that's when I saw that, that's when I was like no,” said Mogilevsky.

Both Mogilevsky and Windsor-Mitchell said although they may have disagreed with some of Markwell’s quotes, the message had good intentions.

Mogilevsky said about the campaign, “it's effective. It's interesting. I think it got people talking. I think it's great in that way.”

 Windsor-Mitchell agreed with Mogilevsky saying, “it's been positive in that it's sparked some very interesting conversations about faith.”

Cru wants to continue that conversation and has invited students along with UCM to events later this week.

“One of our goals simply is to create a space for that, a face to face space,” Windsor-Mitchell said.

For more information go to:

Miriam's Blog: http://miriammogilevsky.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/were-not-lost-an-open-letter-to-campus-crusade-for-christ/

IAgreeWithMarkwell Site: http://iagreewithmarkwell.com/

CRU Meeting Event "I Agree with Markwell Real Life": https://www.facebook.com/events/213326832111865/

UCM home page: www.ucmnorthwestern.org