I just sat there, trying to imagine such a grotesque holiday: Unofficial St. Patrick's Day, pride of the University of Illinois. So, the facts are these: In 1996, bar owner Scott Cochrane, created this holiday to increase his profit. St. Patrick's Day normally falls over the university's spring break, so bars are hurt when students go home. By creating a new "holiday," bars were gaining as much money as possible. I've heard that the campus population doubles, due to a terrible migration of college students coming to U of I. In past years, bars opened as early as 7:00 am and heavy drinking continued through the entire weekend. In 2007 police fines during this weekend totaled $44,000. In 2006, a graduate student fell off a moving motorcycle and died.
I must say, this entire week as been leading up to Unofficial weekend. In every class I hear murmurs and excited whispers about how this weekend is one where they can get "smashed" and "wasted." I am disgusted and saddened at the same time. Disgusted at the bar owners, encouraging drunkenness so that they could make more money. And extremely saddened to see the profound emptiness surrounding me. My classmates and some friends are desperately empty, seeking fulfillment and momentary pleasure over the weekend. It hurts to think about how many will suffer from alcohol poisoning, rape, battery, etc.
The Christian organizations on campuses in the past have held 24 hour prayer rooms so that Christians could come together and lift this campus up to Jesus. Others have hosted water tables, attempting to prevent dehydration and share the love of Jesus to those in drunken stupor.
Be lifting up this campus in your prayers this weekend. May some hit rock bottom and turn to Jesus. May God in his mercy forgive the flood of sins soaking this campus. May Christians be emboldened to take a stand and love others courageously, whether than includes handing out water, holding back hair while comforting those throwing up, or simply sharing the Gospel.
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