Campus Crusade for Christ changes name, drops "Crusade" and "Christ"

[LAGC]

A popular international ministry's decision to change its name from Campus Crusade for Christ to simply Cru has sparked criticism and a debate about the reasoning behind the change.

Critics are accusing the 60-year-old ministry of giving in to political correctness in a ploy to attract more supporters and donors, but the people behind the name change say that politics had nothing to do with the decision.
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Sellers said there were two principal problems with the current name. He said the first was that crusade has developed an increasingly negative connotation that seems warlike and gives and impression of forcing Christianity on people.

"We believe Jesus is the most attractive person in history, so we don't need to force him on people," Sellers said. The second reason was that the inclusion of the word "campus" limited the ministry's broad reach. While their campus programs are their most well-known and largest branch, they also work with business leaders, church leaders and foreign countries in evangelism.

As far as the removal of the word "Christ," the ministry's website said, "Cru enables us to have discussions about Christ with people who might initially be turned off by a more overtly Christian name. We believe that our interaction and our communication with the world will be what ultimately honors and glorifies Christ."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/campus-crusade-christ-losing-christ-crusade/story?id=14136976

"Cru" -- now that almost sounds hip and cool. I'm sure they'll be winning over plenty of converts with that one... :rofl:

[checks-n-balances]

1. Sounds like a joke or satire article

[KansDem]

2. It sounds like a sound an animal makes!

"Cru, cru sounded the birds as dawn broke over the forest..."

:rofl:

[Blue Owl]

3. I think they shoulda went with "Cifix"

Sounds a bit more corporate-nation, IMO.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Hiding their product with initials like KFC, Mickie Dees, BK, etc.

[edhopper]

5. So in keeping with the teachings

of Christ, the want to trick people???

[laconicsax]

6. I believe Helen and Adonis have better claims to being "the most attractive person in history"

Helen's beauty launched 5000 ships and Adonis' captivated Aphrodite.

On a side note: While I was in college, a couple friends and I started putting together an application to start the "Jihad for Allah" club but were persuaded not to follow through.

[dimbear]

7. Since that's French for wine region, might draw in some gourmets.

The science of naming things--an international art.

[onager]

8. Ha! Look at who's one of their traveling sales reps!

From the Wikipedia article on the (s)Cru:

In 1964, Josh McDowell became a traveling representative of Campus Crusade for Christ International addressing campus groups about the Christian faith. Over the years his ministry has focused on Christian apologetics, youth issues such as relationships and sexuality, and international humanitarian aid.

For those who've been lucky enough to avoid Josh McDowell - he's lousy at apologetics and an even worse writer. A big chunk of his work is stolen directly from another overrated Xian hack, C.S. Lewis. AFAIK, McDowell hasn't attempted fiction, and if a god existed, I would thank It for that.

The Wiki article has lots of other fun stuff, most of it obviously lifted directly from butt-kissing advertising/PR material.

Now I know where the idea originated for the hilarious movie "...And God Spoke:" The "Bright" mentioned in the article is (s)Cru founder, Bill "Notso" Bright:

Hollywood producer John Heyman approached Bright to fund a project to put the entire Bible on film. The project would eventually be scaled back to just one book of the Bible, the Gospel of Luke, and be financed primarily by Campus Crusade supporters Bunker and Caroline Hunt for a sum of $6 million.

The name "Bunker Hunt" should be familiar - he's the crazy-ass John Bircher in Texas, who lost a big chunk of his fortune trying to corner the silver market. But remember, if we just keep cutting taxes for these crazy rich people, they will create jobs for us! Oh, and praying to Baby Jeebus...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_Crusade_for_Christ

[Ron Goetz]

The Right to Name Yourself

My parents were community organizers in a housing project when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s. I remember the transition from colored to black to Afro-American to African-American. As a kid I didn't understand the need for so many changes, but it wasn't for me to tell African-Americans what they should be called.

Some people thought the NAACP should change their name, maybe to the NAABP, or the NAAAAP. But they didn't.

Some people want to be called Hispanic, some Latino, some Chicano, some Mexican. Same thing applies.

I understand the decision to take "Crusade" out of their name--that's a no-brainer for me.

Taking "Christ" out of their name? I may disagree (Luke 9:26), but again, it's their decision.

[Ron Goetz]

9. The Right to Name Yourself

My parents were community organizers in a housing project when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s. I remember the transition from colored to black to Afro-American to African-American. As a kid I didn't understand the need for so many changes, but it wasn't for me to tell African-Americans what they should be called.

Some people thought the NAACP should change their name, maybe to the NAABP, or the NAAAAP. But they didn't.

Some people want to be called Hispanic, some Latino, some Chicano, some Mexican. Same thing applies.

I understand the decision to take "Crusade" out of their name--that's a no-brainer for me.

Taking "Christ" out of their name? I may disagree (Luke 9:26), but again, it's their decision.