FOCUS Focuses on the Truth About Sex

By Broadside Assistant Style Editor Nicole Ocran
Photo by Connect Mason Assistant Convergence Editor Grace Kendall

Sophomore math and philosophy major Mark Dundon, sophomore Ben Fleser and FOCUS missionary staff Kyle Ludvik have taken it upon themselves to document George Mason University’s take on sex and relationships.

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students in association with Catholic Campus Ministry will be presenting Chastity, the final installment of a three part series entitled Chastity, Sobriety & Excellence: The Big Three on Thursday, Feb. 28 at the St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel.

According to the event listed on Facebook, confession, the Rosary, Mass and dinner will precede the film, which will start at 6 p.m..

The documentary involves asking Mason students in the JC and SUB I questions such as, “What do you think are the limits of a healthy sexual dating relationship in college?”

So far, the filmmakers have been well received.

“It’s pretty scary for us though, for me personally, just going around and asking these questions of people because there’s a big fear of going out there and getting shut down, you know? But most of the time, it’s been pretty good so far,” Fleser said.

The debatable topic is central to the film, as Dundon said, “It’s a topic that if a student had a question about or was wondering, ‘Oh, what do my peers think?’ It’s not something you would go sit down in a classroom and be like, ‘Hey, what do you think about sex?’ And the fact that we’re kind of putting ourselves in a bit of an awkward situation asking people, it gives other students the opportunity to really see what people think.”

The opinions of the Mason community have been extremely varied, according to Ludvik who said, “A lot of the students have very ranged opinions from, ‘Consent’ or, ‘You can have sex if it’s long term,’ all the way to, ‘Well, you shouldn’t have sex at all.’ And as we go through all the questions, you can see a spark of something to where they all intrinsically know in their hearts that chastity is a virtue that they do want and they do know is truth to a degree.”

Along with interviews, footage of the Mason campus and the surrounding areas are going to be used to “[show] more than just what the students think, but what they’re surrounded by, the different fliers or art galleries or whatnot,” Ludvik said.

FOCUS emphasizes the fact that they are not out to preach or convert people, but seek to promote these values on campus and more importantly, establish friendships.

“[FOCUS promotes] especially to most students these days, that Christians are good, down-to-earth people,” Fleser said. “The world has a very distinct perception of what Christianity is and that’s just standing on a soapbox yelling at people. But really, I think FOCUS has helped in promoting that idea that Christianity is just about establishing relationships with people and being friends, rather than just force-feeding [beliefs].”

The interview process has been a learning experience, for all three involved, and according to Ludvik, students seem to be looking for answers, too.

“There are people that respect the virtue of chastity,” Ludvik said, “and then there are a few students who we’ve talked to who felt that they were trying to live out chastity, but they feel alone. And the coolest thing I think, is that they aren’t, and there’s a whole bunch of other students who are trying to do the same thing.”

The encounters with students have been memorable.

“Getting honest, open answers from people has been really fun and a great experience for me,” Fleser said. “Just the whole process has been awesome.”