FRANK TUREK VISITS CMU

Christian apologist lectured at University Center last week

John Leet, Accuracy Manager • April 3, 2026

Frank Turek presents his speech called “If God, Why Evil?” to the University Center Ballroom on March 24. Turek seeks to defend Christianity with logic arguments and was a close friend to Charlie Kirk, who he quoted a few times throughout the event.

CMU’s Ratio Christi hosted Christian apologist Frank Turek, who defends Christianity using the tenets of logic. Turek spoke to CMU students and the general public at the University Center on Tuesday, March 24. Hundreds of students and locals filled the ballroom for a night of discussion about faith, belief and meaning. The theme of the event tried to answer one of Christianity’s oldest and hardest questions: “if God is good, why does evil exist?”

The University Center ballroom with about 500-600 students and community members attending Turek’s talk. The number was estimated by the present Criterion staff. //Teagan Meens for The Criterion

Ratio Christi member Julie Brown hoped the event would show that difficult questions about faith can be discussed openly. Brown assists with mentoring and bible studies.

“What’s important to me about this event is that life’s questions can be answered,” Brown said. “We need to learn how to speak about those things without being offended, angry and yelling at one another. We just need to be able to have civil discourse about the answers to life.”

Ratio Christi invited ancillary CMU clubs and local churches to the event to promote their beliefs and ideals.

Pastor of CMU’s Together in Life church (TNL) Brandon Akins attended.

“I’ve been really impressed about how many different clubs have been participating together to pull this event off,” Akins said. “I haven’t seen something like this happen in maybe ten years.”

Turek argued that the existence of evil did not disprove the existence of God. Turek framed suffering as part of a broader Christian understanding of the world. His stance is that God allows evil because free will makes love and moral choice possible. Turek believes suffering creates purpose and meaning, drawing people toward God.

Attendees stand in the queue to ask Turek questions. The question-and-answer period lasted over an hour as many attendees asked different about interpreting bible verses, advice for evangelizing to friends and clarity on parts of Turek’s speech. //Teagan Meens for The Criterion

Students and organizers wanted the event to create a space for civil discourse and honest questions, rather than deliver a lecture. Parker Stone, a junior business major involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), said that the “format was part of what made the event meaningful.”

“This event preaches the gospel in a way that allows people to ask questions,” Stone said. “We want everyone’s voice to be heard.”

Ratio Christi’s significance is more than just hosting Frank Turek for other students. Freshman music and liberal arts major Analise Robinson said joining the group helped her more seriously examine her beliefs while giving her a sense of community on campus. Robinson said she was drawn to Ratio Christi because it encouraged her to think deeply about why she believes what she believes and whether those beliefs are reasonable.

“All the friends I made in my first weeks coming to CMU was through Ratio Christi,” Robinson said.

She moved to Grand Junction from her hometown in Rifle, Colorado.

“It was really easy to fit into the community. Coming in [to CMU], I didn’t know anyone on campus. Having a community like Ratio Christi was really helpful for me,” Robinson said.

The event served both as a public talk on Christian apologetics and a gathering point for students looking for religious discussion and community on campus. Organizers said they hoped students would leave with responses to some of life’s difficult questions, and more confidence to ask those questions openly.

Turek’s speech, “If God, Why Evil?”, reached both an in-person audience and was live-streamed on the Cross Examined YouTube channel. Security personnel and a photographer/videographer for Turek were also present in the room. The Criterion was told Turek had a no camera policy but phones were permitted. Photos were captured with a phone at the recommendation of Student Life. //Teagan Meens for The Criterion

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