Illusionist adds faith

Jim Munroe entertained students with a performance of illusions that involved levitation and knives titled "Maze" Tuesday night in Ritsche Auditorium.

The illusionist appeared on stage gently swaying and waving at the audience, many of whom would become his assistants throughout the performance.

Most of Munroe's volunteers appeared to be chosen at random by catching a white ball he threw from the stage.

Munroe's first illusion began with a simple piece of thread, which he seemingly swallowed. After a cameraperson and audience member checked his mouth to make sure the thread was not seen, another volunteer was asked to examine his stomach.

On the left side of his stomach appeared a long string that seemed to be mostly buried inside his body. His audience volunteer held onto the end of the string as Munroe slowly backed away, seemingly allowing the string to be pulled out of his body.

First-year student Emily Morris said that the string illusion was one of her favorites.

"It was gross but awesome," Morris said.

Munroe seemed to disprove gravity with another illusion in which he appeared to make a metal tube levitate.

During this performance Munroe seemed to have complete control of the floating tube as his moved his hands around all sides to demonstrate no strings appeared to be used.

One of Munroe's illusions seemed potentially hazardous to his health and body.

Munroe performed a trick in which he placed his hand with his fingers spread out on a piece of wood. Using a knife, Munroe quickly stabbed between the spaces of his fingers.

After this was done successfully, he called upon a volunteer to wear a mask of black fabric and testify that she could not see anything. Munroe then placed the mask around his head and taped it around his neck.

The volunteer was then asked to place Munroe's hand back on the piece of wood.

"Put my hand inside the lines," Munroe said. "It's really, really important."

The illusion was performed successfully again while Munroe remained blindfolded.

Munroe's performance was based on illusions and deceptions, but his performance had a message of its own.

After many illusions Munroe stated that he is a Christian and the rest of the night would be spent talking about faith and Jesus.

Munroe said that he did not want to force his faith on anyone.

"I'm not doing what those dudes did outside," Munroe said referring to the religious speakers who preach and often read aloud from the Bible outside Stewart Hall.

At this time, a short intermission was given to allow anybody who did not want to attend the rest of the event to leave.

"I did not want to bait and switch anyone," Munroe said. "We had a break where I told everybody, 'You can go because I'm going to talk about my Christian faith.'"

Campus director of the group Campus Crusade for Christ Patrick Schleper also said he believes it is important to not force faith upon people or make them feel as if they are being attacked.

"We want to have mutual adult conversations with every student we can about the person of Jesus in a way that they feel like they have the opportunity to choose what they want," Schleper said.

After the break, Munroe continued to speak about his faith and beliefs which may differ from the beliefs of other Christians.

"I would love for people to leave with a fresh perspective of Christianity. I feel like parts of the Christian church are unformed. They're sick," Munroe said.

Munroe has been practicing magical illusions since he was 6 years old. He said that he believes magic is an opportunity for him to connect with a large group of people at once.

"I want to serve people-make them laugh, make them happy and then I happen to be a Christian, so I just want to share myself with them too," Munroe said.