This happened here recently. A college (built by Anglican Christians) had a chapel (Anglican) and an old cross that has been part of it since the beginning. Old school, old chapel, old cross. The chapel (a CHRISTIAN chapel) was forced to remove the cross because non-Christian students who used the chapel were offended by it sitting on the alter. The cross was only maybe two feet high, very plain, not a cruisifix. But they were offended by seeing a Christian artifact in a Christian chapel, donated many years ago by Christians. The chapel offers non-Christian services and is open to all students, no matter their religion
Now, doesn't that seem silly. Had the school been built by Jews, with a small Jewish Synagauge, offering non-Jewish services and opened up to non-Jewish students, would said students have a right to complain and demand a change in decor because they aren't Jewish? Why then is it ok to demand a change in decore and the removal of an old artifact from a Christian chapel
2007-01-12 00:16:44 · 10 answers · asked by sister steph 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
According to the artical I read this in, the school had to fight (yes, fight!) just to get the cross put back up for Sundays only. The students who complained didn't want it shown ever again.
2007-01-12 00:30:25 · update #1
I don't have a link to the artical. I saw it in my newspaper the other night.
2007-01-12 00:54:02 · update #2
Actually, it was the president of the college, Gene Nichol, who demanded it be removed. Mr. Nichol stated he "wanted to make the chapel welcoming to students of all faiths." Under pressure, he agreed that the 18-inch cross may be brought out during church services.
Frankly, I hope the Board of Directors removes him. A chapel is place of worship, not a civic center.
EDIT: "Gazoo," your argument is flawed and quite intolerant. It's a CHAPEL, get over it!
2007-01-12 00:38:45 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to cite an article as the basis for your argument, you need to provide a link to that article so we can judge the content for ourselves.
If the school receives public funds then prominently displaying a religious icon could be seen as an endorsement of one particular faith by the state, which is a constitutional no-no.
It wouldn't matter if the chapel was built by aliens or that the cross had been there since the big bang! The state cannot endorse a religion. If the school is publicly funded with taxpayer dollars then I say no. If it's a private school and receives no taxpayer monies then I say it is unfounded and the students don't have a legal leg to stand on in their demand to remove the icon.
2007-01-12 08:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right, this is going too far. They knew they were using a christian chapel, they should expect some christian symbols to be hanging around!
2007-01-12 08:24:16 · answer #3 · answered by Jessy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that the Cross should have been removed. This is a school of choice. If they didn't like the way things were find another school that fits your religious beliefs. I don't think that Americans should hide their religion and symbols of their religion just because these imigrants are comming over and don't like the symbols or the religion. That is why this country is so great it was founded for freedom of religion.
2007-01-12 08:25:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Isn't it strange how the non Christians want Christian relics, artifacts, symbols anything Christian removed from the planet? Makes me think "they fear our Lord" and what a shame that is, because God is so loving and all forgiving.
2007-01-12 08:28:18 · answer #5 · answered by meemadee2000 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So bring it out for the Christian services and take it away for the others. If it is really so small and insignificant, that ought to be easy to do.
And the chapel belongs to the SCHOOL so it isn't a "Christian" chapel. This type of insistence that you guys own everything is precisely what causes others to not like you.
2007-01-12 08:23:01 · answer #6 · answered by Alex 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Well I think that's rude
Since the college is place is christian, the cross should stay, or the students leave!
It's unfair!
2007-01-12 08:26:54 · answer #7 · answered by Zsazsa A 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This school would not happen to have become publicly funded before they were forced to remove the cross?
Separation of Church and State and all...
and if that's so then yes the Synagogue probably would have a similar occurrence...
2007-01-12 08:25:14 · answer #8 · answered by so tired of this 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Its not fair but at the same time if you are a christian you should expect that and much more to come from the world.
2007-01-12 08:27:14 · answer #9 · answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"When the light entered the world people chose darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil and they did not want to come to the light because they did not want to become exposed...." does it sound familiar?
This is why I'm not at all amazed humans are still the same.
2007-01-12 08:26:04 · answer #10 · answered by carl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋