What do you think? Exclude faiths or include them all?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070203/ap_on_re_us/college_cross_2
2007-02-04 01:14:05 · 21 answers · asked by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It was not an atheist that removed the cross -- read the article.
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2007-02-04 01:21:48 · update #1
Each group who has members with different symbols should be able to put their symbols up when its their turn and then take them down for a non-denominational setting in the middle times.
Just my proposal.
2007-02-04 01:18:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
My first question: Is the symbol of the Cross found anywhere else on campus?
My second question: Is student orientation a religious function?
You have a Christian school that became public, does that mean the Christian values should/could be changed?
Answer: If there are other Christian symbols found on campus, the cross stays. If the chapel is used for non religious services, the cross should be removed and placed back when there is a Christian service. The principle is simple, you don't decorate the Christmas tree with Easter bunnies.
One last thing, God existed before He created everything you can observe. This means everything. The chapel is for man's benefit not God's. So what ever man needs should be put there. As for your Israel student, placing a Torah in the chapel would not help his situation. Torahs have synagogues.
2007-02-04 09:38:38 · answer #2 · answered by J. 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No, the cross should not be removed. Why would you think that it should?
If there were a menorah there, it should not be removed, either. The same holds true for an Islamic symbol.
We need to get away from this political correctness that the idea of a religious symbol might offend someone. If he or she is offended, that too bad. The First Amendment guarantees the right to freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. I don't know why I have to explain this.
It is called the free exercise of religion. You can practice your faith anytime and anywhere you wish. It is not the freedom from seeing religious practices or emblems that you do not agree with. Why are people unable to think? Why do they listen to the political correctness Nazis?
I find political correctness offensive. How about you?
2007-02-04 11:06:01 · answer #3 · answered by iraqisax 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I did read the article, and I have to say that I can understand the
College's point of view on wanting students of all faiths to feel welcome.
The Cross for Christians is really a symbol, abeit an important one; but I would be open to removing it if it allowed more students and faculty to come in and pray or meditiate.
Many other places such as hospital chapels and non-denominational churches don't have Crosses present. This gives the immediate impression that anyone is welcome. I wouldn't be offended.
2007-02-04 09:47:07 · answer #4 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It says that it can be replaced by request. I don't see an issue with that.
Being free of any specific religious symbol does reflect an open quality, and as there are many students of many faiths there, it seems to be a logical move on the part of the school to want to be more inclusive by offering a space that is generic in appearance and allows for anyone to use that space for meditation and prayer.
I think if they started adding all symbols, the place would clutter up quickly and it would not allow any room for anyone to visit. Rather, the absence of any symbol allows students to fill in their own spiritual needs.
A very inclusive move on the part of the school, and they should be applauded for their step forward.
2007-02-04 09:35:30 · answer #5 · answered by Boudica 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The cross is a symbol of torture and death designed to terrify the dissenters of the Roman empire from rabble rousing and other types of defiance, both political and religious, of the Emperor. It is a tasteless symbol for a sanctuary and out of context given the state of the Roman empire today.
2007-02-04 09:30:02 · answer #6 · answered by voodooprankster 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a public university why do they even have a chapel. I'm sure there are churches, synagogues and temples in town, let them go there. Don't just remove the cross, convert that space into something that is actually useful.
2007-02-04 09:45:55 · answer #7 · answered by Murazor 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The United States of America was a country founded and created by Christian men and women. Taking away the cross or removing it would show dishonor to God. Adding emblems of other faiths is just proof we are headed to a One World Religion in the near future. This is how the Antichrist begins his reign for 7 years in our world. I hope you understand that, and if you don't now that someday you will. If you want to know more about God email me at tchrben@verizon.net
2007-02-04 09:22:16 · answer #8 · answered by seattlesonicsnumberone 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
If your child was shot and killed and seen as a hero for millions would you want people to wear bullets around their necks?
Cross: The device on which Jesus
Christ was executed is referred to by most religions as a cross. The expression is drawn from the Latin crux.
1cor.10:14: "My beloved ones, flee from idolatry."
ex.20:4,5: " You should not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in the heaven or on the earth beneath the waters under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them" .
2007-02-04 09:35:45 · answer #9 · answered by Vivimos en los Ultimos Dias 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Either give them all equal place of preference, or have none at all. The latter is much easier, by the way... A cross above an altar is obviously a place of prominence and therefore suggests Christianity is first and foremost. That makes people of other faiths feel less welcome.
2007-02-04 09:27:02 · answer #10 · answered by katinka hesselink 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋