By SONJA BARISIC, Associated Press Writer Sat Feb 3, 3:39 PM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070203/ap_on_re_us/college_cross
What I notice in this article is that everyone apparently, wants the chapel to remain being referred to as a “chapel”. It is referred to as a “sacred space” meaningful to students, alumni, faculty and staff of the public school who use it for religious services and secular events. Frankly, I don’t understand what is meant by “unadorned”. A simple definition for this word is: Without adornment or embellishment; simple or plain. Is it meant to describe the brass Cross or to diminish its importance?
Maybe a way for those to better understand the importance of this Cross or this chapel would be a movement that seeks to take down all of the American flags across the country because there are those who reside in this country that are offended by its presence in public view. Due to the negative experiences they went through in the country in which they immigrated from.
My question is what is the difference? To the majority of people who call themselves American citizens consider the Cross of Christ as American as the American Flag. Why doesn’t the writer of this article take a survey, “for herself”, and find out public opinion, not political opinion.
What I believe is a bunch of followers, not true leaders, doing what has become the popular thing to do. How can you remove something that has stood for over 66 years in this chapel, which was built over three centuries ago with the intention of being a chapel? What do you expect to find in a chapel, except a Cross? I’m surprised to find there obviously is only one Cross. Who knows, is it because the Cross it is placed on the alter? The traditional place where repentance and forgiveness takes place, as a meeting place between God and man.
I doubt that Mr. Gene R. Nichol is even 66 years old. If he is, I am surprised that a seasoned man of that age wouldn’t have a deeper root in what the college he runs stands for. I’m sure it wasn’t started to teach its students secular humanism. Don’t we have a responsibility to the founders of this college to maintain some sort of dedication to what was originally intended? Or maybe that is old fashioned, and out dated for today.
To those of other religions, or beliefs, who don’t embrace the Christian values and traditions. I would suggest that you might look into another location that is free of those American traditions dating back many centuries. There you can create a sacred space to think in the quiet, without offending anyone or trampling underfoot traditions that have stood much longer than you have been alive.
R. William Collier
mindworthy.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 4, 2007
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