Posted on 10/29/2006 9:15:45 AM PST by Mount Athos
Officials at the College of William and Mary have removed a 2-foot-high gold cross from a campus chapel they say is increasingly used for nonreligious events.
"In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space, and to make it more welcoming to students, faculty, staff and visitors of all faiths, the cross has been removed from the altar area," read a recent e-mail to Wren Building employees.
The e-mail came from Melissa Engimann, assistant director for historic campus, according to The Flat Hat college newspaper Web site.
The chapel is in the Sir Christopher Wren Building, which was finished in 1699 and is used for some of the school's biggest ceremonies. Incoming freshmen take the honor pledge in the chapel during orientation, and seniors march through it on their way to commencement.
With so many of the chapel's functions not related to religion, administrators said they felt it was time to make the building more inclusive.
In an e-mail to the college community Friday, William and Mary President Gene R. Nichol said:
"Questions have lately been raised about the use of the Wren Chapel and the cross that is sometimes displayed there.
"Let me be clear. I have not banished the cross from the Wren Chapel. The chapel, as you know, is used for religious ceremonies by members of all faiths. The cross will remain in the chapel and be displayed on the altar at appropriate religious services.
"But the chapel is also used frequently for college events that are secular in nature -- and should be open to students and staff of all beliefs. Whether celebrating our happiest moments, marking our greatest achievements, or finding solace during our most profound sadness, our chapel, like our entire campus, must be welcoming to all.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesdispatch.com ...
Welcome to Sandra Days 1st day on the job.
And I thought that turd was bad at Miami.
My daughter has been considering applying to W&M with my approval. Perhaps I should reconsider.
Not only that, but they'll be the ones breaking the glass.
Ping
"Hey wheres that old cross?, Darn its dusty in this closet..wow.. look at that thing!..scarey...yeah it use to symbolize their religion..geez..hey we have to go, its time to submit and bray to Mecca again...thank Allah we have this old room they use to call a chapel to use for our prayer rugs..geez these Christians were so soft...come Muhammed we but bray before Jihad."
I say we should eliminate the non-dischargability of student loans in bankrupcy.
Universities need REAL competition in the marketplace. They should not have guaranteed money.
***In early 1729, contractor Henry Cary Jr. laid the foundations for a chapel at the south end of the west wall, turning the building’s shape into a U. The first services were conducted on June 28, 1732. Thereafter services were held in the chapel daily. A crypt below became the final resting place of Governor Botetourt, Sir John Randolph, Peyton Randolph, and other Virginia notables. **
If this is the chapel under discussion it hasbeen used as a Chaple for almost 300 years more than likely with a cross on its altar and some modern idiot decides it shouldnt be there. WTF??
iT'S NO LONGER A CHAPEL THEN...IT'S A MEETING HALL....WORTHY OF NO RESPECT.
Guess the next logical step would be to demolish the chapel altogether, for its incorrect historical usage in non-inclusive religious ceremonies. They could replace it with something less offensive, like a cinder-block box with Islamic prayer mats on the floor.
Military chapels have been doing this for years. Not a problem. We would simply put up whatever items we wanted during our services.
" ... the chapel is also used frequently for college events that are secular in nature -- and should be open to students and staff of all beliefs ..."
What? So the chapel is closed when the cross is there?
So sick of these academics' endless lack of 'sensitivity' towards the American majority while bending over backwards for 'diversity.'
They start the game by insisting that their enrollment be 'diverse,' so admit students because they've checked a certain ethnic box on their college application, then (amazingly !) they achieve X% of that ethnic group on campus. That ethnic group then is offended by a tradition of 300 years' standing. And we just can't offend anyone now, can we?
Can't we say the cross is 'historical' v. 'religious' and just leave it alone? When does the bending over backwards end?
It's a very expensive and quite elite. Much like the Ivies. It is also one of the most PC campuses in America. Professors pride themselves on their moral relativism.
Some see this as the future. Glad I won't live to see it.
The future will worship the new religion of nothing.
There will be no symbols so noone is offended in any way.
There will be no philosophy or morals of any kind so noone is offended in any way.
There will be no meeting places, formerly called churches, so noone is offended in any way.
There will be absolutely no mention of it anywhere so noone is offended in any way.
The church of the future is forming now and accepting members.
It's called the ACLU.
In the interest of antifaith-specificness, the name should have the word Chapel removed from it.
How's about "Wren Secular Meeting Place?"
"My daughter has been considering applying to W&M with my approval. Perhaps I should reconsider."
One of my 4 daughters is considering the same.
I am a bit confused. Before I make judgement I need some help trying to understand because it seems they are all over the place with reasons(or it could just be me).
Which of these is what they are saying:
1. The chapel is used for other events besides religious events so they took the cross down
or
2. They want to attack all people of faith with different religious beliefs, in which some would be offended if a Christian Cross was always hanging.
If it is #1
Why not have those events in another building (not the chapel)
If it is #2
Are they planning to have all kinds of services for different faiths? Will they display the symbols of those different faiths during the services?
Thanks for any help all.
It's not expensive for Virginians. It's one of our state schools. :)
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