Boston College in the crosshairs: Outrage over crucifixes hung in classrooms
Some Boston College professors and students are raising a holyruckus over the Catholic schools return to its religious roots by hanging crucifixes in all its classrooms, calling the move offensive and a break from the Jesuit tradition of tolerance. There is no choice if you dont think its appropriate. You cant turn it around, said biology professor Dan Kirschner, faculty adviser for BCs chapter of Hillel, a Jewish student group. I think it is being insensitive to the people of other faith traditions here.
BC spokesman Jack Dunn said college President Rev. William P. Leahy decided to install crucifix es in the universitys 151 classrooms as a means of reconnecting the school with its Catholic mission. As a Catholic university, we view the crucifix as a sacred symbol and its placement reflects our commitment to our religious heritage. We hope that those who do not share our faith tradition can respect our intentions, he said. The display of crucifixes - some of them hand-carved works brought back by students from volunteer missions overseas - is an outgrowth of the colleges Committee on Christian Art, formed in 2002 to promote Christian artworks on campus..
IMHO - This is insanity, everyone knows it's a Catholic school. Jesuit or not, they have a right to hang crucifixes, pictures of the madonna and child etc., etc. Anybody that is surprised by that is stupid. Anyone that doesn't like it, staff or student can leave.
Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that this 145 year old Catholic school has an active Hillel group? If I attended Yeshiva University I would expect to see Stars of David on the walls and mezuzzahs in every door way. Even if they weren't there the first week or even first year of my studies I wouldn't be shocked or upset when they were added. Then again I have good sense.
If some faculty or students feel this violates the separation of church and state then perhaps they should have attended a state school rather than a religious one. :duh:
FWIW: I am not now, nor have I ever been a Catholic.
Some Boston College professors and students are raising a holyruckus over the Catholic schools return to its religious roots by hanging crucifixes in all its classrooms, calling the move offensive and a break from the Jesuit tradition of tolerance. There is no choice if you dont think its appropriate. You cant turn it around, said biology professor Dan Kirschner, faculty adviser for BCs chapter of Hillel, a Jewish student group. I think it is being insensitive to the people of other faith traditions here.
BC spokesman Jack Dunn said college President Rev. William P. Leahy decided to install crucifix es in the universitys 151 classrooms as a means of reconnecting the school with its Catholic mission. As a Catholic university, we view the crucifix as a sacred symbol and its placement reflects our commitment to our religious heritage. We hope that those who do not share our faith tradition can respect our intentions, he said. The display of crucifixes - some of them hand-carved works brought back by students from volunteer missions overseas - is an outgrowth of the colleges Committee on Christian Art, formed in 2002 to promote Christian artworks on campus..
IMHO - This is insanity, everyone knows it's a Catholic school. Jesuit or not, they have a right to hang crucifixes, pictures of the madonna and child etc., etc. Anybody that is surprised by that is stupid. Anyone that doesn't like it, staff or student can leave.
Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that this 145 year old Catholic school has an active Hillel group? If I attended Yeshiva University I would expect to see Stars of David on the walls and mezuzzahs in every door way. Even if they weren't there the first week or even first year of my studies I wouldn't be shocked or upset when they were added. Then again I have good sense.
If some faculty or students feel this violates the separation of church and state then perhaps they should have attended a state school rather than a religious one.
:duh:FWIW: I am not now, nor have I ever been a Catholic.
