Thursday, February 12, 2009
Not all of them, but some...the 'offensive' symbol is going back up on the walls. Well creepin' Christ on a cro...what do they expect? Helloooo...Jesuits? Is this thing on? Boston College in the crosshairs
Outrage over crucifixes hung in classrooms
Some Boston College professors and students are raising a holy ruckus over the Catholic school's 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 don't think it's appropriate. You can't turn it around," said biology professor Dan Kirschner, faculty adviser for BC's chapter of Hillel, a Jewish student group. "I think it is being insensitive to the people of other faith traditions here."
Amir Hoveyda, head of BC's chemistry department, blasted the school in an e-mail to the Herald for "not being interested in an exchange with its faculty members."
In an interview with the college newspaper, The Observer, which broke the story, Hoveyda described the crucifixes as "offensive" and the university's actions as "anti-intellectual."
"I can hardly imagine a more effective way to denigrate the faculty of an educational institution," he is quoted as saying. "The insult is particularly scathing, since such symbols were installed without discussion . . . in a disturbingly surreptitious manner."
BC spokesman Jack Dunn said college President Rev. William P. Leahy decided to install crucifixes in the university's 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...
Symbol of Intellectual Horror and Offense
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For once here's one of those circular emails that says Snopes confirms it that's at least mostly correct. The story behind Irena Sendler's deeds can't be told enough. Here is the email [h/t to Phil for forwarding it.]: A Lady... Read More
As a Jew, I see nothing wrong with this statement. They are and always have been a Catholic university. Aren't there crosses in St. Joseph or St. Francis hospitals?
Wouldn't it be nice if Brandeis had mezzuzot on each doorway? *sigh*
But then, Jews (OK, liberal Jews, but then I repeat myself) seem to have forgotten their own pride of self and of their heritage.
Hey Jew! Yeah, you, over there! Yeah, you. The one reading this silly comment. It's OK to stand firm for yourself and your beliefs and to act on them.
Certainly BC has a right to put in these crosses, but I would definitely find them disconcerting, much like I did when I visited Notre Dame (even my hotel room had one!).
As a Jew, I would exercise my freedom to avoid BC classrooms if they had a cross (assuming I was not a faculty member or student there).
A few years back, a volunteer organization to which I belonged had a weekend retreat. It was held at a converted convent; the rooms were spartan, but comfortable enough -- and yes, each room had a crucifix on the wall.
Our organization's president, a Jew like myself, made mention of that later: "When I checked into my room, I saw the crucifix on the wall... and I was glad to know that I'd be sharing my room with another Jewish guy."
You can approach these things with common sense and humor, or not. Hint: the former approach is more fun; the latter approach makes you look ridiculous. It's your choice.
respectfully,
Daniel in Brookline
AT, why would you have to avoid BC classrooms if you weren't a faculty member or a student? What other reason (aside from perhaps a guest?) would you be there? If you're one of the first two, you'd know - from freely choosing to attend or work there - that it's a Catholic institution and therefore there's most likely a preponderance of Christian symbols; and if you're a guest, how could you avoid the classrooms without being rude to your host?
I like Daniel's example. Humor works wonders.