Are
All Faiths Welcome at Central Wyoming College?
by
Pieter Crow I make the case for a level playing field: all viewpoints and all faiths should have opportunity to be heard. Why? Because CWC is an institution of higher education, a place where people should be exposed to different ideas. A place where diverse views ought to be discussed, questioned, denied, affirmed. Let me state it this way: the way to welcome everyone at CWC is to welcome them to share their deepest beliefs, be they religious or secular. Has CWC always welcomed all faiths? No, not in my experience. However, opportunities allowing faith to be expressed outnumber the occasional lapse. That's a reasonable starting point for growing a vibrant campus community. What obstructions exist to welcoming all faiths? Here are three. 1. Secularization theory That's the idea that religion should play no role in the institutions of the state and the public affairs of the citizens. It would separate out religious ideas and expression to private life. But many faiths are all-encompassing worldviews, probing the deepest questions of origin, meaning, morality and destiny. Secularization theory would have the most profound aspects of a person's being dropped and denied at the entrance to the college. CWC has made a promise and should keep it: to prepare students for a diverse and global community. Secularization moves us further away from that goal; exposure to religious pluralism moves us closer to it. 2. Immaturity Are members of the CWC community too immature to discuss religious ideas? I have heard that view expressed on campus, and there may be an element of truth to it. However, I cannot imagine any leader in higher education who would say this is a desirable state of affairs. We should seek ways to grow as a community. We should model and teach the ability to listen, interact, and disagree respectfully. 3. Living with difference How shall
we live with our deepest differences? Os Guinness, author and cultural
critic, suggests this may be the most profound question facing humanity
in the 21st century. We may find common ground among various religions
and philosophies, but that only goes so far. Atheism and theism disagree
at the most basic level of ultimate reality. The world's largest religions,
Christianity and Islam, overlap in some areas but on central points are
irreconcilable. To say otherwise is to disrespect the integrity of their
sacred writings. Living with difference is an urgent concern that deserves
our best efforts. We can start with the example of the CWC administration. Current and recent administrators represent varied faith traditions, including Methodist, Mormon, Muslim, and Roman Catholic. As one of them told me, they discuss religion among themselves and agree to disagree. Then they put differences aside, joining ranks for the benefit of students and the future of the college community. We can start with biblical ethics. As the Creator has given to us, we have many gifts to give to one another. The life of Jesus demonstrates the value of questioning, an essential component of education. Human beings may hurt one another in word and deed but wounds have no final authority. Mercy and forgiveness possess greater power than the depth of broken relationships; they hold the key to reconciling neighbors and enemies. Central Wyoming College has committed itself in writing to a mission and a vision, to values and responsibilities. It is time for the college to live up to them and to honor religious freedom for all. The CWC
campus, like all places of higher learning, should be the ultimate level
playing field. A place where all viewpoints and faiths may be heard. |
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