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Williamsburg: Historic Cross Out, Sex Show In
Two years ago, College of William and Mary President, Gene Nichol, removed the two-foot cross from Wren Chapel because he said it could be offensive to non-Christians.
Now, the Washington Times (read article) has reported that Gene Nichol has allowed a "Sex Worker's Art Show," on campus which depicts both male and female strippers and prostitutes in various states of undress.
When asked, Nichol said, "I don't like the show, but it is not the practice of universities to censor or cancel performances because they are controversial."
This is troubling to many because it is one more clear cut example of anti-Christian bigotry and intolerance.
It is particularly troubling to our family in that my wife's family, the Ballards, provided the land for the William and Mary campus in a very generous land sale so construction could begin on America's second oldest college in 1695. (Click here to read story).
Thomas Ballard and his family were Christians and intended that the school be used for the education of America's young people. Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler and John Marshall all studied at William and Mary. In fact, George Washington was once Chancellor of the college.
The Ballard family, our Founders, and all who gave birth to this institution would be shocked if they knew what we know.
When we look at our historical heritages, it is alarming to see how far we have moved away from these founding ideals that made America the blessed and prosperous nation that we are.
I hope that these kinds of blatant anti-Christian acts will create outrage in good, decent, hardworking Americans. And the outrage will turn to activism.
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______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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21 Comments:
I fail to see how this is an example of anti-christian bigotrty, let alone a "cealr cut" example as Gary states. There is certianly no connection between the removal of the cross two years ago and the show this year, save both offend Gary. There is nothing anti-christian about the "Sex Worker's Art Show". The fact that it doesn't conform to conservative Christain mores, doesn't make it anti-Christian, and certianly doesn't make it bigotry by any strech of the imagination.
As for Gary's wives family, SO WHAT? They sold this land over 300 years ago, and as with any sale, they don't get a say in how the land is used post sale. They don't own it anymore! Besides, being land owners in Virignia in 1695 the Ballards most likely owned slaves, so why should we listen to the moral demands of people, who thought it was perfectly OK to own other human beings?
You missed the point. The cross was removed because it might offend someone who does not agree with the Christian faith. The sex show played on no matter who it offended. That's pretty clear cut.
Also, people who may have owned slaves are not making any demands, moral or other wise. They are dead.
No, the desndents of people who owned slaves are making demands based on the supposed wishes of their slave owning ancestors.
Yes, the cross is not GONE it is merely removed when the chapel is being used for universal spiritual or secular purposes. The cross is returned to its place for Christian functions.
Why would anyone want a public school building that is functionally used by a religiously diverse population want to have it always and only have the hallmark symbol of one religion as it's centerpiece?
Once again a situation where everyone gets their religious freedom is presented as 'anti-Christian' by the theocrats. Please explain how this is in anyway so?
Gary,
A couple of interesting points.
a. Did your wife's ancestors own slaves? I don't know, I am just wondering since we are considering ethical issues.
b. Can you confirm that the cross is permanently gone or only temporarily removed from time to time. I did not see anything about temporary removal in your blog - the sense was that the removal was permanent. Could you clarify this issue?
Thanks,
In Christ,
Human
Well to answer your question to Gary it used to be removable on request, now it is displayed upon request AND by default on Sunday.
It really is a non-issue - when everyone was a Christian sure it could be the default - that's just not true any more.
I think the new Sonic owner's donations $1.1 million donations to an anti-marriage equality group and the effect it will have on the chances of their requested arena being built would have been a better potboiler.
As usual, Gary & company claim anti-christian behavior and then give an innacurate example or two.
Ten seconds spent googling quickly exposes the lie.
With the truth always so close at hand on the internet, it's amazing that they use the internet to spread their misinformation. I guess the faithful just want their opinions reaffirmed and don't do any research.
We are always told not to judge, that we will know people by their actions. This shows the actions of a campus with double standards....no offense is allowed when it comes to things Christian. But it doesn't matter who is offended by the perverse.
Actually, Googling shows that the Wren chaple at William and Mary did remove the cross and did not return it.
This shows the actions of a campus with double standards....no offense is allowed when it comes to things Christian.
Of course this wasn't about offense but due consideration of every student's right to practice their own religion and not practice someone else's. The chapel was not used as just a Christian place of worship - it was for ecumenical services, for secular classes and performances, and other collegiate things. Respectfully removing the tokens of one religion when its use was secular or poly-religious is simple consideration to the people using the facility.
Conversely the art exhibit need not be viewed by anyone that doesn't want to - no class is required to view it, no activities other than the art exhibit itself are in it location.
Honestly you must see the difference in the situations, right?
Nichol decided that the old policy governing the display of the cross - it remained on display unless someone using the chapel asked that it be stored away - was no longer appropriate. He ordered that it should be removed from the altar and displayed only when requested.
Outrage followed, prompting Nichol to tweak the rules, so that the cross is now left out on Sundays. And, of course, it remains available for those who request it. Otherwise, it is stored in the chapel's sacristy, a practice that is perfectly common and acceptable at other places of worship.
You are obviously googling the wrong places...
Since when is being neutral on religion fair ?
Whats your defintion of fair ? What you like , What your lack of beliefs supports .
As if it bothers anyone when the Star of David is in a building with Jewish History ?
Maybe to David Duke .. Or folks like you ...
97 percent of the folks had no problem with the cross .
The fact that 3 percent or less because of insecurity , hatred , sexual preference or whatever feel they have to change the world so THEY can feel better is not neutral .
This post has been removed by the author.
Since when is being neutral on religion fair ?
Since the first amendment and everyone having a right to their own take on religion.
97 percent of the folks had no problem with the cross
Again, that wasn't the issue. If you have read the email from the Dean about his decision you know why he made it. Address the points he made his decision on not made up ones of your own agenda.
Just lurking here ,
Just an observation . I guess this blog is not an exchange of ideas or opinions . More like who can top the last insult .
I got a chuckle recently reading about an organization that brought suit against a school in Minnesota because of a Christmas Display. The Display was quite traditional but had the words Merry Christmas written on it , without regards to other Winter Holidays .
The silliness of it to me was it was in Saint Paul Minnesota .
Maybe the activists thought signs and maps were acceptable because Paul was part of the Beattles ,
No 12:21 it is not an exchange of ideas. It is a site dominated by one hostile and troubled man posting under several names, some Christian some occultic.
Anon 12:21
The reality is much of what you are saying is true. Some of the non-Christian activism is a bit over the top. I wouldn't be surprised if they themselves did not agree that it is not really very meaningful. The issue is that these same so-called "Christians" (Moral Majority, Religious Right - whatever) use every manner of perverse behavior to oppress peaceful human beings. Frankly, we have all had enough of this immorality and evil and are finally responding.
If those in the Religious Right would choose to leave peaceably with their neighbors as they are called to do, I think you would see a significant increase in the flexibility from the non-Christian community AND much more support for Christian artifacts. However, at this point the dissumulation by the Relgious Right is so great, I doubt they find the strait way in this generation. I suspecting they will have to die off like the Israelites whom Jehovah brought out of Egpyt and their children will be the ones who genuinely manifest Christ to the world. That is my hope.
Sincerely,
In Christ,
Human
There is no such thing as religion neutral. Oshtur likes to use that term as do other agnostics/atheists.
It really is a way to get their own religion in. Atheism is a belief that God does not exist, therefore, they try to get that into the government by calling that position religion neutral.
Then they force us to financially support their religion, by taxing us (as in the olden days under the Puritan method of taxing for the church) to support their ways of caring for people socially and spiritually. It is called welfare and social security.
See how far their religion is entwined in our government?
"PC is not in this pastor’s playbook, and in famously secular Seattle, his Mars Hill Church in Ballard is drawing thousands weekly. His message is fundamentalist Christian, his delivery system is pure alternative culture wired for sound." –Seattle Magazine
“Mars Hill has become an anomaly. With its sheer size and orthodox theology — far more conservative than most other emerging churches — it no longer fits neatly into that niche.” –Seattle Times
I find it very interesting that we self-proclaimed Christians who write in and express our opinions, find ourselves in need of being highly critical of what others think, no matter what side we have chosen. It appears to be very easy to be here in contemporary time and look back over 200+ years and criticize our 'founding fathers' for their actions, change the meaning of their intent and arrogantly believe that we 'know' what they were thinking and why they did what they did.
Yes, our fore-fathers where white and many of them were rich. But these same white men and their spouses, the greater majority who were Christian, invested who they were and what they had (and many lost everything including their lives) and decided that what they believed in was important enough to fight and die for and define those beliefs in a series of documents, rights and accountabilities. Their actions were based on their Christian values and beliefs. Stating otherwise, is just not being truthful. Refer to "the Patriots Handbook" by George Grant for additional factual references, including our first 14 presidents, before George Washington inaugurated April 30, 1789, they who served under the Continental Congress and then the Confederation Congress prior to what we know now as our Constitution.
We may feel justified in our criticism, but kindly name me one, just one, other country in the world that is what America is and what America has, in libertys, freedoms and rights, to be exactly what and who we choose to be or not be and with the same freedoms as are being expressed on this website. Also, yes we had slaves but no more. It was the white Americans that eliminated slavery and we have done more to promote people's rights and freedoms around the world than all other countries combined. Of course, supporting other's freedom and rights and promoting Democracy has been labeled, in some corners, as imperialism and pushing our belief systems. You can't have it both ways, condemnation of who we are and at the same time condemning our not doing enough in the world.
We are in a constant state of 'potential' change, whether technological or otherwise. As a 40+ year technological change agent, I can testify that all change is not necessarily good, nor is it necessary, nor at the right time. We as a society, using our God-given capabilities have shown that we can, when objective and willing, can arrive at reasonable conclusions and directions.
However, we have become a nation of people highly influenced by small groups of special interests that believe that they can move us in their own selfish personal or ideological direction, and are willing to label any dessenters with negative names. Socialism and total Secularism are a few. This is intended to create fear and prevent knowledgeable dialogue. Such terms as racist, homophobe, or Christian Right are just a few. We have created terms as Progressive so that others, who might disagree, will be labeled, non-Progressive. Additionally we have created terms like anti-Christian so that those who speak against us, must not be Christian.
We are polarizing the majority of our people, that group that in the past we labeled the Silent Majority.
We are better than that, but we are losing the courage to be American, to stand for what our founding fathers believed and why they risked everything to create America, not to be like Europe or other countries, but to be American, the most wonderful, charitable, freedom-loving and energetic people on our beautiful earth.
Kindly always remember, "We have the right to our opinion, but we do not have the rights to distort the facts".
Ron Borowski
Human needs prayer and meds
Human needs shock therapy and perhaps a full lobotomy.
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