“William and Mary belongs to all Virginians, to the nation, and to the world.”
From a resolution unanimously adopted by the W&M Board of Visitors on Nov. 17, 2006
Home – About Us – The Facts - Opinion Articles - News Articles - Petition
Gene Nichol – Letters to Nichol – Contact Us - Archives - Blog - Reactions
04 November
The Flat Hat: A place of worship
To the Editor:
I read the article entitled, “Cross removed to make Wren Chapel less ‘faith-specific’,” and was appalled by the belief that a cross in a chapel is offensive. Historically, chapels are tied to Christianity, hence why would a cross inside be offensive?
By Michelle Tait, ‘05
November 4, 2006
To the Editor:
I read the article entitled, “Cross removed to make Wren Chapel less ‘faith-specific’,” and was appalled by the belief that a cross in a chapel is offensive. Historically, chapels are tied to Christianity, hence why would a cross inside be offensive?
The College has a long history, and we are justly proud of that history. Included in our past is the fact that the College was founded as an Anglican institution. While we are currently a public university without religious affiliation, we cannot deny that without the initial support from the Anglican Church, our beloved college would not exist.
As a student, I went to the Wren Chapel to enjoy the peace and serenity of a place where countless others before me had gone to pray and worship. It was reassuring to know that great men like Thomas Jefferson went there as a student in search of something greater than himself. To see the Wren Chapel desecrated by the removal of its cross is not only disappointing, but offensive and disrespectful.
I believe students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of their religious beliefs, can get past a cross on the altar and see the Wren Chapel as a place of worship, as a place of respite and as a place where our history and heritage are honored. Unfortunately, administrators like Ms. Engimann fail to realize that, and yet another beloved symbol of the College has fallen victim to the College’s pursuit of political correctness. Barksdale is gone, the feathers are gone, the cross is gone -- what’s left to be destroyed?
-- Michelle Tait, ’05
I read the article entitled, “Cross removed to make Wren Chapel less ‘faith-specific’,” and was appalled by the belief that a cross in a chapel is offensive. Historically, chapels are tied to Christianity, hence why would a cross inside be offensive?
By Michelle Tait, ‘05
November 4, 2006
To the Editor:
I read the article entitled, “Cross removed to make Wren Chapel less ‘faith-specific’,” and was appalled by the belief that a cross in a chapel is offensive. Historically, chapels are tied to Christianity, hence why would a cross inside be offensive?
The College has a long history, and we are justly proud of that history. Included in our past is the fact that the College was founded as an Anglican institution. While we are currently a public university without religious affiliation, we cannot deny that without the initial support from the Anglican Church, our beloved college would not exist.
As a student, I went to the Wren Chapel to enjoy the peace and serenity of a place where countless others before me had gone to pray and worship. It was reassuring to know that great men like Thomas Jefferson went there as a student in search of something greater than himself. To see the Wren Chapel desecrated by the removal of its cross is not only disappointing, but offensive and disrespectful.
I believe students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of their religious beliefs, can get past a cross on the altar and see the Wren Chapel as a place of worship, as a place of respite and as a place where our history and heritage are honored. Unfortunately, administrators like Ms. Engimann fail to realize that, and yet another beloved symbol of the College has fallen victim to the College’s pursuit of political correctness. Barksdale is gone, the feathers are gone, the cross is gone -- what’s left to be destroyed?
-- Michelle Tait, ’05