Bible Bullying appropriate at UWO, says e-pluribus unum

I was browsing the local blogosphere, when I came upon this response to the on-going discussion about religion in the dorms.

James Fitzhenry complains that I have an anti-Christian bias because I am against RAs holding bible studies in their room.

He picked up on the term that I have been using of late to describe the right-wing Christian movement in this country "Christianist." I did not invent this term. (Check out this language blog about it). I think that it is a great way to describe those radicals on the right who believe that we should live in a society that is oppressively dominated by their particular view of Christianity. It is an analog to describing the Taliban as Islamists, in order to separate them from mainstream Islam.

The stories tend to repeat themselves. From complaining that Christmas is being repressed, to arguing that Christians should have the right to proselytize with state money, their vision of society is deeply opposed to mine. America should stand for tolerance and openness, not religious repression. Minority views need to be respected, and not treated as unpatriotic or offensive. Moderate Christians need to stand up to the outlandish rhetoric from the Christianists.

As I have said before, bible studies on campus are fine. RAs should keep them out of their workplace, just as professors should. I hope that no professors are spending their class time telling students that they should come to their office and learn more about their personal interpretations of the bible either.

As I think about it, I have always been a separation activist. When I was in high school, I wrote letters to the school paper complaining about my geometry teacher who kept telling us about his personal commitment to Christ and inviting us to join the fellowship of Christian Athletes. Just as I was then, I don't believe that your personal belief in any faith is appropriate in spaces where it is not the topic.

If that is irrational (as Mr. Fitzhenry suggests), so be it.


Here is the link to the Northwestern sponsored blog, called e-pluribus unum