According to Gomes, it was this suspicion ofreligious groups that hurt King's councilpresidential election bid. Many students saw Kingas part of some "religious cabal," Gomes says.

The fact that King was an "out and practicingChristian...made many people, including some atThe Crimson, nervous about his ability to be astudent leader," he adds.

Jason R. Mann '01, a Bible study leader withChristian Impact, says Christian groups on campusmay be viewed with more wariness thannon-Christian groups.

"If I was a Buddhist, people would say that Iwas really cool and open-minded," Mann says. "Butwhen people hear I'm a religious Christian, theysometimes say 'Oh, that's old-fashioned.'"

THE SILENT COLLEGE

The potential for an increase in religioustension has led Gomes and Epps to look for astronger statement on religion from Harvard'sadministration.

Gomes says the University is often too willingto ignore religious questions.

"There's a sense that religion is so privatethat the institution doesn't have to be aware ofthese things," he says.

Epps agrees, suggesting that the Universitymight be able to ease religious tensions on campuswere it to take the official position that "it isokay to be a member of a religious group."

Epps, who points out that this position isdifferent from advising students to be a member ofsome particular religious groups, says this is notthe administration's current stance.

"The College has no stance now," he says. "TheCollege is silent.