Proselytizing is Anti-PluralismTo the editors:
I have watched this past "Jesus Week" with interest. Although I am an atheist, I am strongly opposed to proselytizing my beliefs. I believe that religion is a personal matter. It would be crass for me (or other atheists) to attempt to prove that atheism is the highest truth. Proselytizing is simply incompatible with respect for other belief systems.
One thing I did learn about Christianity during "Jesus Week" was that not all Christians agreed with the idea. Many of my Christian friends found it obnoxious. Participants in Jesus Week don't need Kyle to tell them what they believe in, since they wore T-shirts saying they already agreed. The goal was evangelical--to attract non-Christians such as myself.
Discussing Christianity with my five Christian blockmates I've learned more about Christianity than I ever would have even by going to every Jesus Week event. The understanding and respect for religious diversity fostered by Harvard's pluralistic environment is undermined by evangelical efforts that serve to make non-Christians such as myself more cynical.
That which has left the best impression of Christianity on me is the example left by my Christian friends doing their best to live a good Christian life. It is this daily, non-invasive example which has convinced me, more than anything else, that Christianity is an admirable religion worthy of my respect.
David H. Hembry '03
April 21, 2000
Oppenheim Offensive
Regardless of whether or not one agrees with the discrimination charges against Temple Bar, all readers should take offense at Noah D. Oppenheim's "Bushido at the Bar" (column, April 21). To answer Oppenheim's question, one reason why Harvard students "cry racism" might be because racism need not be overt for it to be present and offensive in a particular situation. It can be subtle; it can be institutionalized; and it can even appear within his column. Before Oppenheim presumes to surmise how "grateful" the Asian American Association (AAA) should be at his efforts to analyze the situation, he might instead consider why there needs to be an AAA on campus in the first place.
Priscilla Chan '01
April 23, 2000
Read more in Opinion
LETTERSRecommended Articles
-
Who Funds Kyle?With its catchy "I agree with Kyle" slogan and its ubiquitous posters, T-shirts, and newspaper ads, this month's "Jesus Week"
-
Communication(The Crimson invites all men in the University to submit signed communications of timely interest. It assumes no responsibility, however,
-
Ruffling Religious FeathersLong before Dan Brown’s bestselling The Da Vinci Code hit the shelves, Harvard’s own biblical sleuth was on the case.
-
Ruffling Religious FeathersLong before Dan Brown’s bestselling The Da Vinci Code hit the shelves, Harvard’s own biblical sleuth was on the case.
-
LECTURES AT KING'S CHAPELThe first of the King's Chapel Free Lectures of the Lowell Institute will be given this afternoon by Professor W.
-
King's Chapel Lecture Today at 2.30Professor E.Y. Hincks will lecture on "The Essential Purpose of Jesus," in King's Chapel, Boston, this afternoon at 2.30 o'clock.
