The Cross and Jello: A Study in Cause and Effect

The College of William and Mary removed the historic Wren Cross from the collegiate chapel on campus. The new president of the institution accomplished this neat bit of political correctness in an effort to “make the chapel more welcoming” to faculty, staff, students, and guests of all faiths and beliefs.

In light of the fact that the college was originally tasked with preparing Christian ministers for ministry as part of its charter, this move is one of the most wrenching seperations of an institution from its history.

In a shocking compromise, the Wren Cross will be returned to the chapel but displayed in a glass case rather than being positioned behind the altar.

Boo. Hiss.

There was no reason to compromise on this. The chapel is historically Christian. Though secular activities occur there, its identity should not be compromised to allow for those who are visiting the building. When I walk into a synagogue, I don’t demand that the ark be removed, or that there be a representation of my faith.

Why such a fervor over a symbol? Because that symbol is an anchor of the identity. It is not God. It isn’t even an active tool of worship. But it does represent that passive statement of identity.

If I went to a historically Jewish institution, even as a student, I would not expect them to sacrifice their identity for my sake. And no Christian institution should expect to do so, either.

William and Mary alumni are sounding off. R. Greg Paszkiewicz (94) asks whether William & Mary students are “so fragile that the mere symbol of a religion, which they may or may not agree with, should reduce them to [a] pool of blubbering Jell-O?”

Great question. What’s the answer? Of course they aren’t. Those sounding off should stop for a moment and consider the fact that they Wren Cross was there before they were. And the Christian identity and history of the institution predates even that venerable icon of the faith.

You don’t walk into McDonald’s and demand an oil change. If you want a secular experience, look for a secular institution. That message has been going out in loud volume and large numbers.

The alumni have been sounding off and speaking out. I hope that they will follow up on those statements with actions designed to send a clear message. Rescinding their support of the new president, withholding their donations, and withdrawing their alumni participation in campus life will make it clear that changing the nature of the college changes the nature of the relationship with its alumni supporters.

One last word: I think we can safely say that the Wren Cross does not reduce students to a pool of blubbering Jell-o. Now we just have to figure out why Christians are allowing a secularly minded, politically correct college president to eliminate the identity of a Christian chapel. I think we’ve located the real blubbering Jell-o.