To the Editor:
I think "Without a Prayer", the article featured in the Sept. 27 issue of The Dartmouth, raises a valid point. As I read the article, I found myself recalling the mandatory First Meeting of the Class of 2005. Not surprisingly, the speakers mentioned the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington, D.C. I was stunned when one of the speakers asked us to bow our heads as she led the Class of 2005 in a prayer with heavy Judeo-Christian overtones.
I have no objection to prayer of any sort, but sitting amongst the rest of my class, I couldn't help but feel alienated and uncomfortable. I come from a Buddhist family and while not a practicing Buddhist, I still hold to some of the tenets of the religion. While I come from a Buddhist background, I am still searching for a set of beliefs that suits who I am. However, I would prefer to seek out a faith instead of having the religion come to me.
A product of the public school system, I suppose I am not accustomed to seeing religion inserted into class ceremonies. On the other hand, I figured that the logical place for prayers and services would be in Rollins Chapel, or the various churches, mosques, and temples off campus and not at a mandatory function. I found it ironic that while the speakers seemed to stress the importance of community, they were at the same time isolating members of their own Dartmouth family.
