To the Editor:
The recent alumni election results signify that a representative majority of Dartmouth graduates still have the good sense to cut through a whole host of B.S. and make a reasoned decision.
Let's hope that both sides in this contentious debate are now able to take all the lessons from the past few years and work to build an even better College.
Patrick Mattimore '72
Gex, France
To the Editor:
It is admirable that The Dartmouth has devoted a four-part series to religious life at Dartmouth. The first two stories were excellent and revealed a part of Dartmouth unfamiliar to many students and faculty. I am writing, though, in response to the third article, "Christianity in classroom stirs debate, mixed views" (May 27).
First, it is striking that "Christianity," as The D describes it, includes only the conservative, evangelical version of that diverse religion. The active students at Edgerton House or Aquinas House would be surprised to learn they are not Christians, or, perhaps, have no religious life, as would Congregationalists, Presbyterians and many other Christians here at Dartmouth.
Whether this focus is just poor reporting, or whether it reflects the denominational commitments of the reporter, it is misleading to readers of The D and deserves correction. Perhaps the reporter might take some courses on Christianity. We offer many.
I want particularly to reply to the reported comments of Mr. West. "I would expect a chemistry teacher to respect chemistry and be a chemist. I would expect historians to teach history. I would expect Christians to teach Christianity."
But this is faulty logic. If we follow Mr. West's first requirement, then it is satisfied: Religionists do teach Religion.
But if we follow his last suggestion, then Chemistry professors would have to be chemicals. That requirement is easily satisfied. But historians of England would have to be Tudors, and to teach Botany you would have to be a tree.
The study of Religion is an academic field like any other. The sex, religious affiliation or, for example, hair-color of the instructor is not a consideration in hiring.
We study the history and ideas of Christians, Muslims, Jews or Hindus. We do not teach Christianity; we teach about Christianity.
Dartmouth's 18th-century mission (at least as far as fund-raising was concerned) was to educate Indians. If we return to Eleazar Wheelock's mandate, Mr. West and most Dartmouth students would have to leave.
Times change. Institutions change too. That's a good thing.
A. Kevin Reinhart
Associate Professor of Religion
To the Editor:
While I was interested to read the article "Christianity in classroom stirs debate, mixed views" (May 27), I was disappointed by the scope of the article.
The author completely failed to mention several key groups of Christian Dartmouth students.
These groups include the Lutheran, Episcopalian and Catholic students.
As a member of the Catholic Student Organization, a body of several hundred students who identify themselves as Catholics, I am certainly affected by the topics that the article covers and would have liked to see much broader coverage of the Christian community here.
I encourage The Dartmouth to please consider all Christian students when covering topics relevant to Christians here at Dartmouth.
David A. Sampayo '08
Hanover, NH
President of the Campus Ministry Council at Aquinas House