Spring Break
Let's not forget the importancce of Religion
William J. Abraham, wabraham@smu.edu
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Opinion
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When I was considering a position at Perkins School of Theology in 1985, the crucial question for me was one of academic freedom. I had dinner one-on one with Schubert Ogden, a legendary, hard-headed liberal in every sense of that word.
I came to Perkins because he convinced me that at SMU I would have the freedom to pursue any and every issue thoroughly.
That freedom is now at stake in the decision to bring the Bush museum, library and institute to our campus. If the decision is derailed, it will be clear that the academic and theological wells at SMU are poisoned. We will be revealed as a community that does not value diversity of opinion and that shuts down alternatives. The first step in responding to the potential poison is to do all we can to ensure that the Bush institutions come to SMU.
The Bush institutions furnish an invaluable opportunity to explore the historical, political and philosophical issues of a critical period in American history. They also provide the site for the careful examination of the theological and religious dimensions of politics.
Coming from Ireland, I know that theology and religion matter; they have become extraordinarily and globally important over the last decade. We neglect them at our peril. I welcome enthusiastically the opportunity to work as a theologian at the frontiers of contemporary politics and history.
The division of labor and responsibility envisaged should work well. President Bush will be given real space to set out his position and legacy clearly and robustly; faculty and students will have a front seat from which to examine them openly and critically. This arrangement fits snugly with our history. In a famous statement of principle, Professor John Deschner caught the issue nicely: SMU is a church-related, independent university. The church insists on a fair hearing; the university insists on independent thought. President Bush should have a fair hearing, the university should have independent thought, and the proposed arrangement guarantees both.
I came to Perkins because he convinced me that at SMU I would have the freedom to pursue any and every issue thoroughly.
That freedom is now at stake in the decision to bring the Bush museum, library and institute to our campus. If the decision is derailed, it will be clear that the academic and theological wells at SMU are poisoned. We will be revealed as a community that does not value diversity of opinion and that shuts down alternatives. The first step in responding to the potential poison is to do all we can to ensure that the Bush institutions come to SMU.
The Bush institutions furnish an invaluable opportunity to explore the historical, political and philosophical issues of a critical period in American history. They also provide the site for the careful examination of the theological and religious dimensions of politics.
Coming from Ireland, I know that theology and religion matter; they have become extraordinarily and globally important over the last decade. We neglect them at our peril. I welcome enthusiastically the opportunity to work as a theologian at the frontiers of contemporary politics and history.
The division of labor and responsibility envisaged should work well. President Bush will be given real space to set out his position and legacy clearly and robustly; faculty and students will have a front seat from which to examine them openly and critically. This arrangement fits snugly with our history. In a famous statement of principle, Professor John Deschner caught the issue nicely: SMU is a church-related, independent university. The church insists on a fair hearing; the university insists on independent thought. President Bush should have a fair hearing, the university should have independent thought, and the proposed arrangement guarantees both.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Ben
posted 1/25/07 @ 5:31 AM CST
The opportunity for inspecting these matters should not come at the cost of 30 million dollars. That amount of money is ridiculous.
It could be put to positive social uses - perhaps in funding or creating NGOs and social programs that have been cut to help alleviate our massive deficit?
No, I agree with you. (Continued…)
David Cole
David Cole
posted 1/25/07 @ 11:18 AM CST
While Professor Abraham's argument is sound, it doesn't address that other side of the equation: the resulting implied and reciprocal contract that Bush's Library and Institute have with SMU. (Continued…)
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