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By analogy, what many (most likely the majority) within our society consider as "normal," appropriate, and joyous religious traditions and symbols, upon critical reflection, are perceived by many as (re)enforcements of mainline Christian standards and what is referred to as "Christian privilege," and as such, are reminders that the United States is, indeed, not the inclusive and welcoming land of freedom, justice, and equality that it often purports to be.
I apply this analogy of the fish in the water to a situation that I have observed from outside the fishbowl while at Iowa State University. While walking around the lower level of the Memorial Union, I discovered a chapel, and I decided to walk in to investigate. To my surprise, and quite frankly, shock, I discovered a large Christian cross extending virtually from floor to ceiling in front of the room.
I thought to myself, What is a Christian cross doing in a publicly supported, land grant university? Isn't this supposed to be a non-denominational space for students and staff to enter for reflection and respite? Does this cross not violate the separation of religion and government clause of the United States Constitution by promoting one form of religion over all others? How many Christians who enter this space actually perceived this as unusual or inappropriate on a university campus that purports to welcome students from all walks
of life?
Alexis de Tocqueville, French political scientist and diplomat, traveled across the United States for nine months between 1831-1832 conducting research for his epic work, Democracy in America. He was astounded to find a certain paradox: on one hand, he observed that the United States promoted itself around the world as a country separating "church and state, " where religious freedom and tolerance were among its defining tenets, but on the other hand, he witnessed that: "There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America."
He answered this apparent contradiction by proposing that in this country with no officially sanctioned governmental religion, denominations were compelled to compete with one another and promote themselves in order to attract and keep parishioners, thereby making religion even stronger.
While the government was not supporting Christian denominations and churches, per se, religion to Tocqueville "must be regarded as the first of their political institutions" since he observed the enormous influence churches had on the political process. Though he favored U.S. style democracy, he found its major limitation to be in its stifling of independent thought and independent beliefs.
Basically, in a land that promotes the notion that the majority rules, this effectively silences minorities by what Tocqueville termed the "tyranny of the majority."
The majority, in religious matters, were adherents to Christian denominations who, therefore, imposed their values and standards upon those who believe otherwise. Tocqueville, like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson before him, advocated for safeguards against such tyrannies to protect minorities from the majorities and to protect the weak from the strong.
I ask, therefore, for us all to truly perceive the nature of the substance that saturates our environment so that we can create a campus and a larger society for all to feel safe, supported, and welcomed. A step in this direction would be to remove the Christian cross from the Memorial Union Chapel and to erect a sign expressing the non-denominational purpose of this space.
Warren Blumenfeld
201 S. Russell Ave.
Ames
