[CSPS] The Letter

[Hugh]

Just to provide the rational, and not necessarily take a position, Catholic
was included because it was not that long ago that the majority of people in
this county did not welcome Catholics into the fold of Christians.  This is
also a nod to a speech on the separation of church and state given by
Kennedy in 1960 defending his right to be a Catholic and run for president.
The other religions listed have specific emotional appeal or relevance and
together suggest inclusiveness.  While I would not be opposed to changing
Baptist and Catholic to Christian, we are opening ourselves to a very long
list indeed if we try to include all who feel unwelcome in this town. - Hugh

> -----Original Message-----
> From: csps-bounces at PHILEBUS.tamu.edu
> [mailto:csps-bounces at PHILEBUS.tamu.edu]On Behalf Of Paul Parrish
> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 4:39 PM
> To: hugh at stearnsconstruction.biz; csps at PHILEBUS.TAMU.EDU
> Cc: Bud Wurtz (E-mail); Krista May (E-mail)
> Subject: Re: [CSPS] The Letter
>
>
> I realize the listing at the end of paragraph one is intended to be
> representative but it makes me a little uncomfortable
> nonetheless.  Perhaps combine Baptist and Catholic as "Christian,"
> add "Hindu" and a final phrase such as "among many beliefs."
>
> Paul
>
> At 03:17 PM 10/16/2005, Hugh wrote:
> >Again, thanks to Krista May, Kate Kelly and Larry Oliver for
> their quick
> >work and creativity in coming up with this letter for the ad.  It was
> >nourished in some good discussion and hopefully it will meet
> group approval.
> >__________
> >
> >In September, the College Station City Council decided to
> return to the
> >practice of opening each Council session with a prayer. We
> respectfully
> >request the College Station City Council to immediately
> reverse this action
> >in recognition of the uniquely American principle that
> separates church and
> >state in an effort to unite us in our common goal of liberty
> to believe as
> >we wish.  We encourage the council to support the power of
> this principle
> >that allows us to live as good neighbors - Baptist,
> Catholic, Muslim, Jew,
> >Atheist and Pagan.
> >
> >One of the most important tasks of the City Council is to
> work together to
> >make our community a place that welcomes everyone,
> regardless of religious
> >affiliation. It is not appropriate for a mayor to determine
> which religious
> >beliefs will be sanctioned, and which will not. While the
> Mayor and Council
> >members did not likely intend to foster intolerance, their
> actions are
> >nonetheless creating that impression. The new formal
> invocations will not
> >necessarily result in wise decisions by the Council, but
> they are certainly
> >creating unnecessary discord and division in our community.
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >CSPS mailing list
> >CSPS at csps.tamu.edu
> >http://philebus.tamu.edu/mailman/listinfo/csps
>
> Paul A. Parrish
> Regents Professor and Head
> Department of English
> Texas A&M University
> College Station, TX 77843-4227
> (979) 845-3890
> (979) 862-2292 FAX
> p-parrish at tamu.edu
> http://www-english.tamu.edu/pers/fac/parrish/
>
>
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