[CSPS] The Letter

[Hugh]

Perhaps we should decide first how many to list and then which to include.
There are curently si listed.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rebecca Hankins [mailto:RHankins at lib-gw.tamu.edu]
> Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 8:31 AM
> To: csps at PHILEBUS.tamu.edu; hugh at stearnsconstruction.biz;
> p-parrish at tamu.edu
> Cc: kristamay at earthlink.net; william.wurtz at tamu.edu
> Subject: Re: [CSPS] The Letter
>
>
> Everyone:
>
> I think it's very important to acknowledge these other faiths
> by name.
> This Council obviously doesn't know what defines a religion and needs
> things spelled out to them.  I would also add that we have a sizeable
> Buddhist population here, faculty, students and staff.
>
> Rebecca
>
> >>> Paul Parrish <p-parrish at tamu.edu> 10/16 4:38 PM >>>
> 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/
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CSPS mailing list
> CSPS at csps.tamu.edu
> http://philebus.tamu.edu/mailman/listinfo/csps
>
>
>