David Gushee has posted an Op-Ed about "Graduation and a 'naked public square'" that appears to lament the lack of overtly religious sermonizing to add solemnity to the ritual of high school graduations.
I would rather celebrate the lack of religious sermonizing and wish that it were more widespread. Graduations are not the equivalent a public forum where everyone is equally free to express an opinion. Graduates are not voluntary participants in these events.
Gushee suggests the possibility of religiously pluralist sermons at graduations, but such a suggestion is exceedingly naive. Who can imagine conservative Christian parents and grandparents in Georgia sitting still while being forced to listen to graduation homilies from Muslims, Mormons or Hindus?
Neuhaus's lament about the "naked public-square" has always been a euphemism for lamentations over the demise of a public square monopolized by Christians. He advocated relentlessly for the elevation of the majoritarian faith in public life, not, as Gushee would suggest, for a public square that gives equal voice to every faith.
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1 comments:
The price of admission to a high school graduation --- as a guest or student --- should not be having to endure sermonizing or worship by an individual on the public's money & time.
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