Well, of course, the authority would come from the Episcopal Church of America. But the real issue is the nature of religion, as explained to me by a sociologist of religion I once worked with (he was also a Lutheran pastor.) He argued that religions like monopolies. None, by their nature, are fully comfortable with equality of religions. This produces an conflict between those who read the "freedom of religion" in the First Amendment, but ignore the establishment clause, and those who wish religion to be completely free but separated from government and tax money. If the College of William & Mary is a tax supported, public university, then the question of religious identity, religious symbols, etc. is a relevant subject of discussion. Go to another school, in another context in the South, was the essential argument in support of segregation in education. This assertion always assumes that what exists is legitimate and those who want change are wrong. It is a loaded assertion and I would have thought that we were long past it by now. Harold S. Forsythe ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Philip Adams" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 6:56 PM Subject: Re: Wren Cross at W&M > On whose authority can and should the Chapel be unconsecrated. Is this > another example of the PC mindset in action. Enough is enough. If those > who > do not wish to be contaminated by the touch of Christianity, DON'T go to > the > chapel. Maybe they should find another school, if this is so offensive. > The constitution says Freedom "OF" Religion, not "From". Read the document > and then try to interpret it properly. > > John Philip Adams > Texas > [log in to unmask] > > -----Original Message----- > From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Donald W. Moore > Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:55 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Wren Cross at W&M > > If the Wren Chapel was ever consecrated at some point in the past by > Anglican (colonial period) or Episcopalian (post-colonial period) > clergy, and if the "chapel" is now to be considered just another > room, then it should be officially unconsecrated. > > ___________________ > Donald W. Moore > Virginia Beach, Virginia > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html