2008 Woodie Awards
letter to the editor: Marist professor has right to practice prayer at start of class
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
To the Editor,
I am writing in response to the front-page story about the controversy over Professor Maria Otte's pre-class ritual. While Marist hasn't come down with an "official" ruling, she has been told that her prayers can no longer be said.
What I am about to say might not be accepted very well, but I'll just go ahead with it. Does anyone not see the extreme hypocrisy in this situation other than me? I'd love to see the administration at Marist sit in on some classes where professors consistently indoctrinate their students. Even in classes not related to political science (my "major"), I am consistently reminded of the fact that college faculties are completely dominated by liberals. Fortunately, I have had teachers that were obviously of a left-wing ideology, but did a marvelous job of keeping discussions balanced, interesting, and non-partisan. However, there are numerous instances I could highlight where myself, and not to mention plenty of other students I've met, left classes feeling completely looked down upon, shunned, even hurt by the things their professor was spewing.
If Professor Otte's five minutes of prayer is doing such a disservice to Marist's students then I'd ask those investigating this situation to extend their inquiry into the hour and fifteen minutes plenty of other professors waste with things much more harmful than a prayer asking for nothing but the best for the student body and the world.
This is just another example of the crusade being led against religion these days and it's not even surprising anymore. It is things like this that keep me from being satisfied with this college. Diversity only works when it actually promotes a diverse atmosphere. If Professor Otte's whopping five minutes is so questionable, then I can think of a few other clubs, activities, guest speakers, etc. (that Marist funds) that might fall under the same category.
Four years at Marist College-four years of preaching about a diverse utopian world that doesn't even exist. Hours of indoctrinational classes. And people wonder why I don't even care anymore. Come May, I might have a bachelor's degree-but the truth it is becoming less meaningful to me by the minute.
Thanks,
Steve Butka, '07
I am writing in response to the front-page story about the controversy over Professor Maria Otte's pre-class ritual. While Marist hasn't come down with an "official" ruling, she has been told that her prayers can no longer be said.
What I am about to say might not be accepted very well, but I'll just go ahead with it. Does anyone not see the extreme hypocrisy in this situation other than me? I'd love to see the administration at Marist sit in on some classes where professors consistently indoctrinate their students. Even in classes not related to political science (my "major"), I am consistently reminded of the fact that college faculties are completely dominated by liberals. Fortunately, I have had teachers that were obviously of a left-wing ideology, but did a marvelous job of keeping discussions balanced, interesting, and non-partisan. However, there are numerous instances I could highlight where myself, and not to mention plenty of other students I've met, left classes feeling completely looked down upon, shunned, even hurt by the things their professor was spewing.
If Professor Otte's five minutes of prayer is doing such a disservice to Marist's students then I'd ask those investigating this situation to extend their inquiry into the hour and fifteen minutes plenty of other professors waste with things much more harmful than a prayer asking for nothing but the best for the student body and the world.
This is just another example of the crusade being led against religion these days and it's not even surprising anymore. It is things like this that keep me from being satisfied with this college. Diversity only works when it actually promotes a diverse atmosphere. If Professor Otte's whopping five minutes is so questionable, then I can think of a few other clubs, activities, guest speakers, etc. (that Marist funds) that might fall under the same category.
Four years at Marist College-four years of preaching about a diverse utopian world that doesn't even exist. Hours of indoctrinational classes. And people wonder why I don't even care anymore. Come May, I might have a bachelor's degree-but the truth it is becoming less meaningful to me by the minute.
Thanks,
Steve Butka, '07
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