Professor sent email with religious message -- is it crossing a line?

Student Lounge College Life
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The student wrote this in post #27:

Sounds to me like they were sharing their experiences and in fact enjoyment of the holiday music. What they seem to be “bothered by” (your words) is the principal and the fact that a professor should not put anything with religious tones in an email. Minimizing the student’s opinion/feelings is disappointing and a bit tone deaf.

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I find the student’s reaction to be very disappointing. Ideally, I wish the professor had not included the sentences, but I would have hoped that by age 21, this “super senior” would have the perspective and maturity to react in the spirit in which it was intended.

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The student is a freshman, but thats irrelevant. They are completely entitled to their feelings. Expecting them to essentially invalidate their feelings is remarkably insensitive. But carry on.

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OP’s username refers to “high school senior”. I believe that he is a college freshman.

While there is a violation of separation between church and state, it is sad that such good intentions are regarded as offensive.

Once again, “Merry XMas To All !”

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Op can feel however he wants, obviously, and can think whatever he wants, too, (it can even be wildly offensive to society’s norms if desired) as can the professor as well. Tolerance for others and exposure to differing beliefs should be part of the academic experience. I do not validate oversensitivity in my own kids or encourage it in others, see above posts, but OP is an adult who certainly doesn’t need validation from us. With that, happy holidays to all, and a good night.

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One is often faced with a choice of whether to fight a battle or “suck it up and get over it.” Due to the perceived intent of the professor, and lack of any damage done to anyone, this would be a case where I would suck it up and get over it. Life is short. We should show grace and kindness when we are able.

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It is likely that most schools require their faculty to have diversity/sensitivity/ethics training. Sounds like some may benefit from a tune-up.

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I always recommend a thought exercise when issues like this come up.

Imagine that the religion were changed to one in which you did not participate. What if the message were “Happy Eid! As you navigate finals may you feel the warmth of Allah’s love”? What if the music in the cafeteria were Chanukah themed? If this wouldn’t offend you it seems reasonable to think that Christian themed messages and decorations shouldn’t offend. If they would bother you you might want to think about why and how non-Christians might feel.

As for me, I’ve been an atheist (not agnostic) for a good 40 years but I still put up a Christmas tree and I enjoy Christmas music and foods. For me it’s just an excuse for celebration, gift giving, and family time. I assume when people wish me a merry Christmas, happy Chanukah, happy Kwanza or the like that they’re just sharing their excitement over the season. I would however be really irritated at a message I saw as an attempt at proselytizing in an unequal power situation.

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I appreciate everyone’s comments, and I will certainly give them all some thought. However, I’d like to clear up a few things.

First, I think that some posters have misunderstood my intentions, which I tried (and perhaps failed) to make clear. Although I did ask if should “do” anything in my original post, I’m not trying to take any particular action against this professor, as I stated in my other posts. Do I think it was, at least somewhat, wrong? Yes, and of course I’m entitled to my own opinion. However, I think that saying something to the administration would be blowing things out of the water and could potentially result in serious consequences for a not-particularly-serious offense. While I welcome everyone to continue the discussion, I am moving on from the incident itself.

I know that being “offended” by something/someone has, in recent years, taken on a very strong connotation. I was not using the word in this way; I was simply saying that it bothered me. I am not about to publish an expose in the school newspaper about one email. Rather, I was just trying to get others’ perspectives to see if I was in the wrong for being bothered by the email & to start a discussion about something I’ve given a lot of thought to lately. In part, I also just needed to vent. I completely understand the larger issues behind this topic, but I hope people will not take this to be something it’s not – I am not the sort of person who gets “offended” frequently, and I find that trend distasteful and inconsiderate.

To address some things people have mentioned:

  • As @Publisher has noted after apparently rereading the email, yes, it did mention the afterlife, and just to set the record straight, there were three “words” that pushed the email into religious territory: Jesus, God, and the Bible. However, I completely agree with Publisher’s conclusion that it was, ultimately, written with good & caring intentions. @Sue22 and @jym626 , that tends to be how I think about things too, so I appreciate your perspectives as well.
  • @roycroftmom , I’m sorry that you’re “disappointed” in me, although I hope my comments above will lessen that sentiment slightly. In case it somehow matters, I’m not 21. I’m a freshman in college, as I said in my original post. Hence, this is my first time being in college…I don’t know what it’s supposed to be like. I don’t know what’s appropriate & what’s not. That’s why I asked, knowing that people might say either yes or no.
  • The statements about the Xmas music weren’t necessarily the main point, but it wasn’t a “radio station” – it was a school-sponsored event, advertised as a “study break,” and they played Ave Maria, which is undeniably a religious song. Again, I wouldn’t have made that choice myself, but I’m not losing sleep over it.

Moral of the story…I think this debate has run its course. As always, CC has given me a variety of perspectives to consider. Thanks everybody & sorry for the long post.

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MODERATOR’S NOTE: This thread has devolved into a debate so I am closing it.