<p>"The university has abandoned its heritage (and) the school slogan, "For God, Country and for Yale," rings a bit hollow," grouses the Palm Beach Post.</p>
<p>This saddens me. I think it was a mistake. I do think that for some Yalies, however, For God, for Country, and For Yale will always ring true.</p>
<p>LOL the author got the slogan WRONG!</p>
<p>Its a motto, not a slogan; much classier</p>
<p>Well if we want to get specific, "For God, for Country, and for Yale." is the last line of the Alma Mater, "Bright College Years. The song calls this line the "watchcry" of all Yale graduates.</p>
<p>I don't think this is a bad idea at all. Yale is/wants to be/ a secular institution welcoming equally students from all faiths. Why shouldn't an institution change when it's in the interest of fairness to its student body? Affiliation with the Christian faith no longer serves the needs of the university and its desire for inclusion.</p>
<p>The University can still be inclusive while maintaining its ties to the church. The connection only meant that the main Yale protestant congregation-which will continue to meet weekly-was a part of the United Church of Christ, the denomination that Yale has been affilliated with for all of its 300+ year history. Breaking this tie can hardly increase inclusion.</p>
<p>Not all of its students are American-so should Yale lower all flags on campus?</p>
<p>That sounds awfully xenaphobic..</p>
<p>I am an avid secularist when it comes to promoting equality, but Yale is a 300 year old institution with strong traditions. The slogan is part of what Yale has always been, and it isn't invasive. I doubt that it has given any non-Christian doubts about going to Yale. It's just like having "in God we trust" on our coins. How many people have felt persecuted by that? Very few. Giving up our motto on the coinage would be giving up part of the American tradition. Also, the slogan and the coinage do not acknowledge a specific God, as both the nation and the university have become more secular, the meaning has changed to a 'universal god.' As for the tie to the church, it is more of a ceremonial tie than anything. Again, when is the last time you heard of Yale sponsoring a tent revival? It has become a simple remnant of the past, and what institution denies its past?</p>
<p>Mirandajuly-How is it at all xenophobic to offer that up as an absurd hypothetical?</p>
<p>I hope my pious parents don't hear about this... :)</p>
<p>While I don't necessarily see the reasoning behind this move, I don't have too much of a problem with it. After all, Yale has been truly secular for many years. I agree that Yale's religious heritage is a crucial part of the institution, and for that reason, I wish the matter would be examined a bit more closely, but I think this decision is simply confirming things on paper that have been established for a long time.</p>
<p>... whatever the administration decides, I think it's going to be hard to get the students to give up on the "For God, for country, and for Yale!" motto. Some of us, at least, love it because it allows us to mock our own pretentiousness (sorry if that doesn't quite make sense. I desperately need sleep, and I'm having a hard time expressing myself clearly)... and it makes a great AIM away message :D</p>
<p>It's about time! </p>
<p>And the motto can still stay (as a matter of fact, I have little doubt that it will).</p>
<p>Yes- a very sad bit of old news. I know the columnist got it about two mouths late, but then again, he is from Florida, and probably written to enrage the devout more than to express genuine concern about Yale. No need to rub it in, though, Byerly. I'd be very surprised if this weren't old news to you.</p>
<p>Yale is a private school, so how about: If you don't like their endorsement of a religion, don't go there?</p>
<p>This was really a minor thing... Battell Chapel will still offer Christian services on Sundays, it just won't be an official branch of the Church of Chrise. Yale itself as a university has been non-affiliated for decades.</p>
<p>"For God, for Country, and For Yale" will be with Yale forever...</p>
<p>It's okay guys, I still love the school, though I wish that they would accept Me.</p>
<p>I agree that Yale is a private school, so if you don't accept their non-endorsement of a religion, you can choose to not go there. But you should forgive them, really. I think that everybody would be far happier if they just were nicer to eachother and accepted everybody.</p>