[Dialogue] Pres. Bush at Calvin College

[LAURELCG@aol.com]

Forwarded by Jann McGuire

President Bush to Face Widespread Faculty Dissent When He Speaks at 
Evangelical College on Saturday

By THOMAS BARTLETT

More than 100 professors at Calvin College, in Michigan, have signed a letter 
criticizing the policies of President Bush, who is scheduled to speak at the 
evangelical Christian institution's spring commencement on Saturday. 

The letter, which will be published as an advertisement in The Grand Rapids 
Press on Saturday, says that the professors "see conflicts between our 
understanding of what Christians are called to do and many of the policies of your 
administration." It calls the war in Iraq "unjust and unjustified" and argues 
that President Bush's policies "favor the wealthy of our society and burden the 
poor." 

A spokesman for the college said on Tuesday that the letter was proof of a 
lively intellectual climate at Calvin. "I would have been disappointed if there 
hadn't been dissent on this issue," said Phil de Haan, the spokesman. He noted 
that the college has 300 faculty members, so about one-third of the 
professors actually signed the letter. 

"I think the majority of people on campus are excited about the president's 
visit," he said. 

Among those who conceived and circulated the letter was David Crump, a 
professor of religion at Calvin. "We wanted to object to some specific policies but 
also to object to the way that the language of orthodox evangelical 
Christianity has been hijacked by the religious right and its close association with 
this administration," he said. 

Mr. Crump said he knew of no plans for demonstrations during President Bush's 
visit. 



An Open Letter to the President of the United States of America, George W. 
Bush 

On May 21, 2005, you will give the commencement address at Calvin College. 
We, the undersigned, respect your office, and we join the college in welcoming 
you to our campus. Like you, we recognize the importance of religious 
commitment in American political life. We seek open and honest dialogue about the 
Christian faith and how it is best expressed in the political sphere. While 
recognizing God as sovereign over individuals and institutions alike, we understand 
that no single political position should be identified with God's will, and we 
are conscious that this applies to our own views as well as those of others. 
At the same time we see conflicts between our understanding of what Christians 
are called to do and many of the policies of your administration. 

As Christians we are called to be peacemakers and to initiate war only as a 
last resort. We believe your administration has launched an unjust and 
unjustified war in Iraq. 

As Christians we are called to lift up the hungry and impoverished. We 
believe your administration has taken actions that favor the wealthy of our society 
and burden the poor. 

As Christians we are called to actions characterized by love, gentleness, and 
concern for the most vulnerable among us. We believe your administration has 
fostered intolerance and divisiveness and has often failed to listen to those 
with whom it disagrees. 

As Christians we are called to be caretakers of God's good creation. We 
believe your environmental policies have harmed creation and have not promoted 
long-term stewardship of our natural environment. 

Our passion for these matters arises out of the Christian faith that we share 
with you. We ask you, Mr. President, to re-examine your policies in light of 
our God-given duty to pursue justice with mercy, and we pray for wisdom for 
you and all world leaders. 

Concerned faculty, staff, and emeriti of Calvin College 

>From The Chronicle of Higher Education