Crosses Part II

I posted about a lawsuit between Muslim students and Catholic University of America on Friday. It has since come to light that the students have not initiated the lawsuit but it was, in fact, brought about by John F. Banzhaf III, a Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University.

Catholic University of America is a Pontifical University. That means this is a school established by the Holy See, and directly under its authority. As such, it cannot be true to itself while creating “Jesus-free” spaces.
To demand that a Pontifical University create rooms and spaces where the Crucifix is unwelcome, and Catholic iconography is not permitted would be like stepping into a mosque and demanding that, because there are some Christians in the neighborhood, the mosque should install a Eucharistic Tabernacle.


A different perspective:

On a quick break between classes last week, Reef Al-Shabnan slipped into an empty room at Catholic University to start her daily prayers to Allah. In one corner was a life-size painting of Jesus carrying the cross. In another, the portrait of a late priest and theologian looked on. And high above the room hung a small wooden crucifix.
This was not, Shabnan acknowledged, the ideal space for a Muslim to pray in. After her more than two years on campus, though, it has become routine and sacred in its own way. You can find Allah anywhere, the 19-year-old from Saudi Arabia said, even at the flagship university of the U.S. Catholic world. 
 
Muslim students say they enroll at Catholic schools for many of the same reasons as their classmates: attractive campuses, appealing professors and academic programs that fit their interests. But there is also a spiritual attraction to the values that overlap the two faiths.

"Because it is an overtly religious place, it's not strange or weird to care about your religion here, to pray and make God a priority," said Shabnan, a political science major who often covers her head with a pale beige scarf. "They have the same values we do." (Bold type is my emphasis)


The  bottom line is not one Muslim student at CUA has complained...nor are they part of the lawsuit filed by the Professor named above. I will not go into detail as to what I feel is his agenda...but will say from where I sit, he is causing problems where none exist. With friends like that...well, you know the rest of that quote!