Not my Messiah

Outside of Alumni Hall in the Union, there are names of great individuals from throughout history: Lincoln, Shakespeare, Copernicus, etc. Also listed there is Jesus Christ. As a Jew, I have a problem not with the inclusion of Jesus on this list (although if I made my own list he wouldn’t be on it), but I do take issue with the inclusion of the word “christ.”

Whether I believe in the notion of immaculate conception or not – and as a Jew, I don’t – is irrelevant to my dissatisfaction with the use of this word. I feel it is used unjustifiably because “christ” is not a last name as are Copernicus, Shakespeare, and Lincoln; instead it is a word meaning anointed or messiah. As someone who can handle his own spiritual convictions, I have no problem with saying he is not my messiah.

If the names outside of Alumni Hall are truly meant to recognize great men throughout history, let all of the names reflect on the men themselves for their ideas and their contributions as men and not on any notions of them as more than men. If, on the other hand, the names are meant to reflect certain religious ideals, the whole monument has no place in a public university.

Let’s also not forget that the same church that formed on the basis of accepting Jesus as the messiah largely rejected Copernicus’ ideas and contributions to human society during his lifetime. Given that, I am inclined to think the purpose of this monument is the former.

Because the purpose of having these names chiseled into the wall outside of Alumni Hall is not a religious one, the “c”-word has to go!

Josh Lorch
IU senior