Threats undermine Alma College community and ideals

To the Editor:

As members of the Alma College Chapel Advisory Council, we represent a broad spectrum of Christian religious groups on campus. We deplore the recent threats made against Dr. Joanne Gilbert on the basis of her Jewish identity. We agree with Dr. Saundra Tracy’s comment that the sentiments expressed in the anonymous letter are antithetical to our values and beliefs. We commend the way in which the College administration has spoken out against the intolerance expressed in the letter.

As Christians, we are called to be agents of reconciliation and peacemaking. We are called to lift up love rather than hatred. Whenever we violate the primary ethic of loving God, self and neighbor, we fracture community and fail to honor the great commandment. We believe that the ethic of love transcends any and all denominational affiliations.

We firmly believe that the vast majority of students on our campus welcome religious and cultural diversity, and are deeply upset and offended by all forms of intolerance and prejudice. We recognize that our differences enrich us and challenge us to find the common ground that unites us as human beings and children of God.

We strongly support Dr. Gilbert and her work at Alma College. She is a compassionate and dedicated individual, a valued faculty member and an important voice for advocacy in our community. That threats have been made against her and her family defy our understanding of what it means to be a member of our college community.

Yours truly,

Alex Bos
Rachel Dyke
Julie Frick
Grant Kinney
Breanne Harmon
Marc Hong
Michelle Monsour
Rita Naomi
Matthew Novakoski
Kyle Pietila
Anne Westerman
Vicky Wilson
Rev. Christine Vogel, Chaplain

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