Christian or otherwise, a university is a university

I don’t have any problem with the secular bent of our public school system.  We live in a country that is made up of many vibrant cultures, and I have no desire to force my particular values on others.  In order for all of us to get along, we Canadians don’t allow the state to adopt a religion as its own.  It’s all about being intentionally respectful and tolerant of others, whether you have different perspectives from them or not.

I don’t always get why the school system is so nervous talking about religion.  There seems to be some leeway for talking about religions that are in the minority in Canada for educational purposes.  But as a whole, the study of religion has been pushed to the sidelines, with an apparent sigh of relief from our educators. 

This can be a bit annoying at times, particularly when it comes to holidays like Christmas or Ramadan or Hanukkah, where our secular sensibilities take great educational moments and castrate them.  Billions of people around the world celebrate these holidays, but it’s so much safer to downplay them. In one case a local Christmas pageant became a love fest for the environment, a relevant topic to be sure, but transplanted awkwardly on to the Christmas season, replacing even generic values like “peace on earth” and “goodwill to mankind.” 

Regardless, as long as the motives remain pure, and religion is not downgraded on the educational ladder because of some hostility or particular bias held by the powers that be, I can live with the tensions of a secular system.

This brings us to the debate over Trinity Western University (TWU).  If you haven’t heard, TWU’s status as a university has been called into question.  What is the contention?  TWU is a private, Christian university that requires its professors to sign a “community covenant,” or statement of belief.  The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) argues that this practice suppresses academic freedom.  In their words, “a university is meant as a place to explore ideas, not to create disciples of Christ.”       

At first blush, it’s hard to determine why CAUT has decided to take on TWU in this way.  TWU has always supported the definition of academic freedom, encourages discussions on all perspectives and ideas in the classroom, and have no previous complaints of suppressed academic freedom.  

Further, this doesn’t seem like a concern over academic license as much as concern over a Christian bias.  Although I am no academic, I’ve always assumed it was general knowledge that we all have a particular bias or perspective on the world.  If a professor signs a creed at a Christian university then they are admitting to a Christian bias.  However, if a professor at a public, secular university doesn’t sign a creed, it merely suggests that other biases are in play.  Any of these biases can stagnate academic freedom if allowed.  But a university finds its strength when, in spite of the many biases, there is a commitment to a free study of ideas.  

So why this battle, why did CAUT choose this hill to die on?  TWU has been around for awhile, and so has their community covenant.  The public school system may handle religion like a hot potato, and for good reason, but CAUT seems to want to inflict damage, preferring to draw a line in the sand over an accusation that seems groundless.  To what ends?

What should be the issue for discussion is the quality of education, and perhaps this is where the real issue lies.  TWU was featured in Maclean’s 2010 Student Survey of Universities.  The school performed remarkably well.  Apparently professors that have a Christian bias are just as good at producing top notch students as any other institution.  Apparently the students of TWU are open-minded enough to be successful contributors to society.  It’s the quality of education according to the students that CAUT should be concerned about.  In that regard, TWU seems to be doing just fine.

And yes, I’m biased.  About 15 years ago I was in a serious car accident on the Hope-Princeton highway.  The first vehicle to stop at the scene of the accident was a carload of medical students from TWU.  They prayed for me, but they also gave me excellent medical attention until the ambulance arrived.  I never got the chance to thank them.  I remain deeply appreciative for both their spiritual care and medical expertise.  

Update on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Jeff Bjorgan

As a follow up to the article, I encourage you to read Professor Grant Havers response to the situation that was published in the Vancouver Sun back on February 13th, 2010.