DeoOmnisGloria.com

Is Crusaders Offensive?

Northwest Nazarene University is considering changing it's mascot because "Crusaders" is apparently offensive to some. First, unless Northwest Nazarene is actively recruiting Muslim students, I think they are being a little ridiculous (imagine that, academia being ridiculous). My friend posted on it here, but his letter was too good - I have to reprint it:

Dear Mr. Richard A. Hagood,
President,

Today while surfing the Internet, I discovered a news item (February 1 and 2, 2006) mentioning my old alma mater. The article was a refreshing look at how NNU is moving forward in this new millennium, and in particular is considering retiring its musty “Crusader” mascot name.

I must say, I am relieved that the school is seriously considering removing such an anachronistic term - a word that seriously offends our Muslim and Jewish brethren. Indeed, this is not only an acknowledgment that we must position the University in line with modern, multicultural times, but that the United States - with the possible exception of Idaho – has made major social leaps and bounds since the University’s founding in 1913.

It is reassuring to see that NNU is aware that the term “Crusader” is no longer associated with those Christian ideals of zeal, honor and fortitude. Instead, modern man has progressed such that the very mention of the crusades now rightly spurs images of man’s darkest side, of his lusting for power, and the abuse of religion.

By banning NNU’s use of the school’s mascot this would also help to separate any possibly confusion with respect to the school’s religious allegiance – since we all know that the crusades were a Catholic creation.

I note, Mr. President, that in a letter you wrote to Alumni and Friends dated Nov 17, 2005, that this proposal is not motivated by “politically correct” interests, and “(i)n fact, a careful reading of the report suggests rather an attempt to align with our mission and institutional outcomes." While I have not had the opportunity to have made a “careful reading” of that proposal and what it “suggests,” I do have a few suggestions.

My main concern is that the mascot initiative might not be drastic enough. To do less than a wholesale cleansing of current campus practices to better mirror Christianity’s Message of Love, runs the risk of offending not only those who call themselves Atheists and Agnostics, but also those of other cultural, environmental, religious or sexual persuasions. Let’s be realistic, how can we honestly expect to bring people to Christ by using terminology that might possibly offend them.

If you so wish, I could in a separate letter address such subjects as Chapel, religion courses and religious jewelry.

I gather that once the Crusader mascot name has been removed, there will be a survey held to elect a new name. With that in mind, I would like to suggest that only names that are non-violent in nature be accepted – especially as we want to avoid having students in the next millennium face this moral dilemma yet again.

I would like to suggest that NNU consider adopting a plant as its mascot, and especially one that imbues pure humbleness: the pensive and sublime “Viola tricolor hortensis.”

I can think of nothing that would be more fitting, than to hear at future sporting events that loud and clear cheer: “Let’s go Pansies!”

Yours respectfully,

Robert Duncan

NNC Class of 1984

Does anyone else find "crusader" offensive? If so, you better reread history. Without the crusades we would all be wearing burkas today.

God bless,
Jay