Dissent and civility

As University Chaplain, some of my primary symbols are bridges, quilts, and art.

Bridges convey the notion that dialogue is always (at the minimum) two-sided. There is no such thing as a bridge that just goes in one direction only.

A quilt takes the cooperation of many people. The Patches for Peace quilt that hangs in the campus center is a great example. Not every student organization that did a small square/patch perfectly agrees with each other. But all student organizations came together in a spirit of cooperation and made a very beautiful quilt.

Finally, I see art as a symbol for my role as university chaplain. I don't like every piece of art that I see. But, fundamentally, I know that all art needs to be respected.

For me bridges, quilts, and art represent dialogue, cooperation, and respect. Three very important characteristics -- even virtues -- that any family and in particular our Tufts University family needs.

Dialogue, cooperation, and respect: three ideals that should not be lost or forgotten. Dialogue, cooperation, and respect: three ideals that are needed in a civil society and here in our Tufts University family. The great social ethicist, John Courtney Murray, wrote We Hold These Truths, in 1960. Here is a brief passage:

"Argument ceases to be civil when it is dominated by passion and prejudice; when its vocabulary becomes solipsist, premised on the theory that my insight is mine alone and cannot be shared and when dialogue gives way to a series of monologues. When things like this happen, conversation becomes merely quarrelsome or querulous. Civility dies with the death of dialogue."

I would extend the idea and say civility dies with the death of dialogue, cooperation, and respect.

Tufts University was founded in 1852. The original charter explicitly barred any religious test for students or faculty. Dialogue, cooperation, and respect were three very important ideals from the Universalist tradition. Now in the year 2003, 151 years after the founding of our Tufts University family, are we in danger of losing a fundamental identity?

It is my prayer and hope that for our Tufts University family, the symbols of bridges, quilts, and art can be adopted by everyone. Dialogue, cooperation, and respect for all, all the time. Then indeed we will be a light on the hill showing Pax et Lux, Peace and Light to all.

Reverend David O'Leary is the University Chaplain