Ultimate Inclusiveness?

                                                                                                                                                                    Vol. VII, No. 2, February 1994

There's a new chapel down at Vanderbilt Divinity School. The All Faith Chapel was recently dedicated by Hindus, Jews, Protestants, Muslims, the Baha'i Club, and something called Orthodox Christian Fellowship. The report reads, "Although permanent religious symbols are not incorporated into its design, storage cabinets are available to hold the accoutrements that certain traditions use in worship."

At Vanderbilt religious particularism is, quite literally, in the closet. "This place is for all faiths," said University Chaplain Beverly Asbury at the dedication. "Its dedication consists of many acts and of one. There is diversity in our unity, and there is unity in our diversity as we dedicate this space and add to its light, each in the way of a distinctive tradition." There is also diversity in our diversity and unity in our unity and ... Oh shucks, go ahead and do whatever you want.

 [Richard John Neuhaus, First Things, November 1993, p. 54]