Editor,
Do students face an anti-religious bias in the intellectual climate at the University of New Mexico?
A letter to the editor published last month in the Daily Lobo argues they do, while a series of other letters followed, arguing UNM is a much more welcoming place for both religious and conservative viewpoints.
If true, such a charge must be taken seriously, but students should judge for themselves. One role of the Religious Studies Program is to sponsor events at which the role of religious faith can be discussed publicly.
Over the course of this year, the program will host a series titled "Nexus: Religion in a Public University," at which national experts will discuss the ways religious commitment sometimes strengthens and sometimes undermines human thriving at the individual, societal and international levels.
Discussing religion in a public university can generate controversy, but an excellent institution of higher education cannot shy away from controversy.
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Indeed, the true sense of the word, public means all positions can claim a voice and be heard - as long as they are willing to pay the price of admission to the public arena.
That price of admission is to give reasons for their positions and to listen to others' voices.
Richard Wood
UNM faculty
