Recently, there has been much dissension concerning the issue of required chapel. It has brought light to the fact that requiring any activity that is not part of the academic program will not be profitable for any of the reasons that led the administration to implement it. The problem lies not in any specific form of program though many have suggested that the format be changed. Chapel should not be required because as a vehicle to improve spirituality it fails, it does little or nothing to promote community, and it is a logical fallacy to try to improve anything through forcing attendance.
First, let us address the idea that it is vital to have a place where the college can gather as a community. In an interview with Nelson Thomas, head of Student Administration, he told us that his main reason for wanting to maintain chapel was to build a feeling of community and provide a social gathering for the entire student body and faculty to interact. Well, as far as providing I have no objection, but requiring, I believe has crossed the line. Those with whom students interact are the same people that they could meet with for lunch during that free period. It is not a plac
There is a fundamental core that runs through each of these arguments. As soon as you require this type of activity, you have undermined it and doomed it to an unsatisfied, negative audience. The three parties involved; the speaker, the students who want to be there, and the students who are frustrated by compulsory attendance; are all getting negative results from a required chapel and would be better served by an optional program. This sort of activity would be dependent solely on its merits and not on an artificial set up that makes it look like everyone wants to be there. If the administration really has a point about the vitality of chapel, the majority of the adults attending this institution will recognize this and positive attendance will increase.
Finally, take into consideration what the current system has yielded us. Walk into chapel any given Tuesday and you'll see students trying to listen to a speaker who is distracted and frustrated by an audience of whom about 75% are doing homework or talking to friends. HealthCentral.com states in an overview of passive-aggressive behavior that while it is no longer considered a personality disorder because of its i
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