An Oxford College has banned the Christian Union from its Freshers’ Fair due to the viewpoint it would be “alienating” students of other religions. The organiser of the fair argued that it could make students feel “unwelcome” in the new college if the Christian Union had a stall.
"An Oxford College has banned the Christian Union from its freshers’ fair on the grounds that it would be “alienating” for students of other religions, and constitute a “micro-aggression”.
The organiser of Balliol’s fair argued Christianity’s historic use as “an excuse for homophobia and certain forms of neo-colonialism” meant that students might feel “unwelcome” in their new college if the Christian Union had a stall.
Freddy Potts, vice-president of Balliol’s Junior Common Room (JCR) committee, said that if a representative from the Christian Union (CU) attended the fair, it could cause "potential harm" to freshers.
Mr Potts, writing on behalf of the JCR's welfare committee, told the CU representative at Balliol, that their "sole concern is that the presence of the CU alone may alienate incoming students”."
You do have to wonder what the attitude would have been should the Islamic Society have been the sole religious stall there.
I reckon Islam may top Christianity in homophobia.
The homophobic reference to Christianity is a bit off the mark. Homosexuality has been pretty much compulsory in many cases.
You do have to wonder what the attitude would have been should the Islamic Society have been the sole religious stall there.I reckon Islam may top Christianity in homophobia.The homophobic reference to Christianity is a bit off the mark. Homosexuali
Must be a slow news day to drag out something like that.
The JCR has now changed its approach. The concern apparently was not every major religion was represented rather than the CU's views on homophobia. I am extremely concerned at this. Surely no major religion that might be anti-gay should have a stand as this might make some people feel unwelcome.
Also a society that involves drinking or sport some might find offensive if they are unable to play sport or they do not believe in drinking. The same might apply to the cooking society if it involves cooking meat. Some might find this a micro aggression.
Students at an Oxford University college have backtracked after banning the Christian Union (CU) from their freshers' fair.
Students at Balliol stopped the CU from attending the event last week because they wanted it to be a "safe and secular space".
Organisers have since agreed allow religious groups at future fairs.
The umbrella organisation for Christian Unions in the UK said the dispute had been "amicably resolved".
The Cherwell student newspaper reported the JCR committee (junior common room committee) was concerned "every major belief system" would not be represented at the fair for new students.
Must be a slow news day to drag out something like that. The JCR has now changed its approach. The concern apparently was not every major religion was represented rather than the CU's views on homophobia. I am extremely concerned at this. Surely no m
They'll be closing down the pubs then I'd imagine, considering all the confrontation that goes on in them, surely people get their feeling hurt there. I was in Cambridge's Trinity College last week and not a sign of this nonsense thank God.
They'll be closing down the pubs then I'd imagine, considering all the confrontation that goes on in them, surely people get their feeling hurt there. I was in Cambridge's Trinity College last week and not a sign of this nonsense thank God.
If any 'fresher' had a problem with this then the fault would lie within themselves. This country needs a body to oversee our culture and way of life and make sure nothing is allowed to impact on it.
If any 'fresher' had a problem with this then the fault would lie within themselves.This country needs a body to oversee our culture and way of life and make sure nothing is allowed to impact on it.
Wont be long before the snowflakes are pulling down crucifixes as they inaccurately portray jesus in a western "whitewashing" of historical middle eastern ethnology and he is indicative, up there above us, of a white male oppression of LGBTIQ and islamotransexual rights...
Wont be long before the snowflakes are pulling down crucifixes as they inaccurately portray jesus in a western "whitewashing" of historical middle eastern ethnology and he is indicative, up there above us, of a white male oppression of LGBTIQ and isl
"Freshers"...how the heck has this American terminology managed to infiltrate into ourEnglish language.First year University student has a far more colloquial ring to it.
"Freshers"...how the heck has this American terminology managed to infiltrate into ourEnglish language.First year University student has a far more colloquial ring to it.
British English never uses the terms Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior etc (in any educational context). Use of those terms is not well understood in Britain, and most British English speakers would not understand what the term means.
British English never uses the terms Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior etc (in any educational context). Use of those terms is not well understood in Britain, and most British English speakers would not understand what the term means.
twizzle I was introduced to freshers week in 1968 at the northern poly in London,it was in use then,plenty of clubs on display,footie,cricket,folk and caelidh,etc might still have come from USA but it isnt a recent yankism.
twizzle I was introduced to freshers week in 1968 at the northern poly in London,it was in use then,plenty of clubs on display,footie,cricket,folk and caelidh,etc might still have come from USA but it isnt a recent yankism.