When a topic of conversation is as notoriously discomfiting as religion, the established thinking -- particularly in academe -- is that it's easier to just ignore the subject altogether. But what is the responsibility of a college, regardless of religious affiliation, to address the topic when it has a stated commitment to diversity, inclusion and citizenship?
Three dozen or so faculty members, student life officials and administrators were asked to ponder that question here Friday at the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Of course, given that they had chosen to attend a presentation on promoting religious pluralism and interfaith cooperation on campuses, it was presumably something to which they'd already given some thought -- even though few of them worked at religious institutions.
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