These types of stories really make my blood boil. The Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center has banned all religious symbols on its premises for this Christmas season. They did it so as not to "offend anyone"! Spokeswoman for the Hollings Cancer Center, Vicky Agnew said that decorations will be, "more secular and respectful to all beliefs." Agnew said, "We don't want to offend a volunteer with good intentions, but we need to think of the bigger picture. People who are Muslim or Jewish or have no religious beliefs come here for treatment." This action is, "not meant to be cold," she said.
This is, sadly, yet another instance of arrogance, fundamental misunderstanding of our Constitution and an outright cowardice! Keep in mind this cancer center is where sick people are recuperating from serious illnesses and it has been proven in peer reviewed research that prayer and ones Christian faith does have a positive impact on patient recovery! If anyplace this is where such vital symbols of faith, encouragement and hope are needed. Our Constitution does not establish an absolute divorce of religious content from the public arena. The so-called separation of church and state clause was instituted to protect people of faith from the abuses of government - something which many of our forefathers had experienced in Europe.
The rights of the many are abrogated and sacrificed on the expedient altar of political correctness! So the fear of a hardhearted atheist or member of some other faith was so compelling that they were forced to take such a Draconian action? I think not. There has been a concerted effort by liberals, spearheaded by groups like the ACLU, for decades to systematically remove all evidence of our Judeo-Christian heritage from *any* public space. This attack has been concentrated mainly on court houses, public primary schools, hospitals, universities, state parks, and businesses. They've even gone after private property owners having a large cross on display. We must fight back against this tyranny. For too long people of faith and freedom lovers have sat back and allowed this evil to foster. Now is the time for action! Please take time to contact the Hollings Cancer Center and let them know that you are angered by their decision and want them to reverse it. Remember: Jesus is the Reason for the Christmas season!
Here is some helpful contact information I collected. Make your voice heard today!
Vicky Agnew, Public Relations
Hollings Cancer Center
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 843-792-0376
Andrew S. Kraft, M.D., Director
Hollings Cancer Center
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 843-792-8284
Hollings Cancer Center
Main Phone: 843-792-0700
Medical University of South Carolina
Main Phone: 843-792-2300
Medical University of South Carolina
Attn: Raymond S. Greenberg, President
Colcock Hall
179 Ashley Ave.
MSC 001
Charleston, SC 29425
Medical University of South Carolina
Hollings Cancer Center
Attn: Andrew S. Kraft, M.D., Director
86 Jonathan Lucas Street
P.O. Box 250955
Charleston, SC 29425
Being a state-affiliated hospital, this cancer center likely receives quite a bit of taxpayer funding. I'm happy to see that they aren't spending those taxpayer dollars on decorations for one specific religion. As far as I can tell, there's no ban on family/friends putting up religious decorations in a patient's room or whatnot.
ReplyDeleteSetting aside areas where any local religious organization can set up non-offensive displays on their own is the proper way to handle this. Instead of being an asshole and trying to make people spam their email inboxes, maybe you could suggest a nice, friendly way to let people express their religions, instead of demanding that they celebrate your religion.
And as far as the ACLU goes, they'd be on *your* side if a hospital did something like ban religious symbols from patients' rooms. I'd be on your side on that case as well! This hospital is simply having their overall public theme be more secular in nature, as it should be.
My motive is not to make their email overflow. I'm not trying to give them a hard time, but I do want them to pay attention to this issue. We live in a majority Christian nation so it's absurd for them to ban Christian symbols during the Christmas season. If other faiths want their symbols represented that is also fine, I have no problem with that. They are bowing down to political correctness and that is offensive.
ReplyDeletefirst up: could we get a source? thank you...
ReplyDeleteim sorry that you are getting so worked up about this, however I do think that they, and the anonymoose above me, are right. It is true, that christmas is christian holiday (at least originally, now its mostly commercial anyway).
Now, about the faith helping recovery, i have not seen siad research, but i do believe that it is in no way something specific to christianity, that just wouldnt be right.
Also where does SHE say anything about the constitution or seperation of church and state? i dont see it anywhere, they simply respect all religions by not promoting a single one, but letting each 'do its thing'.
If someone were to put up symbols of another religion in, lets say, a school, I would probably read a blogpost on here about how outragous it is, that christian children go to a school with those symbols everywhere, but honestly, its just the same with christian symbols. I am not saying you cant have crosses, but I AM saying you cant have them everywhere others go too. and yes, having them everywhere is the same. so until i get a lot of footnote links and sources and a press release that they are actually not allowing any symbols for patients, i consider your point(s) ... well ... lets say 'not so pointy'.
Whenever you talk about where a symbol should be, please think what you would write if there was another religions symbol there, and if you would mind.
PS: you still on netrek ?
The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors do not grow uncontrollably, do not invade neighboring tissues, and do not spread throughout the body. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Green Coffee Bean 1234