Bush at Calvin

Many of you know that Cedarville had high hopes that President Bush would deliver our 2005 comencement address. He turned us down - in favor of Calvin. This week he will be at Calvin to speak and it appears that there is some resistance to his politics. More than 100 professors have signed a letter protesting Bush's politics. Calvin has 300 professors, so this represents about 1/3 of their faculty. It is interesting to note that even though evangelicals have all been assumed to be on the bandwagon with Bush, there are still some out there who resist! I have included the letter written by the faculty:

An Open Letter to the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush
On May 21, 2005, you will give the commencement address at Calvin College. We, the undersigned, respect your office, and we join the college in welcoming you to our campus. Like you, we recognize the importance of religious commitment in American political life. We seek open and honest dialogue about the Christian faith and how it is best expressed in the political sphere. While recognizing God as sovereign over individuals and institutions alike, we understand that no single political position should be identified with God's will, and we are conscious that this applies to our own views as well as those of others. At the same time we see conflicts between our understanding of what Christians are called to do and many of the policies of your administration.
As Christians we are called to be peacemakers and to initiate war only as a last resort. We believe your administration has launched an unjust and unjustified war in Iraq.
As Christians we are called to lift up the hungry and impoverished. We believe your administration has taken actions that favor the wealthy of our society and burden the poor.
As Christians we are called to actions characterized by love, gentleness, and concern for the most vulnerable among us. We believe your administration has fostered intolerance and divisiveness and has often failed to listen to those with whom it disagrees.
As Christians we are called to be caretakers of God's good creation. We believe your environmental policies have harmed creation and have not promoted long-term stewardship of our natural environment.
Our passion for these matters arises out of the Christian faith that we share with you. We ask you, Mr. President, to re-examine your policies in light of our God-given duty to pursue justice with mercy, and we pray for wisdom for you and all world leaders.
Concerned faculty, staff, and emeriti of Calvin College .

This letter will published as an advertisement in The Grand Rapids Press on Saturday