Freedom of religion not forgotten in Chapel talk

The prominent words in Newhouse III's display of the First Amendment can be a bit misleading. The protections promised under the First Amendment extend beyond freedom of the press.

The first right guaranteed in the amendment is to establish a religion. This right was addressed in Hendricks Chapel Tuesday evening with discussions about the First Amendment's religious protections.

The event, titled "Whose Religious Freedom? Contemporary Conflicts in Living with the First Amendment," was just the beginning of a yearlong celebration associated with the opening of Newhouse III.

Bill Wiecek, a Syracuse University professor of law and history, kicked off the event with his lecture on how the government has become more accommodating in its policies regarding separation of church and state.

Wiecek spoke about the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and the various interpretations of it.

"The words of the First Amendment in regard to the freedom of religion require and invite interpretation as to the meaning," he said.

As America continues to change, so does the government's interpretation of the Establishment Clause, Wiecek said. He predicted that the government will continue to move toward a more accommodating religious policy in the future.

"We still have to keep an eye on the government," Wiecek said.

This was certainly a case for discussion as Wiecek and associate professor of religion and the media, Gustav Niebuhr, responded to various questions form the audience regarding a pending class action lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed after correctional facilities were instructed by the Bureau of Prisons to eliminate all religious books and other media that are not on a pre-approved list. This policy has recently been implemented at the suggestion of the Department of Justice, which fears that American prisons could become a haven for religiously motivated terrorists.

Julie Bondor, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, shared an opinion echoed by other members of the audience.

"Censorship should not be allowed in the religious genre," Bondor said.

The timing of the event, which ran from 4-7 p.m. - with a break in between - was a conscious decision.

"The time reflects when most students and faculty can participate," said Niebuhr, who moderated most of the event.

Despite the off-hours timing of the event, Hendricks Chapel was a sea of empty seats. Fewer than 20 students attended the meeting, while faculty and others brought the total attendance to about 50.

"Many Americans take for granted the freedom of religion in America, and they shouldn't because religious freedom is rare around the world," Wiecek said.

Several students who attended voiced an additional concern with student apathy.

"I was really excited about Newhouse setting up a series of speeches concerning the First Amendment; I just wish it was better publicized," said Jeanine Kowalski, a senior television, radio and film major. "It gives students the opportunity to learn and talk about issues we wouldn't normally talk about over the lunch table."