Special Assembly For Black History Month

A letter from a reader we will call "Luther" to Dean Cain:

I believe we as the student body deserve an apology for allowing what was presented in Chapel on February 15, 2006. We came to give our time to God, as we were told and perceived what Chapel is for. I do believe it is very necessary for the giving of contribution to Black History Month, although Chapel if specifically and most of all for our contribution to God.

On that day I came to Chapel and concentrated my ears to what I thought were great words relating to God that the man wanted to share. That is until I realize my ears were assaulted by blasphemous words. That was outrageous. First of all, there was no major contribution to God. Secondly, half the words were false. Then the thing I’m most disappointed in is that Rochester College, a Christian establishment would allow such half-baked content to be presented. I felt betrayed coming here trusting the school to uphold Christian principles. This is inconsistence to the Rochester College Mission Statement and Code of Academic Integrity that we proudly display in our buildings and on the internet. Example of false words would Walter Sammons inventing the comb. The comb is and ancient tool that existed even during ancient Egypt. It is not a recent century invention. Walter Sammons did invent the heated comb. Also Alexander Miles did not invent the elevator. He improved on it by inventing the mechanism to automatically close the doors of it. This is academic fallacy that the college has allowed to be presented, to be taught especially in Chapel. That is just disturbing.

The major point I received form his speech is the casting of blame on the white man. It really is sad for him to not realize who his true enemy is. (I assume he is a Christian since Rochester College allowed him to speak in Chapel.) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12. His true enemy, the true oppressor is Satan, not his brethrens.

I felt like I’ve sinned for sitting there, listening to, giving my spiritual attention to, then received false teachings. This just disgusts me. I feel ashamed for having to encourage my friends and family to attend here. I don’t want us to just become a so-called Christian College. I hope that we don’t travel far from the Rochester College Mission Statement and Code of Academic Integrity.

I know you cannot apologize for what the man said during Chapel, but you can apologize for allowing fallacy to be preached. What is more important than an apology towards the student body is an apology to God. Humility is what makes us humble.

"Luther's" letter was only one among a number exposing the problems with that assembly and the speech. The Rochester College staff, encourage students to analyze things, so it will be interesting to see how they respond.