H.L.U. Panelists Deny Existence Of Harvard 'Christian Tradition'

Harvard as a university has moved out of the Christian tradition, three speakers from the Divinity School and the Philosophy Department concluded at the Liberal Union Forum last night.

Discussing "Is Harvard Within the Christian Tradition?" were Henry D. Aiken professor of Philosophy, Georges Florovsky, professor of Eastern Church History and Krister Stendahl, associate professor of New Testament.

Stendahl pointed out that Harvard no longer understands itself as within the Christian tradition. "Religion," said Stendahl, "should never be brought into the scene in a secular university as a unifying aspect. It can only be divisive."

Aiken said Harvard "thinks of itself as the exemplary university" for the nation. "It is impractical that Harvard should regard itself as Christian. As a national university, it should submit Christianity, as well as every other doctrine, to critical examination."

No Chapel At All

In basic agreement, Florovsky stated that a "university should not be sectarian in any sense." He said, "I do not believe a university should have a chapel of any kind. I am only concerned that religion is not silenced or ignored or dismissed as either superstitious or socio-economic phenomena."

After Florovsky and Stendahl described their "Continetal background," where "a university is not regarded as a community," William R. Crout 3 GD, pointed out that no speaker had upheld the tradition of the Anglo-Saxon university. This viewpoint, Crout said, "should not be omitted."

A second forum on religion at Harvard will be sponsored by the Congregational Presbyterian Student Fellowship Monday evening. Panelists will be Paul J. Tillich, University professor; Jerome S. Bruner, professor of Psychology, and Donald C. Williams, professor of Philosophy.