Providence Theological Seminary
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WHAT FACTORS HAVE AFFECTED THE DEVITOPMENT OF THE RELIGIOUS ETHOS AT THJ5 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA AND HOW DOES TKIS DETERMINE VOLUNTARY RELIGIOUS INVOLVEMENT AMONG STUDENTS, STAFF, AND ALUMNI? by Denis LaClare A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of PROVIDENCE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY in Partial Fulfilhent of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS National Library Bibliothèque nationale 191 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services senfices bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. nie Wellington OttawaON K1A ON4 OttawaON K1AON4 Canada canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une Licence non exclusive licence dowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfichelfilm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique . The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ......................... .......................................................................... 1 Chapter 1. ANANALYSIS OF THE RELIGIOUS IMPLICATIONS OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UMVERSITY OF MANITOBA .............................. 1 1 Pre-1877: Religious Factors and the Founding of the U of M 1817: Religious Beliefs and Intentions of the U of M Founding Fathers 1877: Religious Beliefs and Practices of U of M Staff and Students 2. FORTY YEARS OF CONFLlCT: IDENTIFYING FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELIGIOUS EïHOS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA ........................................................................................... 38 1877-1904 - The Amendment Factor 1876-1904- The Bryce Factor 1904-1917- The Secularist Factor 3. APA T; vYY OR PROACTIVITY ?: RELIGION AND CULTURE AT THE THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA ......................................................... 70 19 17- 1945 - The Early Years: The Marginaiization of the Colleges 1945- 19% - The Latter Years: The World at Our Doorstep 1997-2001 - The Future Years: The Idea Of A University: 200 1 4. SUMMARY AM3 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................... 106 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................ 119 Appendix 1. UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA COAT OF ARMS .................................... 123 INTRODUCTION University students constitute approxirnately one percent of the worldfspopulation. In essence, they are the powerful percentage, becoming leaders in virtually every sector of society. Therefore, the predorninant philosophy or world view of the university will contribute greatiy to the shaping of society. Many western universities, including the University of Manitoba,* were founded as religious institutions intending to have a pitive affect on students, the neighboring society and the world. This initial purpose has ken replaced wi th various perspectives on the deof the university and religious life among students, staff, and alumni. Why should an attempt be made to understand the religious ethos of an instinition like the U of M and its affect upon its members? It rnay be difficult to comprehend al1 the facets of this topic in i ts entirety, but in the words of J. R. R. Tolkien, "1t is not Our part to master al1 the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who [ive alter rnay have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule."l This study, in essence, is a11 about taking a closer look at one "field" and the significance of its religious ethos and influence among its students, staff, and alumni who have and will continue to shape society for better or for worse. * - The "University of Manitoba" wili most often be abbreviated to read "U of M." J. R. R. Tolkien. The Rewn of the King (New York: Bdlantiw Books. 1965). 190. While sorne research has ken conducteci surrounding the history of the U of M, litile attention has been given to its religious history and evolution. Yet, when the original intentions of the founders of the U of M are considered, an obvious interplay between the University as an academic institution and a center for religious practice and instruction on be O bserved. Today that relationshi p is inconspicuous. There has been drawn a dividing line between faith and reason, church and state, the academy and religious practice. The uneasy relationship continues, however, as religious colleges and students groups from vanous perspectives continue to interact wi th the university community. The scope of this thesis includes the pmess of evolution. Changes in any social institution, including the university, are inevitable. However, any drastic change in the originally proposed purpose and direction of the institution in question should be explored and analyzed. Perhaps this type of historical research is lacking because the university continues to change so lapidly. It is quickly assumed that the present and future condition of the university is what matters. In Apd of 1996 several public lectures were given entitled "The Passionate Intellect: The Idea of a University: 2001." Distinguished lectmrs explored the university of the future, envisioning the collaboration of technical and classical education. Such visions should be reminiscent of the history of the U of M. What characterized the U of M in 1877? What was the purpose of the education it offered? Were religious factors involved in the shaping and development of the University? Each of these questions deserve attention, because the present and future conditions of the U of M are contingent on its past. Stanley Hauemas of Duke University has provided an excellent scenario to consider. As a professor of religious studies, he has a unique perspective on the role of religion within academic spheres. He asserts that a dynarnic relationship does exist between religion and the university: Wany excellent historicai and critical essays have been written about what kind of relation has and ought to pertain between the church and the university. Yet this question, like so many other kinds of perennial questions, remains unresolved. Moreover, it is not even clear how one can make progress toward resolution since it is seldom clear exactly what are the issues involved, " 2 It is the aim of this research project to identify significant issues pertaining to the development of the religious ethos of the U of M. Anyone even slightly acquainted with the history of the western university is aware that a transformation has taken place. The evolution of the university from a "ChristianNto a "secularn institution is evidenced throughout North Amenca Harvard, Duke, and the U of M are just three examples. This phenornenon is worthy of further study, as Hauerwas aptly demonstrates "Why and how this transformation took place no doubt involve complex social and intellectual issues. Even if 1 had the competence to account for the Ioss of Christian control of their universi ties, that is not my primary concem. Rather, 1 am only interested in noting this change insofar as i t helps us now to face this issue of how as Christians we are to understand Our cornmitment to, and participation in, the life of the modem university."3 This study will focus on the microcosmic nature of the process described above. As the development of the religious nature of the U of M is identified and understood within the context of the University as a whole, the parallel religious involvement of its membership will become more apparent. In this present age of sectariankm and special interest groups vying for control of institutions, some may think it would be more relevant to discover who has maintained the balance of control within the U of M, and who will do so in the futme. For pragrnatic purposes this is undoubtedly of great interest to many; however, other related issues must be considered if we are to undentand the changing nature of the University. Therefore, attention will be given to the developing religious ethos, and concurrent religious involvement, of the University community. The foliowing statement alludes to a vital part of this study: "1 certainly do not believe it is possible or desirable to recapture Duke or Harvard as Christian universities. The question is not whether Duke can be Christian; but rather how Stanley Hauenuas, Chrk~ianExistence Today (Dumam. NC : The ïabyrinth Press, l988), 183. Ibid., 238. Christians should understand what they are doing as teachers, administrators, and students at Duke, Harvard, and the University of North ~arolina"4Of course, in this case, the U of M will be the focus of attention. It would be remiss to overlook the philosophical presuppositions surrounding the founding, evolution, and present condition of the U of M. Complex issues are usually involved in trying to identify factors that have contnbuted to the secularization of any given institution. Factors such as infiuentiai people, policies, and constitutional change have often thoroughly altered the philosophical