Boroughs and BOT should read this

So, Chesterton is suggesting that God (or the Virgin Mary on His/Her behalf) intercedes on behalf of one side or the other in battle? I guess you are suggesting that, had HC kept the crusader imagery, there would be supernatural help with play calling and our quarterbacks' ability to read defenses? That would be nice, and, if true might give rise to a new quip that "there are no atheists in the film room."

As a semi-serious side note and apologize in advance if this gets the thread side-tracked, during a Class Chair/Correspondent meeting during Homecoming week, one of the Class Chairs made reference to Professor Liew (as I recall did not mention his specific name) and talked about the controversial theology professor only to be shot down immediately by either Fr. Campbell (VP of Mission) or another administrator [my view was blocked but sounded like and voice came from the direction of Campbell] who immediately corrected "religious studies professor" with a tone that seemed to imply "we don't teach theology here anymore" and " therefore anything can be taught here." Again, just my take and perhaps showing my own bias it did not seem to sit well with the crowd. 

Holy Cross has not had a Theology Department for at least as long as my interest in attending.  While in high school, I recall reading about Holy Cross in a guide published by, I think, the New York Times, which refered to the change of the name of the department from Theology to Religious Studies a few years earlier as a sign that the school was not as stodgy as it once was.  So the distinction Fr. Campbell (or whomever) was making is not new. It's 40 plus or minus years old and is not a development or distinction the college started making in the last few years.

For some perspective, in 1981, when I matriculated, there was no requirement for any religion course, much less one in Catholic Theology.  And the department taught a lot more than strict Catholic dogma then.  I took a Religious Studies class taught by Bernard Cooke (a former Jesuit) who more than suggested that artificial birth control could be beneficial in the context of a Catholic Christian marriage.

I also took an English class taught by a Jesuit that included reading "The Last Temtation of Christ" where Jesus experiences all kinds of human feelings including lust.  And I was exposed to far more radical religious ideas as well in and out of the classroom.

And despite all that and having never taken a class in Catholic Dogma, somehow I graduated with deeper understanding of my own Catholic faith and what it means to live that faith becasue I was challenged to think about it, not because I was told what was acceptable to think.  And I try my best to continue to live that faith today.  I believe the same thing was happening for hundreds of alumni for years before I got there and continues for students today.

Oh, and for the record, the Religious Studies department offers many theology classes including many in Catholic/Christian Theology including Mary in Christian Theology, Catholicism, Contemporary Catholic Spirituality, Christian Sacraments, Jesuit Spirituality, and more.

Holy Cross graduates can go on and study for advanced degrees in the field of religion at any university other choice precisely because of the change from theology (teaching about a particular belief) to religious studies, which is an academic discipline.

Webster's:

Ahhh, an obvious generation gap. In the 15 year difference in our classes, there were many changes. Co-ed, drop in theology (we were required, at minimum, to take classes in both Old and New Testament, as I recall). I too, took a class with a former, married Jesuit. No doubt, we were all more stodgy in the 60's. We even had to take 5 classes a semester, not 4. Oh, for the days of the seminary!