An independent student organization, the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club, plans to host a controversial student event involving a historical reenactment of a black mass ceremony that has a narrator providing historical context and background.
The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club has issued the following statement regarding the event:
We are hosting a reenactment of a historical event known as a Black Mass. The performance is designed to be educational and is preceded by a lecture that provides the history, context, and origin of the Black Mass. While a piece of bread is used in the reenactment, the performance unequivocally does not include a consecrated host. Our purpose is not to denigrate any religion or faith, which would be repugnant to our educational purposes, but instead to learn and experience the history of different cultural practices. This performance is part of a larger effort to explore religious facets that continue to influence contemporary culture.
Sincerely,
Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club
Students at Harvard Extension School, like students at colleges across the nation, organize and operate a number of independent student organizations, representing a wide range of student interests.
Harvard Extension School does not endorse the views or activities of any independent student organization. But we do support the rights of our students and faculty to speak and assemble freely.
In this case, we understand that this independent student organization, the Cultural Studies Club, is hosting a series of events—including a Shinto tea ceremony, a Shaker exhibition, and a Buddhist presentation on meditation—as part of a student-led effort to explore different cultures.
Questions about the event should be directed to the Cultural Studies Club at culturalstudiesclub@gmail.com.
Media inquiries should be directed to Jeff Neal, jeff_neal@harvard.edu, in the Harvard University Public Affairs and Communications Office.
This was originally posted at:http://www.extension.harvard.edu/hub/news/official-response-cultural-studies-event
Stand with Harvard Catholics 