George is right. This is bigotry squared. Imagine, if you will, an exhibit that links together Islamic crescents and calls it the "Shackles of Terrorism," or a collage of pink triangles entitled "Shackles of Sin," or a Star of David interspersed with dollar signs named "Shackles of World Poverty." There is absolutely no chance you would see "art" like this at Princeton or anywhere else. But Christians are fair game. Historian Peter Viereck once said that "anti-Catholicism is the anti-Semitism of the intellectuals."
If Princeton is serious about showing equal respect for all, Dean Slaughter should do one of two things: either apologize or explain why defaming Catholics is acceptable while an attack on anyone else is a conduct code violation.
For further reading and information:
Anne Morse, "They Call It Art," National Review Online, May 30, 2003.
Jordan L. Hylden and John H. Jernigan, "Leaning Ivory Tower," Harvard Political Review, June 8, 2003.
Philip Jenkins, The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice (Oxford University Press, 2003).
Paul Baumann, "Grace under Pressure," Washington Post Book World, June 1, 2003, BW03.
Karlyn Barker, "Artwork Called Too Religious for Rotunda," Washington Post, May 31, 2003, B01.
BreakPoint Commentary No. 030328, "What Made Leonardo the Oz?: Western Art and Christianity." (Archived commentary; free registration required.)
The BreakPoint "Christians in the Arts" kit includes two books to equip artists, and those interested in the arts, with ideas and inspiration for influencing the culture: It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God (Square Halo Books, 2000) by Ed Bustard (editor) and others, and Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts (InterVarsity, 2001) by Steve Turner.