Religion and politics
I thought it was ironic that the letters by Todd Barfuss and Stephen Robbins had something in common. Their positions on the political spectrum are apparently opposite, but they agree that religion and politics are independent of one another. In the real world, they have a strong affect on one another. There is an attempt to segregate our lives into two segments: what we do on Sunday and what we do the rest of the week.
I agree with the position of the church that one can be a good member regardless of their political preference, but I’m tired of the attitude that one is ignorant if they let the words of revelation influence their political stances. I’m not hateful and I wouldn’t care about the issue, but Pres. Hinckley made the statement that we should support legislation that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. If Robbins thinks we don’t have room to say who should be allowed to be married or not, he should complain about it to President Hinckley. Vote how you want, but as for me and … (well, I don’t have a house), I’ll follow the prophet.
Shawn Curtis
Nibley
Charity over rhetoric
I would like to extend my hearty congratulations to those writers who have effectively hijacked the debate over homosexuality. Now a man is either a hateful, venom-filled bigot for condemning homosexuality or a beastly caricature for participating in it — all thanks to you. Reason and moderation do not appear to be highly valued attributes among our friendly neighborhood ideologues.
Unfortunately, some of us seem to have heard “love the sinner and hate the sin” so much that they apparently refuse to believe that it is possible, preferring either to vilify homosexuals or homosexuality’s opponents. Never mind that the rest of BYU’s population might actually value charity over cheap rhetorical tricks and slanted ideologies. Never mind that the analogy between Joseph Smith’s plural marriages and homosexuality is little more than a gross politicization of a complex historical issue and an oversimplification of the crudest brand.
But on second thought, cool-headedness lacks the blood sport intensity that “letters to the editor” readers have come to know and love.
Russell Stevenson
Afton, Wyo.
Homosexuality is Christ-like
To be Christ-like is to obey the will of God, to bridle passions, seek to serve others, and be an example for truth and righteousness. The view that homosexuals follow such a high standard is ridiculous, and this is the problem with “supporting” gay marriage. Some, in their zeal to protect the “rights” of all actually lose focus of what is truly right.
This nation was set apart by the Lord, we know that. We also know that this nation is promised to prosper only if we keep the commandments of the Lord.
Some say that the government should not interfere with someone’s right to choose, that this is a moral issue. Moral issues are the center of civilization — not traffic, education or even gun laws. We need to make a stand as citizens of this country. We need to push for what is moral and good, not for things that are popular or maybe seen as “rights.” I would hope that as members of the church that we do not judge, but instead, teach by our words and our example what is right in the sight of God. That, Mr. Robbins and all of you who think likewise, is what Christ would do.
Richard Sedwick
Harrisonburg, Va.
Impossible privacy
In Mr. Harker’s letter printed Oct. 20, he asserts that, “BYU does not sell student information to spammers.” Maybe not to “spammers,” but certainly to those running broad, electronic mail based marketing campaigns.
In an e-mail from University Communications dated Sept. 19, I learned that my e-mail address was information that BYU could, “disclose to the public without the consent of the student.” At the end of the e-mail, students are informed they can restrict who this information is given to if they file a written request, “on or before the tenth day of a semester.” The 19th was the 22nd day of the semester, so there was then no way a student could prevent BYU from sharing his or her e-mail address.
This late decision to tell students how to prevent the university from selling their information is the cause of some of the other spam students are complaining about. In my opinion, the only reason not tell students how to protect their privacy and their in-boxes in a timely matter is to increase the profit of selling e-mail lists of students to private companies. Perhaps if Mr. Harker spent less time correcting “hyperbole” and “misinformation,” he would have had time to help students avoid receiving these messages.
Scott Ellis
Tallahassee, Fla
Stop the fake smiles
In response to the letter “Where is the joy?” all I have to say is, get over it. Frankly, if a complete stranger comes up to me on campus with a plastered smile on their face and says “hi,” all the while secretly playing some twisted “Wives of Stepford” game, I am either going to either ignore them or return their smile with a scowl.
The fake “I care about everyone!” attitude is so nauseating. First of all, to think that everyone should return your unwanted smile is just ridiculous. I grew up in a large city where if you made eye contact with the wrong person long enough, you have the possibility of getting beat up. So I feel really uncomfortable and even defensive when strangers approach me this way.
Secondly, it’s none of your business if I choose not to smile back. Maybe I had a horrible day and don't feel like putting on a really-happy-go-lucky-ain’t-the-world-swell face for you. So don’t put yourself on a pedestal of self-righteousness by acting like a goody-goody smile freak and throwing a scripture quotation at people who don’t return your same smile of superficiality.
Larissa Estes
Frisco, Texas
Library not Thought Police
The editorial on Tuesday concerning enforcing the Honor Code attempted to make an analogy using two very different situations. The book “1984” describes a society with citizens who have the choice to comply with all the rules of the government or be tortured and brainwashed in order to ensure obedience. Some people may think that does sound like BYU, however the difference is that we all made the choice to be here.
When we applied to BYU we signed the Honor Code, which means we agreed to live by it. It is misleading to say that organizations on campus trying to find ways of enforcing the Honor Code are akin to the “Thought Police” attempting to control all aspects of our lives. The Honor Code is a set of rules, not an ideal that would be nice to follow. Those who blatantly disregard the Honor Code in dress and grooming on campus are subject to the consequences of their actions, and have no right to complain that they are being mistreated.
Pamela Washburn
Elkhart, Ind.
Campus deer problem
Some time ago, I was walking home from campus in the middle of the day. Classes were in session, which eliminated foot traffic by the MARB, where I was walking. All of a sudden I heard a loud noise behind me.
There was not even time to look back before a deer bolted past me, about a foot away. This scared the living daylight out of me. I could have been seriously injured. BYU needs to take the problem of deer on campus seriously before someone gets hurt.
Jason Wright
Orem
Copyright Brigham Young University 27 Oct 2005
