To the Editor,
This letter is to address a concern with last week’s issue of The Bulletin, and its article titled, “Jesus Would Weep.” Though it was an opinion piece, it cited “discrimination,” and inferences themes of intolerance for diversity and inclusion by allowing clubs to be selective with whom they associate. The author found it almost criminal to allow this to happen, yet is blind to their own hypocrisy. That of wanting to restrict RSOs’ freedom by their own standards, while screaming in the name of tolerance and inclusion for the rest of the student body, not wanting to restrict non-religious member’s freedoms.
What is a college to begin with? Are they not higher institutions that should be able to openly have civil debates and exchange of diverse ideas? Yes. And what is a classroom if not for this purpose? The author asks how we can ever “learn about each other and grow as individuals,” and cites the new governmental policy as unconstitutional. Regarding the latter issue, the First Amendment we have the right to free speech and expression, so that point is null. Growing as individuals can be done throughout the entire campus, through classes, talks with friends and floor mates in the dorms and by attending just about any sanctioned event put on by the university. There is an entire diversity lecture series devoted to this purpose. However, if discrimination is the true target and not a veiled attack against Christians, then one does not have to turn their attention far.
Fraternities and Sororities have discriminatory policies, being able to openly set a basis for inclusion into their organization without being called intolerant. On our university’s website under Greek life, it states that fraternities and sororities are nothing more than, “a group of friends who share common values and ideals.” The same goal of the aforementioned Christian groups on campus as well as the “Bible study (RSO),” mentioned by the author. This contradiction of allowing Greeks to operate as exclusive organizations and to induct members based on individual criteria, whereas religious organizations, such as the “Bible study (RSO),” are not able to operate in the same way. To that point, what Christian group would ban diverse students and purposefully not try and include them in their beliefs, as this is a core mission of almost every Christian denomination as stated in our policy manual, the Bible, by saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). Though if the author had attended a Bible study (RSO)” meeting, they would have “learn(ed) about what others believe about religion,” as stated in the article. If students still do not feel comfortable with this group, then anyone of the 130+ RSO’s are for their choosing, their freedom.
Thank you,
God Bless