Dear Horizon,
I considered writing after I noticed the inclusion of the “Illustrated Bible” in the previous issue of The Horizon.
However, when I found it again appearing in the most recent issue, I have come to believe it may be intended to be a permanent inclusion, and I must write to express my outrage at what appears to be the assumption that a paper funded — at least in part — by the Student Activity Fees of a diverse student population is a proper venue to promote the views of any one religious text without the intentional inclusion of other views.
I would venture to guess that there exists considerable diversity among the student body in matters relating to spirituality and religion, and your choice lacks respect for that diversity.
It would not be my intention to deny anyone the right to practice their beliefs however they choose — provided they do not expect me to fund those activities.
However, if you were to include texts from the other great religions of the world, I might find it to be interesting and would be willing to support such a discourse.
In conclusion, I will say I do not take this matter lightly. I am personally insulted by what I view as a marked lack of respect for me personally and for any student who does not accept Christian theology as the ultimate truth in their lives.
If you truly wish to be a voice for the student body of this university and not simply a playground for the editors of your paper to advocate their personal views, I would ask you remove this from subsequent publication or at the very least present it in a context that is more
inclusive.
— Steve Amos education sophomore
Dear Horizon,
On the first day of school, I grabbed The Horizon to pass the time before my class started. As always, I automatically opened the paper to the Diversions section, ready for a quick joke and to work the crossword puzzle. Much to my dismay, what did I notice right off the bat but a bible verse? As an atheist, I thought this was quite a strange thing to place in the very first issue of the new semester. However, I was willing to give it a pass, hoping that perhaps it was just a poorly explained new feature that would, at least, be celebrating diversity in a time when a pastor in Florida was waiting to burn Qurans on Sept. 11.
Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case. At a school that celebrates the fact that a large proportion of students fall in the non-traditional category, the very first issue of the school paper — paid for in part by the Student Activity Fees of all students and not just the Christian ones — and indeed every following paper I was able to grab on my way to class has featured an illustrated Christian bible quote. I hope The Horizon will consider the feelings of its non-Christian students and recognize that bible verses — and only Bible verses — in every paper might not be the way to make all of us feel welcome.
If I may suggest an alternative quote, “To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.” — Thomas Jefferson, Statute for Religious Freedom, 1779.
— Emily Sullivan psychology senior