Something for something
This letter is in response to the hasty judgment that the Bookstore’s NCAA March Madness bracket contest should be considered gambling because you get something for nothing. While some might pick their teams based on their seed or if they like their colors/mascots, I spent many an hour researching my teams and picking my bracket, and to insinuate that all my efforts were “nothing” is a little demeaning. In fact, my research has helped me to do very well, having picked Georgetown to beat Ohio State and Wichita State to beat Tennessee. So there.
Logan Schultz
Livonia, Mich.
Honor Code rewrite right
I would like to express my support for Adam Belnap’s recent letter about revising the Honor Code. In my experience here, I have also noticed that there seems to be much more emphasis placed on dress and grooming standards compared to other aspects of the Honor Code, such as academic honesty and “doing good to all men.” Not to say that these are treated as unimportant, but for whatever the reason, it seems the “powers that be” are more concerned with appearances than attitudes.
What’s worse, wearing a dress that doesn’t quite reach the knees or making inappropriate judgments about someone because they do? Ever tried checking out a book if you haven’t shaved within 24 hours? Impossible! But it’s no problem for gossipers, liars and addicts to take advantage of BYU’s services as long as they’ve got a tidy haircut and shorn face. The Honor Code also serves as a dividing point for Mormons who go to church schools and Mormons who don’t, who tend to view the Honor Code as a self-righteous amendment to the actual commandments.
As Jesus once explained that “the Sabbath was created for man, and not man for the Sabbath,” we should realize that the Honor Code was created to help us, not for us to be subservient to it. We have the right to revise the Honor Code and put importance back on what’s important – living the commandments and being true Christians. Sure, we can look nice and clean for the outside world, but what good does it serve if the inner vessel remains uncleansed?
Joel Baer
Kennewick, WA
Mind your own business
About Wednesday’s letter, “Get ready to enlist,” it makes me very impatient when I hear people critique the war in Iraq. I think it’s very selfish to not try to do anything to help other countries, even through military action if necessary. Someone has to do something when tyranny arises.
What would have happened if the world had let Hitler have it his way? If you have the attitude of “let’s mind our own business,” then you do that. Keep it to yourself and mind your own business. I am willing to put my life on the line, and I will be there doing my job with the Army “by the time we occupy Myanmar.” If you are not willing to do anything, then step aside and let alone those who want to help.
Adrian Alvarez
Provo
Talk with Soulforce folks
I write this letter in response to Janet Scharman’s e-mail, and Wednesday’s editorial on Soulforce. I would like to add some thoughts regarding showing true respect and love.
In the first place, “soulforce” is a beautiful term that I feel is used completely out of context, since the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. (the man who coined the term) was fighting against real oppression, and Soulforce is fighting against an imagined enemy, much like Don Quixote.
BYU and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have never uttered “anti-gay rhetoric.” This church and its affiliates have spread a message that is widely seen to be one of love, tolerance, equality and (once again) love.
Finally, I encourage all of us to be as Ammon and his brothers. Instead of fearing to offend, I believe we should pray for opportunities to have good, open conversations with the Equality Riders. And in faith, filled with the Spirit, we should go up to them. I personally would like to understand their viewpoint, and I would like to show them that as children of God, they are worthy of a love that may be far beyond what they have ever imagined.
Why should we hide? Why should we hide this candle under a bushel?
Jared Garrett
Anchorage, Alaska
Listen to Soulforce folks
I appreciated Wednesday’s editorial encouraging us to respond civilly and respectfully to the presence of Soulforce on campus in April. However, while we are patting ourselves on the back for our “Christian” attitude of tolerance, it seems that we are merely pursuing a self-interested attempt to maintain an image and, as the Universe’s editorial stated, “take the higher road.” Although the e-mail sent to all students so kindly assured us that “no one is under any obligation to visit with or listen to a member of this group,” perhaps the true higher road would be to listen to and recognize the importance of the message Soulforce is trying to communicate to us.
Regardless of personal views or religious convictions regarding such lifestyle choices, it is imperative that we recognize there are many people in the church and at BYU who struggle with the stigma and condemnation associated with their sexuality. Soulforce’s agenda may not correspond directly with the church’s approach to homosexuality, but both have in common an interest in and love for all of our brothers and sisters, and both advocate acceptance of individual agency and personal understanding of God’s will.
It is ironic that the Universe and BYU’s administration are encouraging us to follow President Hinckley’s counsel and treat the Equality Riders with love and respect, while overlooking Soulforce’s underlying goal of seeking love and respect for the GLBT people the organization represents. We might consider that a more Christian approach would be to seek to understand the reality of the oppression and persecution faced by these people in homogeneous societies like our own and to grant them the humanity they deserve.
Katherine Fisher
Salt Lake City
Who is judging who?
Lisa Ruefenacht’s viewpoint “Mormons accepting Mormons” made a good point that we are all aware of. Is it fair to judge? Who is judging who, the people who constantly feel that way, or the people who are judged for judging?
The truth is we all judge. Let’s just accept that fact. Even in the midst of my huge diversity of friends, from my more “preppy” friends to the ones that change their hair color bi-weekly, I choose my favorites. In fact, whilst writing this in the library, a girl walked in and the first thing I thought was that her shirt was cut a little too low and we could never be friends. Judgmental? Yes. We all do it, including those who are “judged.”
Perhaps what we all need is a little more acceptance. It’s not a bad thing to understand more than one point of view. We’re all human, so let’s expect the imperfections others have and be prepared to accept them. We don’t have to participate in the same actions as our peers. We don’t have to be the same. Nobody has the same set standard of modesty; some peoples’ line is a few inches further out. Move on and let the general authorities set general standards. That’s their jurisdiction.
Tay Alston
Mesa, Ariz.
Offended and guilty?
I suspect that a great many self righteous e-mailers wrote in to condemn Lisa Ruefenacht for her viewpoint on Wednesday about acceptance. I grew up in an environment much like the one Lisa describes, so I am well aware of what it is like to learn to be a strong member of the church in the face of so much opposition. I personally agree with her statements, although I would suggest some other thoughts in addition.
The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who judge others unfairly are really condemning themselves. They will be judged as harshly as they judge others. However, if we are offended by the things that someone says, then are we perhaps guilty in our hearts? Some of the things that Lisa mentioned that members of the church judge each other unfairly on are things that President Hinckley has spoken out directly against. They may seem small, but they are truth nonetheless, and no truth is really small.
Part of judging others fairly is learning to look past their faults even when they may hurt us. Each of us must look at ourselves and determine the strength of our testimony to do what is right, whether that means accepting others for their weaknesses or being willing to admit our own.
James Eagar
Boston, Mass.
