For a while now I have hoped that people would realize that there is more to this grand adventure that we call life than what they believe.
But, alas, it has yet to happen.
I claim to be no cultural expert. I grew up in a Southern Baptist home and have never been outside the southern United States, but there is a certain degree of tolerance I expect each of us to have.
Recently, this campus has restricted Michael Venyah to the “free-speech zone.”
Now I can stand by and watch a governmental institution restrict a constitutional right under premises that are 30 years outdated with patience and indifference. But this past week broke that patience into many small fragments.
Apparently, a group of 10-15 men can hand out Bibles all around the center of campus but one preacher cannot stand on the steps of The Union shouting his beliefs. A school cannot allow this. This is hypocrisy and injustice.
Now, arguments to my case would be that the men handing out Bibles are not harassing students like Mr. Venyah does. This is true; the two differ in practice, but not in concept.
The BSU, CSA, Wiccan/Pagan Student Alliance and SPECTRUM can all hold meetings wherever they want on campus; some even have buildings devoted to them. Why are they not “restricted?”
The reason is that they are not forcing you to listen or attend. The Bible men did not force you to take a Bible and Mr. Venyah does not force you to listen to his fire and brimstone speeches.
So everyone should both just grow up and develop a little tolerance, or everything that shows the tiniest bit of religion or an alternative lifestyle should be limited to that concrete slab.
Christopher Morgan is a sophomore in history.