2008 Woodie Awards
Let faith be decided on own
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: Rocket Letters
To the Editor:
"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church."
It seems that there is a holy war between editorials in the Slippery Rock University newspaper. However, while this reason versus faith debate rages on, I will speak my mind as well. The words above are the words of Thomas Paine, American revolutionary and Enlightenment thinker. Paine was a great American, but his views on religion devastated his popularity and he died a hated man. I hope I can continue his legacy in these words without receiving complaints.
While I disagree with the religious views of both Michael Goodwin and Josh Bortnik, I hope to be the most sensible of the three. Let me begin by dissecting the argument of Mr. Goodwin, the great all-knowing and all-seeing English major. "All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
I do not mean by this declaration to condemn those who believe otherwise; they have the same right to their belief as I have to mine. But it is necessary to the happiness of man, that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe."
Heed these words, Mr. Goodwin. All people have the right to speak what they believe and what they do not. One does not have exclusivity in this institution. According to your own logic, you defy it. You mention that you "always try to give people and their beliefs a chance," however you quickly negate that comment by claiming a sense of superiority over Mr. Bortnik because of his creeping religiosity. If one does not wish to read an article, you have the right not to read it. Mr. Goodwin, it is not the sole reason of higher education to learn theories and ideas, but rather to also respect and listen to other views, no matter if you disagree or agree. I disagree with Mr. Bortnik's views strongly, but at the same time I will not judge him for his examinations.
"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church."
It seems that there is a holy war between editorials in the Slippery Rock University newspaper. However, while this reason versus faith debate rages on, I will speak my mind as well. The words above are the words of Thomas Paine, American revolutionary and Enlightenment thinker. Paine was a great American, but his views on religion devastated his popularity and he died a hated man. I hope I can continue his legacy in these words without receiving complaints.
While I disagree with the religious views of both Michael Goodwin and Josh Bortnik, I hope to be the most sensible of the three. Let me begin by dissecting the argument of Mr. Goodwin, the great all-knowing and all-seeing English major. "All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
I do not mean by this declaration to condemn those who believe otherwise; they have the same right to their belief as I have to mine. But it is necessary to the happiness of man, that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe."
Heed these words, Mr. Goodwin. All people have the right to speak what they believe and what they do not. One does not have exclusivity in this institution. According to your own logic, you defy it. You mention that you "always try to give people and their beliefs a chance," however you quickly negate that comment by claiming a sense of superiority over Mr. Bortnik because of his creeping religiosity. If one does not wish to read an article, you have the right not to read it. Mr. Goodwin, it is not the sole reason of higher education to learn theories and ideas, but rather to also respect and listen to other views, no matter if you disagree or agree. I disagree with Mr. Bortnik's views strongly, but at the same time I will not judge him for his examinations.
