On our glorious campus, it is disgraceful to see so depressing and appalling a sight as one that many saw on Nov. 1. What was this sight that shocked and offended many? Men with shirts stating, "Gay? Go To Hell." When several of us went up to a couple of the men trying to see what their point was, their reply was that they were trying to take the attention away from the "Gay? Fine by me" shirts. How did these shirts do this? How do they portray a message besides one of judgment and prejudice? Regardless of personal opinion, we learn in the Catholic teachings that man is not perfect, and one of the many lessons that Jesus teaches is that one should not judge others for no one is perfect. Since these men were using the Catholic religion for their reasons, they should follow one of the most popular doctrines of the Catholic religion: We should accept others as they are and not judge, for who are we to judge?
Furthermore, they stated that they didn't want groups like the Core Council to be part of the organizations on this campus because they promoted intercourse between homosexuals. If that was the case then why do we have SYRs and other dances? Don't they promote interaction and dating that in most cases leads to intercourse between girls and boys in the long run? What is the difference besides the sex of the couples? That is not a logical reason.
This shirt was also disrespectful because this campus is home for many students and as a home, why should the homosexuals and their friends on this campus be forced to endure such prejudice? Why should they endure being told by people that don't even know them that they will go to hell in their home? There is a freedom of speech that each person has a right to but to what extent does one have this right if he impedes on a person's right to a home? Though there were other aspects of the conversation, most were so deficient in factual content and overbearing in their ignorance that they are not worth mentioning. There is one thing that it all comes down to: Whether it is a Catholic university, or a religious discussion, whether it is, in our opinion, right or wrong, we have no right to judge.
Cinthya MabeesophomoreLyons HallNov. 2
