The Christian Coalition does not represent all Christianity

The author of a column last week in The Diamondback (“The wholly wrong approach,” Thursday), made several important points about the religious community and I commend him for it. The Christian Coalition, despite its name, does not represent all of Christianity. It often has the loudest voice, claiming to be a representation of all that is morally correct. The fact is, a large and growing population of Christians believe helping the poor is as big of a moral issue as are “social issues.”

Economic, social, and racial justice are a major concern of people who follow Jesus because they challenge us to truly love our neighbors. Abortion and “the souls of homosexuals” are not the only things Christians care about. It may be a shock to some, but a lot of Christians are not passionately against gay rights, though Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson would like to make it seem that way.

Some of us even believe in evolution! I agree with the columnist; the religious community needs to take a stand against groups like the Christian Coalition. I am tired of the far-right end of Christianity being the voice of a postmodern generation of Christians, who are seeking to find answers not on the traditional liberal-conservative spectrum, but actually somewhere above it.

Brian Gorman

Sophomore

Music

Column forgets: Smokers are people, too

The “thou shalt smoke or not smoke in bars” discussion is a tired one. In light of the recent Prince George’s County Council vote, smoking will be officially banned in our local bars, which means no lighting up your Parliaments, Newpies, Camels or Marbs in any of our city’s fine establishments.

While I respect Friday’s informative guest column “Vanishing Smoke,” I must interject, providing some perspective and necessary voice for College Park smokers.

The American Heart Association’s study, which many cite as the end-all, be-all on secondhand smoke, is a farce and incredibly flawed. Many of us are quick to glance over the results of the research rather than the method itself. Specific results were needed in time to pass anti-smoking legislation, and the AHA was pressured to release information decrying the “harmful” effects of secondhand smoke. This meant the attempts to discover the effects of secondhand smoke were not only rushed, but exaggerated. Many doctors testify this study is not one to be heavily relied upon and request a better, more effective study in its place. The AHA isn’t even our primary health association. Americans trust the Red Cross.

I must also appeal to the psychological aspect of smoking. Our country is constantly attempting to make silly reforms to appease anyone who feels offended or violated. Those who smoke are simply indulging in a vice and taking a break from the stresses of life. Who are we to take the cigarette out of any American’s mouth? The guest column’s author proposes outdoor patios, which would certainly be beneficial towards the populace as a whole, yet, we’re still forcing these individuals out in the cold.

Recognize smokers aren’t the problem. Emissions from factories and cars are far worse than cigarette smoke. Our country, especially our government, wants us to point the finger at each other and at tobacco companies, rather than at national environmental policies.

The author also suggests Heather Crowe, a waitress, received cancer from the smokers at her restaurant. Track star Florence Griffith Joyner, or FloJo, died when in perfect health. This case doesn’t have enough information to support it, yet like the AHA study, we jump for the results before acquiring proper research. Don’t get swept up by the banter. As long as we allow ourselves to buy in to these absurdities, there’s no telling to what we’ll lose. What will they ban next?

Eric Ferencz

Senior

English