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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 1989)
The Battalion OPINION 2 ho>^n R^r ...and we worried about people burning the £Ia^... Mail Call Catholics deserve more respect EDITOR: Wow! Columnist Matt McBurnett has finally done it, for I can no longer contain my opinions regarding his article titled “Catholic stance on birth control needs reversing.” I am not Catholic myself, but I think that the Church and its followers deserve more respect than Matt gave them in his ethnocentric blabber. First, Catholics behave nobly when they choose not to use birth control out of their belief in the sacredness of life. Second, the majority of the blame for starvation in third- world countries lies with regimes that would rather wallow in their own corruption and use hunger as a means of power than feed the people. You know as well as I that the earth is capable of producing more than enough food for everyone, if only governments would distribute the food properly. The stories of stockpiles of waiting food in warehouses in third- world countries are true, so why do you point the finger at Society is changing for the better Twenty-five years ago a movement of people attracted the attention of the world. The Civil Rights movement birthed a new nation of people, a new culture that we know as the Afro-Amer ican race. Many changes have come about for the good of all in these times of racial harmony. During the 80s, many still say, “We as a people still aren’t free from ra cial injustice and economic poverty.” Discussing some of the problems will bring about an awareness, but it defi nitely will not solve them now or in the future. In a nation of many ethnic back grounds, have we truly achieved the sta tus that we deserve, or -are we stereo typed as a people of corruption and ignorance in the eyes of others? Today many opportunies have given us all chances to strive in a competitive world that has no bounds against people of a different color or religion. The pro gress of minorities in the business world has been overwhelming in the past de cade as Blacks and Hispanics have achieved high-ranking political status. “Things have changed a lot since the 60s, because society is more open to new views and ideas,” said Rodney Moseley, a black freshman business major from Austin. Racial discrimination has become an underlying problem in America. In stead of being openly protested it is masked from public view. This could have an effect on people who are socia lly dependent on those who are preju dice. The problem of stereotyping people of different backgrounds has played a part in some of the troubles that plague our society at large. We all, is some way or another, deal with stereotyping of some sort in our daily lives. “When people find out that I’m at tending Texas A&M, they’re surprised as if it’s not possible,” said Gerald Bailey Jr., a black junior chemistry major. Achieveing goals in America today has a new definition that does not put a stipulation who can or will succeed in life. These changes have come on grad ually, but they have arrived almost un noticed. New heights have been reached by women as well, to indicate the chang ing roles of women as a productive and important part in our society that is con- tinously changing. “Women as a group have come a long way from not being considered a part of the working community,” Tina Robison, a sophomore accounting major, said. Women are subjected to many obsta cles while trying to gain a positive status in the business world, problems such as being a single parent or even trying to cope with the roles women are per ceived to play. These distractions cause some to be discouraged from the true goals they have set for themselves. Reverting back to the past and some of its instances, I can see the changes that have taken place. Positive changes that enable all races and religions to at tain those inspirations that were only dreamed of two decades ago. Discrimi nation of sex, color or religion during these times could serve as a purpose to achieve our goals in a more assertive way. The prejudice we experience today can hinder us in some ways, but it also can help us better ourselves. We as a na tion have become less vulnerable to prejudices that cause the country to go into a tailspin of turmoil. “It’s great to see that everyone has the chance to succeed, because it produces competition which is a solid foundation for productivity in America,” sopho more John Beck said. The growth of America in its mental aspects has been overwhelming in the 80s. Some racial conflicts have come and gone, but as a whole society, Black Americans and other minorities have taken a giant leap towards a better America, which will effect all of us in a powerful way. Even though the gains have been small, we look to the future for more positive advances to occur in a society that is changing for the better. Twenty-five years ago began an era of unity, a unity that gives new meaning to Americans, not as separate cultures, but as an undivided nation. Curtis Franks is a freshman general studies major and a clerk for The Bat talion. Religious prejudice needs to be avoide Catholicism, Matt? Has Catholicism ruined the standards of living in Spain, Italy and France, countries with predominantly Catholic populations, as you sayit inevitably must? I propose that we act together as fellow human beings, (stop calling the beliefs of others “mistakes”and “screw-ups,” Matt) and try to work on feasible solutions to make governments more responsible, while lettingeveryone believe in his own ideals. After everyone gets his chance to survive, then let’sjust all be friends, and “dolunch” as often as we can. Also, Matt, although I am an electrical engineering major myself, I do not enjoy acting like a know-it-all. Well, then again Steve Lau ’91 Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s intent. Each letter must be signed and must include the classification, address and telephone number of the writer. Howdy Ags! I’m here with a response to the July 26 column by Mr. Matt Mc Burnett. He is hopelessly wrong in his statements. He mentions the myth of the population explosion as proposed by Malthus and attempts to scare us into believing that our greatest enemies are the Catholics who are going to consume our food supply and leave us starving, destitute and hungry. I stopped and laughed at this point, because the very idea is ludicrous. Let me first fix his lies, and then I have something important to say. I refer to the population explosion as a myth because that is exactly what it is. Time and again it has been proven that the birth rate levels off as a society be comes developed and industrialized. I would also like to suggest, Mr. McBur nett, that you not limit yourself to the selective examples you used to prove your point. If you look at all the under developed countries in the world, you will find the same population density but a variety of religions. Catholics have no special claims on procreation. As for food, the capability exists to more than feed the entire world. We produce enough grain for every person on this earth to have a loaf of bread ev ery week of every year. No, Mr. McBur nett, world hunger is not a population problem, it is a political problem. Let me now fix your twisted view of the Catholic stance on contraception. It has been the Church’s position that Catholics should avoid artificial means of contraception. You state that the rhythm method was discouraged. This is not true. For those of you unfamiliar with the rhythm method, let me explain. The Catholic Church used to teach a method of natural contraception based on the idea that a woman is fertile only once a month; thus by counting the days from the end of her period, a couple could determine when it would be possi ble to safely engage in intercourse. There was a problem with this: it was less than 50 percent effective, and there are many “rhythm babies” as living proof. Albert Babin Guest Columnist nancial reasons why a woman shoi not become pregnant, then artifialo traception may be in order. Methods that are abortive, suclif lUDs and contraception as an exca for casual sexual relations outsideof marriage covenant, are unaccepta: However, there are mechanical me; such as condoms, which thecouplec choose in some circumstances. ; point is that our sexuality is a giftfr.: Cod, and we are responsible formal informed decisions regarding it. Now this is fime and well, but Mr.) Burnett’s column points to a prol greater than contraception: relig prejudice. When I was a freshman here, 1 rudely and abruptly awakened tot fact that there is a good bit of prejudi toward Catholics. I have heard different things concerning what we!r lieve or don’t believe, and it nevercea to amaze me how many people are! the business to publish lies aboutt Catholic faith. Someone once that because I am a Catholic, 1 havtuj hope of getting into heaven. 1 event a pamphlet where the author, a k| fallen television evangelist, “provet how evil we Catholics are by prop lies about our faith and then discu the errors. Of course it was in error! was a lie to begin with! “The Big Lie.” Say it loud enou| and long enough and people wil to believe. Throw enough mud ata j and some of it will stick. Hitler usei' on the Jews. The Chinese are curreij trying to use it. “No, there was nor sacre.” This propagation of lies'! Catholics, or any religion, is thei thing. So what does all my rambling nK anyway? Just this: please, please, ple< get your facts straight. Don’t belio Today, the Catholic church advocates not this old method, but a newer one called natural family planning. It is based on biological factors such as ob servation of the woman’s mucus flow and body temperature variations. This means there is about one week out of the whole month that is not sefe because an egg is present. The United Nations did a study and found that this method is about 98 percent effective. Of course starvation is not a Christian policy, and that is the only point where I agree with Mr. McBurnett. The Catho lic Church strongly advocates family planning to provide the best environ ment for both the child and the couple. The suggested method is natural family planning. The final decision, though, does lie with the actual married couple. If, for example, the woman’s cycle is ir regular, or there are health or even fi- what you read or hear about us Cali lies. If you want to know about ourfaiil just ask us! Don’t depend on charlaij who introduce and perpetuate lies.S»| pose you find a Catholic who does know or can’t give you a satisfactoni swer, then find one who has hadbem religious schooling. The best solution to talk to a Catholic priest. Not everyone agrees with the Calk lie viewpoint. This is just fine; youdot | have to. Religion is a choice you itt and no one has the righ to forced beliefs on anyone. But rejecting us fore you actually know what we prod and why is a condemnation of yound by your own ignorance. Albert Babin is a senior compu" science major. As with all colu0 opinions expressed by Guest CoM ists are not necessarily those of I- Battalion. Persons interested in d, mitting guest columns should conn the Opinion Page Editor at 845-33U The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Ellen Hobbs, Editor Juliette Rizzo, Opinion Page Editor Fiona Sdltes, City Editor Drew Leder, Chuck Squatriglia, News Editors Steven Merritt, Sports Editor Kathy Haveman, Art Director Hal Hammons, Makeup Editor Editorial PoT icy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspa per operated as a community service to Texas A&M and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board or the author, and do not necessarily rep resent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, fac ulty or the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photography classes within the Department of Journalism. 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