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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 1991)
MkZ&JLies €>Wi rue REcaiv FniTHRIAI <5 Ln LJ I I il I Fm L O Editorials expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Regents. Re-evaluate sports center fee We believe that although the campus needs more recreational sports space, the new $41 million recreational sports facility will cost too much. The proposed fee of $50 per student per semester is just too high. Last week, the state Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would allow Texas A&M to charge the $50 fee when the facility opens in Fall 1994 or Spring 1995. At that time, A&M students who attended fall, spring and both summer sessions would be charged $150 per year for a building that they might never use. No one has proven that the majority of students will use the new facility that all students will pay for. The costs of education are getting out of hand, and the recre ational sports fee could be the last straw. We believe the recreational sports department should recon sider the $50 fee. The $35 fee the state Senate approved for the pro ject in 1989 is much more reasonable. The Battalion Editorial Board Mail Call The Battalion is interested in hearing from its readers and welcomes all letters to the editor. Please include name, classification, address and phone number on all letters. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for style and length. Because of limited space, shorter letters have a better chance of appearing. There is, however, no guarantee letters will appear. Letters may be brought to 216 Reed McDonald or sent to Campus Mail Stop 1111. Ask, ye shall receive EDrrOR: Having read the April 16 letter of "Kellie," I was shocked when my mind was opened and I learned that the Bible I have been living by (to the best of my ability) for the last two years is nothing but a gross misrepresentation of the original Greek and Hebrew. So I did a little research of my own. I obtained an Inter linear Greek-English New Testament. This book (and many others like it are available) pro vides the reader with the word by word translation of the original texts that Kellie claims do not specifically condemn homosexuality. Here are the results of my study: Romans 1:26-27, the original translation as given in Interlinear, and then as ren dered by the translators of the New King James Version. 26. For this reason gave up them God to passions of dis honour, both for females their changed the natural use into that contrary to nature; 27. And in like manner also the males having left the natural use of the female, were in flamed in their lust towards one another, males with males shame working out, and the recompense which was fit of their error in themselves receiving. 27. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one an other, men with men committing what is shameful, and re ceiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. Kellie wanted an "intelligent basis on which to support the argument that these (the Old and New Testaments) are accurate translations of the original text." Ask and ye shall receive. Patrick Goguen '92 Read the Bible for yourself EDITOR: After attending Dr. Helminiak's seminar concerning the Biblical perspective on homosexuality, I felt that many listeners who were homosexuals might have been mislead. Dr. Helminiak, in referring to scriptures such as Ro mans 1:18-32, failed to point out the consequences of the sins that were committed. Romans 1:32 states "who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." For those of us who are Christians, we must remember that it is not our place to judge homosexuals (Matthew 7:1), but rather to share the Bible with them and allow them the opportunity to study and fully understand the Bible for themselves. The Bible speaks for itself, but to understand what it is saying, you must read it for yourself and not rely on any one's "perspective" (Ephesians 5:5,6). Michelle Lyone '93 Stay on the sidewalks EDITOR: Sidewalks. Why do we have them? What are they for? I always have thought of sidewalks as a convenient place to walk, to keep the dirt off my shoes, to keep my feet dry when it rains or, if for no other reason, simply out of respect for the beauty of my campus. Dirt pathways though grassy areas look so unkept. But when I walk around the Texas A&M campus, I wonder. I wonder why someone put the sidewalks here. I wonder when I follow a young man across campus who never deviates from his path, straight through a line of bushes, straight through a flower bed, only touching the sidewalk when it matches his path. I wonder when I see two young women veer from their path through a hedge row only to avoid hitting a bush. I really wonder, though, when I see a man, all decked out in a business suit and shiny shoes, walking along un der an umbrella in a rain storm, who cuts the sidewalk cor ner and sloshes through a mud puddle, emerging with filthy shoes. Granted, the majority uses the sidewalks. It's only the few that keep our campus from looking neat and trim. Come on Ags, stay on the sidewalks, off the grass and out of the flower beds. Let the landscaping return to its in tended state. Be proud of your campus! William H. Charlton Jr. graduate student What if there's ample evidence? EDITOR: In response to Stephen Beck's article concerning co erced confessions: Why should coerced confessions even be allowed as evidence if there already was ample evidence to convict? Why? Gregory T. Damron '91 Change comes through the heart, not from laws n iscrimination by skin color is one of the most obscene policies our nation has ever had in place. Whether African Americans were denied access to schools, front seats in buses or water fountains, discrimination was wrong. Every American has a right to be treated as a first-class citizen. Over a period of years, and thanks to several legal battles, racial discrimination was rejected as unconstitutional. Of course, the result was a fully integrated society. I mean, that was the proposed result, wasn't it? Actually, some scholars suggest the result was not more integration, but less. When schools were required to desegregate, whites moved into the suburbs to avoid sending their children to school with their black neighbors. When busing was instituted to counter the move, parents either moved again or sent their children to private schools. B ut institutions cannot take away the hatred that causes the problem. Maybe morality can be legislated, and maybe it can't. For sure though, love cannot be legislated It appears to me that homosexuals on campus feel the brunt of hatred and discrimination. But really, which isthe symptom and which is the disease? If President Mobley could guarantee you tomorrow that no one could legal) discriminate against you, would that make everyone treat you with respect! I seriously doubt it. 66 / believe that homosexuality is sin. But let me recommend that whoever among you is without sin should cast the first stone. 9* When the nation's bus lines experienced equality in seating, the same phenomena was seen. Of course, the airplane came along at the right time to keep those with superiority complexes from having to mingle with the minorities on the buses and in the depots. But, if it hadn't been for the plane, it would have been the train or some other escape. What's the point? As awful as segregation was, it wasn't the problem. It was merely a symptom. The disease was hatred. Institutional actions have no way to keep people from being treated as second-class citizens. Sure, they can prohibit discrimination, and they can even set quotas in an attempt to draw minorities into mainstream society. They even can award huge money settlements in attempts to make reparations. On the other hand, where are the people who claim to serve the Godwin is the author of love? Can we really afford to bash away "til Kingdom come?" Of course I'll go on the record! 1 believe that homosexuality is sin. But let me recommend that whoever among you is without sin should cast the first stone. There is only one way to change people. It can't be done by outlawing discrimination. That's already been tried; it failed miserably. But people aren't changed by hurlifl) stones, either. Just look at how much success we've had using that tactic. The only way people are changed is through a transformation of the heart. Tim Truesdale is a graduate studentii urban planning. Thursda] Sc Mar A&I Texas A< are studyii a breed oi meat with can sell for on the Jape Dr. Dav search scie Research C been stuc cattle for fi Marbling of fat in th< beef. Marl the meat il prefer mea cause of it! which Lun in any othe "This is like this ha side of Jaj world," Lu He said strictions o pan when years ago. ever, was searching bling in cat Lunt saic search, the eralized, ai to Japan be Though is still rese; to develop agement sy can produc cifically for he said. "It's a lai dollars, nol he said. C The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Lisa Ann Robertson, Editor —845-2647 Kathy Cox, Managing Editor — 845-2647 J ennifer J effus, Opinion Page Editor — 845-3314 Chris Vaughn, City Editor —845-3316 Keith Sartin, Richard Tijerina, News Editors — 845-2665 Alan Lehmann, Sports Editor — 845-2688 Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director — 845-3312 Kristin North, Life Style Editor — 845-3313 Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-sup porting newspaper 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 represent the opin ions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is published daily, except Saturday, Sunday, holidays, exam periods, and when school is not in session during fail and spring semesters; publication is Tuesday through Friday during the summer session. Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year: 845-2611. Advertising rates furnished on re quest: 845-2696. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed Mc Donald, Texas A&M University, College Sta tion, TX 77843-1111. Second class postage paid at College Sta tion, TX 77843. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843- 4111. the itch by Nito