Royal Purple

Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Opinion

A pamphlet distributed in Whitewater by the Pilgrims Covenant Church.

Vlisides [Click to enlarge]

Students have come to expect the occasional Bible pusher or animal rights activist as a nuisance on the walk to class. Whether these issues interest, annoy or enlighten students, free speech enables people to give out literature.

A couple weeks ago, one particular brochure was distributed and even left in mailboxes. It was an extreme conservative-Christian view dismissing homosexuality, titled, "Homosexuality: The Truth."

Pilgrims Covenant Church, who put out the brochure, is described on its Web site as being "fundamental in doctrine and biblical in government."

The truth, huh? Better judgment may say this brochure probably wasn't the truth, but reading it may entail some comical value.

The pamphlet states, "I do not believe that homosexuals should be discriminated against. Isn't that a proper stand?"

Then it answers with, "No. If citizens are not allowed to discriminate in any way with regard to out-of-the-closet gays, then there is no basis for denying those involved in sexual perversion the right to adopt and teach children, marry one another, be policemen or medics, serve in the armed forces, be elected officials and judges, work for you and rent from you."

It's difficult to find the comical absurdity in this "truth" when it advises people to blatantly discriminate and restrict individual freedoms.

In regards to the theory that gays were "born that way," the pamphlet compares them to the likes of serial killers and rapists. It reads, "Most serial killers do not remember when they first had thoughts of killing; most rapists do not remember exactly when they first contemplated raping; but no one suggests because of that, rapists and murderers were born that way!"

Everyone, gay or straight, should be offended by these claims. Equating classmates, friends and family members to criminals because of their sexual orientation is disgusting.

According to the pamphlet, "Homosexual acts, such as sodomy, were always illegal under American common law and were once rightly referred to with such words a 'beastly' and 'filthy.'"

They're worried about sodomy happening in the privacy of someone's home when, with one click, on the Internet, worse acts can be viewed. Yet, anal sex between two consensual men is considered unacceptable, even though it's known that heterosexual couples practice these sexual acts too.

Not only is the pamphlet a mockery, it undermines Christians everywhere. Handfulls of churches are very receptive and accepting of homosexuality. Senior Zach Kuehne's letter to the editor apologizing on behalf Christians on campus of the brochures was a commendable act. It further demonstrates an accepting campus.

Why do organizations target college campuses with this kind of literature? Is the college mind really perceived as being that formidable? Even though we're young, we've got our own opinions and standards. Just because UW-Whitewater is obviously a campus college, these sorts of discriminatory acts are not going to settle any better than they would elsewhere.

These brochures, however, serve as a blessing (no pun intended) in disguise. Free speech is a highly valued attribute of our society because it circulates opinions until truth can come through. These pamphlets created a lot of discussion and debate, a more than healthy activity, especially in a college environment.

Although the contents of the literature intended exclusion and alienation, it is hoped students dismissed the ideas and, at the same time, gathered a better understanding of their own ideas. The only accomplishment these brochures reaped was in reinforcing that many students disagree with these ignorant and outlandish claims against homosexuality.

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