Resolved: Nicholls is more tolerant
Lauren Thompson
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Editorial
Students at Nicholls are apparently diverse when it comes to religious beliefs, and they seem to be just as accepting of others' beliefs.
Last week we published an article about a student and a faculty member who want to start an atheist, agnostic and humanist group at Nicholls. In the same week, the paper also reported that students took a pro stance on creationism being taught in schools during the first forum of the spring semester.
While these two subjects are topics that are not always supported in the majority, they do present an interesting aspect that not all students believe.
Given all this information, we commend Hannah-Phyllis Urdea-Marcus and Frederick Fournet on expressing their views during last week's forum.
We also give praise to Ory Fromenthal for trying to start a new organization on campus. The potential group can share ideas and participate in events with the five already existing religious clubs on campus.
However, there are criticisms that must be made in regards to the group and the forum.
As of press time, the Secular Student Alliance group on Facebook.com had 11 members and was a closed group.
But why doesn't the organization make the group open for students in the University? If the group wants people to support it, its members should not be exclusive in asking people to join.
Regarding the forum, though some students did have an opportunity to express their beliefs on the creationism versus evolution in schools, the topic of the forum was vague.
There was no explanation in the forum's resolution as to why creationism should be taught in schools, just that is should be taught.
Almost every student had a different explanation of why it should be taught. Some students who don't believe in creationism agreed with creationism being taught, but these students agreed for completely different reasons than the creationism believers.
With those in favor of teaching creationism winning the forum, a problem could arise when starting an agnostic organization.
Last week we published an article about a student and a faculty member who want to start an atheist, agnostic and humanist group at Nicholls. In the same week, the paper also reported that students took a pro stance on creationism being taught in schools during the first forum of the spring semester.
While these two subjects are topics that are not always supported in the majority, they do present an interesting aspect that not all students believe.
Given all this information, we commend Hannah-Phyllis Urdea-Marcus and Frederick Fournet on expressing their views during last week's forum.
We also give praise to Ory Fromenthal for trying to start a new organization on campus. The potential group can share ideas and participate in events with the five already existing religious clubs on campus.
However, there are criticisms that must be made in regards to the group and the forum.
As of press time, the Secular Student Alliance group on Facebook.com had 11 members and was a closed group.
But why doesn't the organization make the group open for students in the University? If the group wants people to support it, its members should not be exclusive in asking people to join.
Regarding the forum, though some students did have an opportunity to express their beliefs on the creationism versus evolution in schools, the topic of the forum was vague.
There was no explanation in the forum's resolution as to why creationism should be taught in schools, just that is should be taught.
Almost every student had a different explanation of why it should be taught. Some students who don't believe in creationism agreed with creationism being taught, but these students agreed for completely different reasons than the creationism believers.
With those in favor of teaching creationism winning the forum, a problem could arise when starting an agnostic organization.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
hyman lockwas
posted 3/07/08 @ 9:11 AM CST
I just don't believe it! Yuck, yuck.
Patrick
posted 3/08/08 @ 10:00 PM CST
I'm going to make a wild guess that the group is closed because they'd like to moderate membership by requiring a simple application. Considering the ineveitable tirade of religious trolls any unmoderated skeptic or atheist group receives, one can hardly blame them. (Continued…)
Ory
posted 7/22/08 @ 11:28 PM CST
Exactly. I agree with Patrick. This article seems ignorant and rushed.
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