I don’t understand the purpose of Blasphemy Day, as described in Brian Gress’s letter. The goal is to offend, but ideally you expect people to question their beliefs?

If someone actually wanted to persuade believers, they would exercise their free speech in a constructive way, rather than writing “Jesus is not your savior” in chalk on the sidewalk.

I mean, really, what does that accomplish for their cause?

All it does is to persuade me to view the UNI Freethinkers and Inquirers as only being interested in telling people of faith that they’re wrong and irrational, instead of encouraging an objective search for the truth of our existence.

As atheists like to point out, I’m a blasphemer in the eyes of many other religions.

I personally don’t believe Muhammad is anyone’s prophet, but I’m not going to go around writing that on the sidewalk or offending Muslims on purpose.

I respect their beliefs, even when I disagree with them, and if I wish to persuade them to see things as I do, offending them is not the way to do it.

Luke Klosterman is a sophomore in Materials Engineering.