It’s been almost two weeks since the election. Many of us are relieved to have it over with, and many are disappointed and feel insecure with the outcome. Recalling this election campaign, I thought about what the driving issues were. For many, it was all about the war in Iraq, economy, abortion, gay marriage rights and foreign policy. All these issues have one thing in common: they all revolve around ethics and morals.

It seems like our society was involved with a Third Awakening during the 2004 election cycle. For those unfamiliar with the historical term “Great Awakening,” I will briefly explain what happened during America’s second Great Awakening.

In the late 1820s and 1830s, a clergymen by the name of Charles Finney held revivals in the woods and small villages. He believed people had the choice to be sinners or be righteous children of God. If people wanted to be righteous, they had to practice their lives in accordance with Christianity. He believed, we as humans, could choose which path we wanted to take.

So how does this 1820s and 1830s movement relate to the 2004 presidential election cycle? I would say it has a lot to do with the fact that many people voted for the person who followed their beliefs on abortion and gay rights. George W. Bush got many votes for his stance on abortion, which was clearly a moral issue. John Kerry and other senators were obviously bashed by the Catholic Church because of their stance on this issue.

Bush also received several votes for his stance on gay marriages. Some believe it’s immoral for same-sex marriages to occur in the United States because it’s unnatural. Although some may feel that way, shouldn’t the gay population be considered United States citizens as well? Wouldn’t we be suppressing and infringing upon their rights if our government said it was unconstitutional for them not to have the same legal rights as people in heterosexual marriages?

Aren’t we saying gay people aren’t equal enough to have the same rights? Our nation has a long history of infringing on the rights of others, like the Alien and Sedition Acts and black rights. These two examples both infringed on the rights of a minority. If we don’t watch out, our country will yet again infringe on the rights of another minority.

Kayln Boge

Freshman

Horticulture