I am writing a letter in regard to the rash of articles that have appeared in the Daily about Christianity.

I have watched all year as Ms. Goodwin has expressed her deep-felt thoughts on Christianity and saving people from their sins —making them see the “light.” I think that it is about time that we put this issue to rest.

I am not saying that her opinions are wrong; they have just as much of a place in this paper as mine do.

I am just saying that I am tired of the persecution of the “different” individuals that has gone on lately. Especially when it comes to the religious right and wrong.

Not everyone seeks answers in the Christian god. Other people seek answers in other religions, and that is just fine. Religion is a part of a person, not the whole of them. It is what feels natural to an individual.

Ms. Goodwin’s story about the turning around of her ideas was truly touching, as was her other one about her friend Frank.

I know that her heart was in the right place, but it is time that she realized that she cannot convert the world.

Some people, like me, are happy just the way they are. I am content with my own religion, and no, it is not Christianity.

Goodwin described a person as an object with many layers. As you peel away the layers, you come to the core, the essence of who you are inside your soul.

She believes that in the core of our being is the belief in and obeyance of god. Here is where the “difference” is between her and me — perhaps even between Christian and non Christian.

I believe that the core of someone’s being does not depend upon the existence of a god. Nor do I believe that someone’s feelings and emotions define whether or not they will go to “hell or heaven.”

A belief in a god does not define us; we define ourselves. And if we choose to define ourselves by our belief in god, that’s fine, but if we don’t, that’s fine as well.

How many people do you know that walk up to you and say “Hi, I am Christian” or “Hi, I am a Buddhist” or even “Hi, I am an atheist.” No, you say “Hi, I am Sara” or “Hi, I am Matt” or “Hi, I am Justin.” Religion is a part of us, not the whole of us.

Being different is good!

It doesn’t matter if it is a difference of opinion or a difference of religious beliefs. We often forget that differences are what have advanced and defined humankind. It was what our country was founded on. The church opposed those individuals that were “different” then, just as they oppose them now. If it wasn’t for these “different” people, where would we be now?

We certainly wouldn’t have computers or cars or even homes. We wouldn’t understand the theory of relativity or the cell. We wouldn’t understand the biological existence of ourselves. We would be stuck in time. The truth is that they were “different,” and our lives are better because of them.

Someone once said “all truth passes though three stages, FIRST it is ridiculed, SECONDLY it is violently opposed, and THIRD it is accepted as being self evident.”

What stage are we on, then?

---

Melinda Witherow

Freshman

Biology and journalism and mass communication