August 7, 2002

Academia versus Uptightia
   by mike <mike@pfft.net>

Here we go again! The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is getting flak for their summer reading program. As if people whining and complaining that a literary great like Huck Finn should be banned wasn't crazy enough... Now hardcore Christians [and others] are hauling the university into federal court over the school's requirement that incoming freshman read a book on Islam.

Jesus Tap-dancing Christ, what is wrong with you people? President Bush has said constantly that the war against terrorism is not a war against Islam, and it's not! So why freak out? Part of college academics involves exposing oneself to different viewpoints in all facets of life. It's not an affront on christianity or any other religion, nor is it nudging all freshmen to convert to Islam. They're studying it so they can make the distinction that the people filing the lawsuit can not: that the actions of a few extremists do not reflect the viewpoints of a worldwide religion.

And to the people who think this is a good idea, your continued complaining and bitching serves as a prime example that you do not understand the state of the world, nor do you have any respect for those whose viewpoints differ from your own. And if that's the case, I don't want you living in the same country as me. This is America, the 'melting pot' of the world, and if you try to freeze a particular group of people out because you're too afraid to learn what the religion actually preaches, then get the hell out of here.

Published: August 7, 2002
Editor: stacy