At the University of Texas in San Antonio, an Atheist Group on campus has decided to do something about their beliefs. Now before I go into details, I want to make it clear that firstly, I respect that they have made a move, but secondly, I don't respect the particular move that they have made. To clarify, I respect it when people can say what they actually think without beating around the bush or hiding it all in a bunch of rhetoric - which isn't to say that I always respect what they actually say or do, similar to I may disagree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.
What they have done, is started an initiative in contrary motion to what religious groups on campus do. When bibles are handed out, they will find a prominent place, and trade bibles or other religious texts for porn. Given that I don't agree that porn should exist let alone be easy to find, you may find it surprising that I can respect this move. I don't - what I respect is that a move was made.
For too many people, the temptation is to stand back and just 'agree to disagree'. This is a stupid move - all that is decided is that I think you're wrong and you think that I'm wrong, which was already decided at the start. It was the reason that a disagreement arose in the first place. While I can understand the sentiment behind it (we don't want to alienate people from us or us from others) and I can see where it can be the right response in some cases (such as when discussing the merits of 1970's jazz vs 1930's blues), most of the time it is just a cop-out. If you can't prove your case over and above the other, then why did you make it?
Which is why I respect that the Atheist group on campus made this move. What they are saying is not, 'let's agree to disagree', they are saying "We are Right and you are Wrong", instead of capitulating they are taking a stand for what they believe. What is telling is that the Christian Group, as far as I've heard, hasn't made a reply or tried to get it changed or stopped they've merely said that they don't agree with it.
What they have done, is started an initiative in contrary motion to what religious groups on campus do. When bibles are handed out, they will find a prominent place, and trade bibles or other religious texts for porn. Given that I don't agree that porn should exist let alone be easy to find, you may find it surprising that I can respect this move. I don't - what I respect is that a move was made.
For too many people, the temptation is to stand back and just 'agree to disagree'. This is a stupid move - all that is decided is that I think you're wrong and you think that I'm wrong, which was already decided at the start. It was the reason that a disagreement arose in the first place. While I can understand the sentiment behind it (we don't want to alienate people from us or us from others) and I can see where it can be the right response in some cases (such as when discussing the merits of 1970's jazz vs 1930's blues), most of the time it is just a cop-out. If you can't prove your case over and above the other, then why did you make it?
Which is why I respect that the Atheist group on campus made this move. What they are saying is not, 'let's agree to disagree', they are saying "We are Right and you are Wrong", instead of capitulating they are taking a stand for what they believe. What is telling is that the Christian Group, as far as I've heard, hasn't made a reply or tried to get it changed or stopped they've merely said that they don't agree with it.
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