Des Moines Register publishes Quiner's Diner essay
Guest at ISU vexed by Bible could have left it in the drawer
I’m offended.
These two words carry mammoth clout in this politically-correct age. I’m offended that Iowa State University, whom I support with my tax dollars, will be removing the Bible from Iowa State University’s Hotel Memorial Union because a single guest complained.
Just one.
The guest contacted the “Freedom from Religion Foundation” who leaned on Iowa State to remove the offending book.
In a stunning act of moral cowardice, the University caved like a house of cards to this organization which aggressively evangelizes atheism throughout the country.
Since it took but a single offended person to precipitate Iowa State’s knee-jerk reaction, I offer up my offense to offset that of the offended atheist.
I call on Iowa State President, Steven Leath, to allow diversity of religious thought by allowing Bibles to remain in the hotel drawers. We know diversity is important to President Leath because he said so.
Just last month he waxed eloquent about a diversity report that was prepared for him. He said he would use the report to ensure that Iowa State …
“is as diverse as it has ever been, but we have a responsibility to build upon past successes and ensure that we strive every day to create an environment that is as welcoming as possible to all people.”
The offended atheist characterized the Holy Bible as “unwelcome religious propaganda in the bedside table.” Note the word “in.”
Doesn’t it make sense that if someone finds the contents of a book offensive, they simply leave it in the drawer? Why in the world would Iowa State deprive everyone else the opportunity to read the Bible simply because an evangelical atheist is mad about it, even if the Book is out of sight in a drawer!
Perhaps the atheist is fearful of being converted through osmosis.
A Freedom from Religion spokesperson played her trump card by suggesting that Christians would be offended by competing books:
“Imagine the uproar if someone found a Quran or Richard Dawkins’ ‘The God Delusion’ in their state-supported hotel room. Government can’t take sides on the religious debate.”
An Iowa State spokesperson tried to rationalize the decision:
“What we’re doing is trying to be respectful of individuals who may have differing opinions on this.”
Iowa State’s decision to ban the Bible reminds me of their decision in 2005 to deny tenure to a former faculty member, Guillermo Gonzalez, co-author of “The Privileged Planet.” Mr. Guillermo’s book made the case for “intelligent design,” a politically-incorrect view in academia dominated by atheists. Even though Mr. Gonzalez didn’t teach this philosophy in his classroom, 124 members faculty signed a petition denouncing intelligent design, reinforcing their hostility to all things religious.
Iowa State’s hostility to Christianity is quite apparent in their recent decision.
If this suppression of religious thought concerns you, perhaps you should let President Leath know your views. You can reach him by e-mail: president@iastate.edu.
Tom, looks as though your on-file photo at the Register needs updating.
Want me to send them a newer one? 😉
Good to see they are giving a concession article to conservatives (even if it is bait for liberals).
Are you suggesting I’ve aged since that photo was taken a dozen years ago?
Congratulations on deserved recognition!
Thank-you.
Unfortunately, Tom, your being offended does not carry the same weight, as those who have the political and legal clout of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
I do have a question for you, and I am not trying to be confrontational, just curious. Where do you draw the line? Do you believe we should have prayer in public schools, teacher-led prayer, or a prayer read over the loudspeaker? Do you believe that the 10 commandments should be posted in public schools? Do you believe prayer should be spoken or religious songs sung at graduation? I ask because I am a public school teacher, and struggle with these issues.
Personally, I believe that there should be no teacher-led prayer in public schools or read over the loudspeaker, nor do I believe that the 10 commandments should be posted, unless as a “historical” document in a class studying world religions. Prayer at a public event? I’m on the fence on that one, but religious music should be allowed in my opinion, because if it is not, you are leaving out most of what Bach wrote, much of what Mozart and Handel wrote, etc. I was walking through a school in my son’s district (Ankeny-not where I teach), and saw about 30 pictures of Buddha on the wall, colored and with inscriptions of things he had said. And one of my former schools, I saw a giant display about Islam, and how it had “guaranteed the rights of women” or some such folderol. I must admit, that one offended me greatly, and had I not been seeking a full time job there (I was a long term sub), I probably would have complained. It seems to me that only if you are Christian are you discriminated against, and the right to freely practice your religion. I think the 1st Amendment has been too widely applied in respect to the “establishment clause”. For example, I am not sure how a coach, praying with his team before a high school football team for those who want to participate equates with “Congress making a law establishing a religion”. Public monies spent on religious ceremonies do not equate to that at all in my humble opinion. Sorry for the length of this.
What are your thoughts?
I think the Ten Commandments should be posted. It is the starting point for Judeo-Christian values and our legal system. Every school should have them on display. It’s even on display in our nation’s capital. It certainly does not establish a state religion. Rather, it is the foundation, the starting point, the ultimate inspiration for the United States of America.
My email to ISU:
I am an alumni of Iowa State University. I am embarrassed that my university, which I held in high esteem, caved.
Not only have you chosen to forgo countless years of tradition; but you have also tromped on the first ammendment.
Tiffinay Compiano
Thank-you, Tiffany.
[…] Quiner’s Diner wrote on the subject and the Des Moines Register ran the piece a week ago. Because of the widespread coverage of my essay, Iowa State heard from a whole lot of people on the matter. […]