I am again offended by the publication the Student Insurgent and its printing of images of Jesus naked. I find its decision to reprint the offensive cartoons, which gained so much media attention last year, to be a slap in the face of every student on campus. These cartoons are not now, nor have they ever been, about free speech, nor have they been about promoting dialogue on campus. These have the simple purpose of demeaning religion, and attacking the beliefs of a select few on campus. The atmosphere of bigotry toward religion, most specifically Christianity, on the UO campus has been an issue that has not only affected me socially but also in the classroom. The University breeds disdain for Christians, as well as for other religious groups on campus.
The term “free thinker,” often used to describe those who oppose religion, is an offensive word that insinuates religious people do not think for themselves. At the University, I have felt the sting of abusive language or imagery directed toward my religion, my God and my attempt to live a morally guided life.
The Insurgent issue is just the icing on the cake of the religious oppression I have suffered at what is supposed to be a diverse, accepting and tolerant public university. I will not donate a cent to the University as an alumnus, and I recommend that the student body do the same until the cultural attack on religion ends.
Religious or not, the intolerance shown by the Insurgent should offend every UO student. This is supposed to be a place where people of diverse backgrounds come together respectfully, in order to further their education. The Insurgent does nothing to further this goal, and is a drain on our student funding.
I asked our student government leaders to carefully examine what they force every student to pay for when allocating student incidental fees, and consider the programs that are undeserving of our money. It disgusts me that a portion of my tuition goes to directly support, and aid the Insurgent’s actions in attacking my religion, my way of life and who I am as a person. It disgusts me further that the student body and the administration stand by and do nothing while this intolerance and bigotry continue on our campus. I have not seen the current issue of the Insurgent yet, but several of my fellow Christians have brought it to my attention that they have made the decision to reprint the offensive cartoons knowing full well how it
would effect the Christians in the student body.
The sight of these cartoons last year brought me personally a wave of sickened grief, and I don’t want to see them again, but I know if I am going to continue to fight for religious tolerance on this campus, I have to read this issue. I do not look forward to the emotions reading this issue will bring to me, but I see it as my duty to inform myself, and combat this personal attack. The Insurgent has made a mockery of all that I am, and all that I strive to become, and this time there is no question as to their motives.