The Journal

Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: Opinion/Editorial

Trish Wallace

Being an outspoken Christian at Webster is taboo. As a Christian, I had some idea what I was getting into when I applied at this school. I know I could have gone to any Christian college or university, but Webster offered everything I wanted. Besides, I didn't see the point of sheltering myself from opinions different than mine, especially since I eventually wanted to work for the media.

After taking a variety of classes at this university, I've noticed that Christians are not considered to have valid opinions. I cannot take my stance on issues like abortion, politics or gay rights without being seen as a narrow-minded zealot. I cannot even seek sanctuary in religion courses. Scoffed at for taking the Bible literally, any views I wish to add to class discussions are deemed villainous before they finish leaving my lips.

I have to pick and choose my battles, carefully articulating my arguments. Only after professors and fellow students see for themselves that I am a free-thinker and intelligent conversationalist, do they see my opinions as viable. Then I feel safe enough to take off my disguise as the average Webster student and show my colors as not only a Christian, but a Baptist none the less.

This isn't just a construct of Webster liberalism, but a reflection of what is happening within the country today. As hard-core, evangelical Christians snuggle in cozier with top level republicans, the counter reaction of reproachful citizens is to reject the public display of religion. Suddenly the Ten Commandments become inherently evil if presented outside of a church. The 50-year-old tradition of reciting "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is being scrutinized.

The debate between intelligent design and evolution is rocking political circles. Simply bowing one's head before a meal at a public restaurant is bound to offend someone.

But Christians get offended, too. People will tell me not to talk about God around them, but those same people bring him up all the time. If they're surprised, they might exclaim, "Oh, my God!" If they're upset, "God, dang it!" When my co-workers mention God in such ways, I simply ask, "Praising or cursing?" They might believe they are only repeating a phrase, but that doesn't change the fact that to me they are addressing a higher being.
After all, the First Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…" It is my Constitutional right to exercise my faith as I see fit, even once I set foot outside of my church walls, even during topical classroom debates.

Christianity has long been respected in this nation. George Washington added the phrase "so help me God" to the presidential inaugural oath, and nearly every president since has repeated his plea. A Bible is used when swearing a person into a position in courts or in politics. The Declaration of Independence refers to one "Creator." Since 1864, "in God we trust" has appeared on American currency and has been the national motto of the United States for almost 50 years.

Thomas Jefferson, who was not an Orthodox Christian, said, "The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty."

Daniel Webster, famous orator and Secretary of State under Presidents William Henry Harrison and John Tyler, believed freedom was a gift from God.

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it," Webster said.

Civil rights leader Rosa Parks was mourned nation wide when she recently died.

"The church was and is the foundation of our community. It became our strength, our refuge, and our haven," Parks once said.

For me, Christianity is not just a religion. It's a complete lifestyle. But just because I have certain beliefs based on a supernatural deity, does not make me closed-minded or any less intelligent. The Bible isn't exclusively about angels, miracles, heaven or hell. It's full of moral codes, urging people to take care of the needy, to be kind to others and to handle finances properly. There's no need to assume during discussions that our opinions are nothing more than spiritual rubbish.




Trish Wallace, a junior journalism major, is a staff reporter for The Journal.

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