My intentions were to write a letter to the editor encouraging our student body. I suspect, with the power this particular medium has in reaching and influencing numerous individuals, we should not use it to merely display our displeasure, but to encourage and enhance someone's life. Now after reading the Staff Editorial in the April 23 issue about needle exchange, I'm not only writing to encourage and enhance someone's life, but also to share a bit of wisdom with you.
In the misadventure of our position as scholars being taken lightly, we must clearly understand that a certain amount of responsibility comes along with being sculptors of the future. We must remember, while executing our objectives, to approach each issue with love, wisdom and understanding. By doing so, our humanistic world is automatically included into the envisioned blueprint of our extremely sophisticated, highly educated, information-driven world. Have a great year!
Let us not be ignorant to the truth: You reap what you sow. When apple seeds are planted, think it not strange when an apple tree is produced, and be not such fools to expect oranges.
We should not exchange new needles with addicts so that they may shun the AIDS virus. If you work for two weeks and you are to get paid on Friday, you will be upset if you do not receive the wages owed to you. Therefore, when you sin, expect the wages that are owed to you. For the wage of sin is death, but the gift of Jesus Christ is eternal life.
Take note, when you follow the ways of this sinful world, in which certain things are politically but not biblically correct, unseasonable death is promised. Let us not be accomplices to evildoers.
Jacob J. Richardson, junior RTV major
To the writers and readers of the Daily Cougar, I wish to question a few statements made in a recent column concerning pajamas, stuffed animals, homosexuality and Jesus. The columnist invoked the two most often-quoted (by the secular world, at least) statements by Jesus: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" and "Judge not, lest ye be judged." It is important to note here that the majority of Christians do not stone homosexuals, at least none that I have met. And secondly, we need to examine the issue of judging.
For me to say to a person, "You are guilty of sin against God because you sleep in fuzzy pajamas with slippers and because you have a stuffed animal," would clearly constitute judgment. This is because I do not have the authority to decide what is right and wrong for other people. But when God describes homosexuality as a sin, and I deliver this message, I am not judging anyone - God has already judged the sin.
Shane McLaughlin, freshman music major
Letters to the editor are welcomed from all members of the UH community. Letters should be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the university. Anonymous letters will not be published, although names may be withheld upon request. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, grammar, profanity and personal attacks.
Letters may be delivered to
Room 151 of the Communication Building, or may be e-mailed to allstrom@bayou.uh.edu.