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Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor

Abstinence teaches healthy view of human sexuality

To the editor: 

I am writing in response to a column in Monday's edition of The Daily Cougar, "Bush vexed about real sex ed" (Opinion, Monday). 

Justin Vann's editorial suggests that President Bush's policy shifts to an alternative "comprehensive sex education" as opposed to Bush's current policy of "abstinence-only sex education." Vann further states that his current policy is in the spirit of preventing "sex in its entirety," and in effect, "telling teenagers to ignore their sexual impulses." 

The abstinence awareness that President Bush is funding and encouraging is not anti-sex, anti-science or even anti-health-awareness. He proposes that abstinence be taught for its core purpose -- the sanctity of the human body. Dare anyone wonder if abstinence is something involving morality or even the human's relation to God? 

President Bush is not suggesting young people (nor the unmarried) ignore or repress the fact that most humans have sexual desire. Rather, he is trying to center the issue to the heart of what abstinence is: respect for the human body. Would not this kind of respect return the sexual impulse to its original and most beautiful design? 

Vann pulled out all the stops in this one: religious right against science, religious right against knowledge and human growth, pitting the "Bible Belt" against "The science community." I encourage everyone to think and engage in dialogue about the editorials you read rather than simply be entertained by them. 

Nicholas Bogosian
sophomore, English/theater

Letters to the editor are welcome from all members of the UH community and should focus on issues, not personalities. Letters must be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the University. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, language and space. Letters may be delivered in person to Room 151, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.