1980_11 The Daily Collegian November 1980

              — —I——^—-^ ,—„—;——.   .  _
*
THE DAILY COLLEGIAN
Tuesday. November 4, 1M0
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
God's existence
To the Editor:
In resoonse to the continuing 'dia¬
logue' between Or. Jones and the
responses to his letters in The Fresno
Bee and subsequently i n the Collegian...
As a historian. Dr. Jones knows better
than I that humans have, as long as we
know, been using that which is of inter¬
est to them yet which cannot be explain¬
ed within any framework based on
empirical or experimental knowledge as
evidence of the existance of a Cod, many
gods, stunts living in trees, clouds,
under rocks or wherever.
Human disease, plagues, earth¬
quakes, the passage of the sun across
the skv. all manner of phenomena have
in the oast been explained as being the
handiwork of some supernatural force.
As human knowledge increased these
things have become understandable and
consistent with our understanding of
how the universe, In fact, works and Cod
no longer is invoked as explanatory.
That we do not yet know what the
nature of gravitation is strikes me as
insufficient reason to propose that gravi¬
tation is a manifestation (and proof?) of
Cod's existance and power. If someday
human intellect is able to understand
gravity as we now understand infectious
disease or the cause of floods, will we
then have to remove Cod as the proximal
cause of vet another phenomenon?
On the issue of evolution of organic
forms, the strengths of the argument
that species change through time is
based on a body of knowledge derived
from both observation and experimenta¬
tion The theory of evolution by the pro¬
cess of natural selection rests not on who
it was who said or says this or that, but
on the strength of the evidence itself.
That is. it rests not on authority but on
what we hope is objective evidence. That
Cod or some other sort of supernatural
power is the prime mover behind every¬
thing is a moot question, ultimately
resolved bv faith alone. That evolution is
the result of natural selection is not moot
nor a ouestion of faith. The details of
what we already know about natural
selection cannot be presented in letters
to the editor.
That does not mean that these details
are obscure, but rather that they are
complex and do, in fact, require that a
student of such matters have a good
grasp of the discipline of biology. Of
course it is easy to attack any scientific
construct before a lay audience and
make It seem that that construct is in
fundamental error. Was that not the case
with the church's long standing opposi¬
tion to Copernicus and Callileo, and
more recently the case with the argu
^Si?!iZI^.S^t^it!^L-„   tion-.' * know *«*'othir scholars'have
Ifthevtewstftotoriem^philosophers   concluded otherwise about the events
2L!!!?,!Ll"tn'!!?*5Lof .2* *Uh"*J* surrounding the death of Christ. What I
«^T,0OLnC^l0'rh0-*WeM,bou,the °° find '"^resting is that after 2000
nature of the universe are consistent years of this argument about what the
wi^whatwenowlwowtobetroejartto figure of lesus means, and after mfs-
be taken as sufficient reason to believe sionarv  after
this wav or that about the universe then
THE Bl&GesT PROBLEM* F^ClKkj- THIS OCOMTRV
of any idea about the real world of atoms
and flesh rests not with philosophers, or
historians, or even university professors
of bioloov. but on the evidence itself.
One must nonetheless ask why it is that
the overwhelming majority of the thou¬
sands of oeople engaged in research in
the natural sciences accept the evidence
that evolution occurs and that It occurs
fundamentally by the process we call
natural selection? I suppose it is possible
that the realities of the world are more
obvious to historians than they are to
those of us who are Immersed in science
It is, I suppose, also possible, If one is
wont to believe, that we are all dupes of
trie forces of evil which always have tried
to subvert us. I prefer to think that we
know something different and more
demonstrably true than that which our
forebearers thought they knew.
I have not the foggiest idea of who
Adolf von Harnack was (is?). Nor do I
have anv idea of the evidence he used to
defend his historicity of Jesus' resurrec-
vince them, today it is still a minority of
the world' s people who are Christian.
All well and good, I again suppose,
but it seems to me that we all accept the
premises of Christianity, that that Cod
would have made it easier for us all to
see that as self evident, as we see the sky
is blue and water is wet.
Parenthetically, I suppose Dr. Jones
does know that amongst the ranks of
evolutionists there are both theists and
atheists? That for some, evolution
demonstrates the power and wisdom of a
Cod, for others evolution demonstrates
other verities? Either way, the theory of
evolution bv natural selection stands on
its own merits, sophist arguments to the
contrary notwithstanding.
-Richard Haas
Professor of Biology
KKK coverage
missionary,   inquisition
•will
upon inouisitton, all manner of torture
never get anywhere. The validity  iod agonv inflicted upon peoples to con
To the Editor:
In the Daily Collegian of Oct. 20 you
stated in your editorial 'Ignore the
Klan?' that the Klan is a serious prob¬
lem. We In the'Human Rights Coalition
agree and also agree with you that the
terrorist KKK can not be made to go
away by Ignoring them- It is the duty and
responsibility of everyone who believes
in equality and justice to oppose hate
organizations such as the KKK.
The problem with the editorial is Its
oversimplification of news coverage of
the KKK in the central valley. If the
mass media did indeed expose the KKK
for the racist thugs that they are that
would be one thing. But this Is not the
case in Fresno, and while we consider
the CoMeglan's coverage as better than
most, the rest of the Fresno news media
trips all over itself to uncritically inter¬
view the Klan's leaders, broadcast racist
speeches they give, and even print the
Klan's phone numbers so interested
persons can get more information.
Your editorial says that it is 'the med¬
ia's job to Infom and educate* but we
consider the coverage given to be free
advertising. When the media does give
attention to The Human Rights Coali¬
tion's anti-racist information they give
us 15-20 seconds after a 5 minute adver¬
tisement for the KKK.
The Human Rights Coalition has
encouraged the media to downplay its
coverage of the Klan for a very good rea¬
son. We do not believe it is the media's
job to spread racial hatred and encour¬
age racial violence in our community. If
we can assume that the media would not
give a child moiestor all the coverage he
wants to express his sick points of view
why can' t we expect the same 'self-cen¬
sorship* when it comes to the terrorist
KKK
* We don't need to give thieves, murd¬
erers, rapists, or racists a forum to
spread their ideas. If the news media
considers the points raised by racist and
terrorist organizations any more valid
than that of a child moiestor then we
must ask the media to examine its own
racism to understand our criticism of Its
coverage.
Sincerely,
The Human Rights Coalition
No discrimination
To the Editor:
I 've been reading all that' s been writ¬
ten in The Dairy CeBaglea about Russ
Sloan and the hostess program. The
biggest objections of the program seem
to be that it's discriminatory and sexist.
As far as being discriminatory,
wouldn't vou apply the same criteria to
every scholarship that's awarded I.e. the
student who gets a scholarship because
of good arades. Doesn't this discrimin¬
ate against the less intelligent?
What about the scholarships for ath¬
letes, doesn't that discriminate against
those that are not athletically Inclined?
Practically any program that, rewards
one individual could be considered dis¬
criminatory against another individual.
The second thought of being sexist is
also nonsense. Beauty is In the eye of the
See Letters page 3
tv  •
f
THE DAJLV COLLEGIAN
PaamJ
Freshman leads in LaMancha'
Br Pam Curie*
'Nothing is worth doing unless you go
all the wav.* These are the words of
Jaqueline (Jackie) Charlotte Antaram-
ian, the 18-year-old radio/television
major who will play the lead in the Uni¬
versity Theater's upcoming production
of 'Man of LaMancha.*
Amona the 'theatre-type". It is almost
unspoken for a freshman, new to the
school and not even majoring in theatre
arts to get such an important role.
Antaramian says, "Oh, I think with the
proper coaches I can develop my talents
and be much better."
Her eves sparkle as she speaks of the
theatre and her love for the stage and
dramatics. In high school it was her one
hobby.
She participated in forensics at Hoover
High School. Antaramian grows quiet
and sincere as she says, "The real reason
I love theatre so much is because I used
to be so terribly shy—and learning to
have confidence in speaking brought me
away from all that."
She made it to the state finals in high
school with her forensics team, and later
became eighth in the state for dramatic
interpretation.
Also at Hoover she played in 'The
Man Who Came To Dinner,' and as a
junior she was Cicily in "The Importance
Student wants to be best
Of Beina Earnest.' She also had her
debut in her senior year as Madam
Dubonet in Hoover's first musical in
■ several vears. The Boyfriend.*
But she feels that any good actor or
actress must not rest on what they have
done in the past. She stresses the belief
that the best must have an extra some¬
thing that sets them apart from the
crowd.
For her. she said, it is the fact that she
'glistens potential.' She does not just
want to be 'good,' she wants to excel.
- Her training has been limited and she
candidtv admits that her only true drama
classes until this year have been for the
past two summers where she has worked
She does not Just
went to be 'good,'
she wants to excel.
with the California Shakespearean Festi-
val in Vlsalia. She played Olivia in
''Twelfth Night" In 1960.
"I learned so much there; it was an
Invaluable lesson in the craft."
Antaramian was bom in the Soviet
Union and went to Wisconsin when she
was three. She continued to live there
for six vears, until moving to Fresno to
join other relatives.
•I reallv miss Wisconsin, and I will go
back some day. I don't remember any of
my friends, but t remember it (the state)
real well. It would be fun to see some of
those friends to see how they are now
interesting—because I've changed SO
very much.'
She is not looking back though. She is
excited as she says 'I'm just taking one
dayatatime.*
She loves her new role calling it
"inspirational.* It is challenging, but
fun, she said. 'The cast Is wonderful to
work with and Ed (EmanuEl) doesn't
just direct us, he goes that much further
and actually teaches us things. It's
neat.'
For someone who loves theatre life so
well, and slows when she speaks of act¬
ing, whv. then is she not a theatre arts
major?
'It's not that I don't think it would
make a stable career, but there is a per¬
sonal ethic Involved.'
She wants to delve into the outlaying
areas of the1 theatre and feels, then, if
the talent Is there she will get the parts,
regardless of her major. She offers as
proof her.current role Of Aldonza in
"Man of LaMancha."
She said. 'Directors aren't Interested
in that BA. they want to see you per¬
form.* Besides, Antaramian feels that
one must sincerely want an acting career
before he or she will get it, She Is not
sure, just vet, if she wants it
But there are plenty of people at CSUF
who are for her. Her director, EmanuEl
said she has what it takes to play the
'I went to prove that
I can live up to that role'
sometimes difficult part of an older,
brash, whore.
She has no regrets about the role,
time-consuming though It may be. She
carries 16 units, and manages to have
time off to study lines at home and
attend nishtly rehearsals
Antaramian smiles and adds, "I just
don't want anyone to think I got a lucky
break, 'cause I want to prove that I can
live up to that role.'
Letters
Continued from Page 2
beholder. Those selected as a hostess
are going to be chosen because of their
total personality. Poise, neatness, ability
to meet oeooje, a friendly attitude, and a
sparklina personality would be even
more imoortant than their looks.
I feel that if people were to look at the
positive purposes of the program instead
of atwavs trying to find fault with the
programs, our campus would be a better
place for all of us.
—Karen Ream
Fischer criticized
by 'born again'
To the Editor:
It Is aooarent from Dr. Fischer's letter
on Oct. 23 that for a 'humanist' ills not
unethical to present an unfair caricature
of those one disagrees with and misrep¬
resent their position.
It is evident from this letter that
Fischer is either blatantly dishonest or
sadly ignorant about the views of those
he is attempting to refute.
As one of those 'evangelical reborn*
FLICHT.ATTENDANTS (F-F) are:
REQUIRED on 90 U.S. AIRLINESI ;
Major and Commuter. Complete list- ;
Ing for EMPLOYMENT CONTACT. ;
! S4.95pp Also Incl: Standard Airline !
Application      Form;      Application
Instructions and BASIC QUALIFICA- :
TfONS. A CAREER with the Airlines:!
begin with PROPER CONTACT and
APPLICATION! WORLDWIDE
: iAVIATION, Inc Box 718 Solvang, Ca
93463
IWWIIWIIMWIMMWIWHIWMWIt
he castigates, t take exception to this
simplistic and false caricature he presen¬
ted in his letter.
While the conservative Christian does
say that perfect knowledge comes from
Cod in the form of the scripture and Is
accepted bv faith, It is misleading to add
'as interpreted by authority.' Many of
us stand within the tradition of the refor¬
mation and assert that the Bible Is the
only authority.
The reformers observed the following
hermeneuticaJ practices:
1) Seek the 'plain* sense of scripture.
What would have been the obvious
meanlna to the original readers? Treat
poetry as poetry and prose as prose.
They raiected the practice of allegorizing
scripture.
2) Compare less dear passages with
more dear ones to determine what the
writer is saying. This simple practice of
"it means what it says* requires no
special training.
Most conservative Christians approach
a passaae of scripture with three ques¬
tions: 1) What Is the writer saying? 2)
What does It mean? 3) So what? How
does it aoofy to my life? (or does it?).
In the Bible we are told to treat others
the wav we want to be treated ourselves
(Matt. 7:12), and to love our neighbors
as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). In the story of
the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37),
Jesus not only teaches us to help anyone
in need he also shows that prejudice is
wrong.
Sure. Christians are told to be in sub¬
mission to governing authorities
(Rom. 13:1-7), but we are also told to
give Ceasar (the government) that which
Is Caesar's and give to Cod what Is
Cod's (Matt. 22:22) and in an either/or
situation we must choose to obey Cod
over the eovemment (Acts 5:29).
In Mtcah 6:8 we are told what Cod
requires of us: 'And what does the Lord
require of you but to do justice, love
kindness and to wald humbly with your
Cod?'
Jesus aave us specific examples of this
in Matt. 25:31-46. He states here that
how we treat others is Indicative of our
relationship to him. He specifically men¬
tions feeding the hungry, giving drink to
the thirsty, hospitality to strangers,
clothing to the naked, and visiting
the skfc and Imprisoned.
If Christians (or anyone) are living out
these instructions how can we "do every¬
thing in our power to defent the status
quo*r Jesus said the two greatest
commandments are to "love God with all
we are'and to'love our neighbors as we
love ourselves' (Matt. 22:24-40). We are
also told to love our enemies (Luke 6:27-
35).
So it's not either love Cod or love man¬
kind. It's love both. I'll let you decide if
this means we are to be 'good Ameri¬
cans, good patriots, and good right-
wingers' or If the three are really the
same.
As for the comment that one who
chooses to live Cod's way must 'give up
sex*, the Bible condemns sex outside the
committment of the marriage rela¬
tionship.
Sex is good in marriage and Is to be
enjoyed. I don't see how anyone can read
Song of Solomon and say Cod is against
the enjoyment of sex. It Just has its
place.
Come on, Fischer, be fair. Read the
Bible vou ridicule. There are several
copies in the Library (call letters Bs 185
and following.)
Mark Campbell
Library tour
Although the building is stilt
unoccupied and not entirely fin¬
ished, the staff of the library Invites*'
faculty, staff and students to tour
the new addition on Wednesday,
Nov. 12, from 9a.m. to4p.m.
Members of the staff will be sta¬
tioned on each floor to answer
questions. Enter through the glass
doors facing the cafeteria.
SOFT CONTACT LENSES^ fcgj^.
~ c|°   OPTOMETW8T8
sW'*/-!
$145
TOTAL
PRICE
*M W. Skew Ave
f*tta»*l-eadU
108
Clorle, CA 98612
__S^J» NO    EXTRA    CHARGE:    Price    Include*    one    pair    soft
~—T ss contact    lenses,   eye   examination,   contact    lens, fitting,.
Jr orientation,    oare    kit,     and     30    days     follow-up    care.       'OR APPOINTMENT CALL:
__^s (All    fittings    and    lens    evaluations    by    a    Doctor    of    ' 299-7266
CWorr^).Sam.ci^serviceoonwwtoftler*fmifW. exp1R£8: November30,1860
' >