THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503030021
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Regarding ``Onward Christian soldier'' (news, Feb. 27): I didn't mind contributing to funding Ron Rosenberger's ``free speech,'' because continued separation of church and state is vital and the public needs to be aware of attempts such as his to integrate the two. But did we have to be subjected to his personal philosophy?
How appalling that anyone who desires to be viewed as a man of God could actually say, ``Apart from Christ, we may alter our behavior, but we can do nothing of ultimate importance.''
If he totally disregards or discredits anything worthwhile done by anyone who is a non-Christian, he fails to acknowledge the value of most of the world's population. Such an incredibly biased, naive and arrogant attitude!
Nor could I applaud the newspaper for imagining for one moment that I have any interest in Rosenberger's personal interpretation of rock lyrics or his ridiculous implication that the cure for a serious eating disorder lies in one's choice of religion.
These addictions were not necessary to make the point that he (and Pat Robertson or whoever else he has had funding his activities) are taking it upon themselves to challenge one of this country's most highly valued precedents.
It is sad that Rosenberger didn't recognize during his time at the University of Virginia that the primary purpose of higher education is to expand the mind and teach students to think critically and objectively. Perhaps he could have spent his college years endeavoring to become more educated in human relations, psychology, sociology and religious tolerance rather than taking on the not-too-impressive role of a ``soldier'' against religious toleration and for government-subsidized preaching.
No one is prohibiting his free expression by not funding it, and that does not make us ``decadent.'' It makes us wise.
KATHERINE BOHRER
Virginia Beach, Feb. 29, 1995 by CNB