Examining Jefferson
The letter of Jordyn Nolz (March 25) was based on quoting out of context and lacked ethics.
In our SDSU library, I found Jordyn’s Jefferson quote in a letter from Jefferson to a college student. Jefferson was urging the student to think and study. Jefferson challenged the student, “Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
Jefferson wanted his student to study and know why he believed what he believed.
However, Jefferson did not want to influence the outcome of this student’s study and wrote, “If it ends in a belief that there is no god, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise and the love of others which it will procure you. If you find reason to believe there is a god, a consciousness that you are acting under his eye, and that he approves you, will be a vast additional incitement. If that there be a future state, the hope of a happy existence in that increases the appetite to deserve it; if that Jesus was also a god, you will be comforted by a belief of his aid and love.”
Taking a quote out of contest to support a bias would certainly be against Jefferson’s convictions.
The most widely circulated book by Jefferson is “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.” Even in the 1990s, when the Kentucky legislature was convened for a special session on morals and ethics after several members were convicted of various crimes, this text was again affirmed as the standard.
Admittedly, Jefferson was one of the least religious of our founding fathers, but by today’s standards, he would be considered very religious.
Of the four panels of quotes on the walls of the Jefferson Memorial, three focused on God.
Note one of these quotes: “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.”
Robert KohlSoil Physics professorBrookings
Tolerance is a myth
Dr. Phelps’s editorial a few weeks ago made me upset. However, I know freedom of the press allows him to express his opinions, however controversial they may be.
At the same time, I wonder what the response would have been if the article had been about Mohammed or Budda. I have a feeling it would have quickly been condemned by a far greater majority of Collegian readers.
We make sure not to connect Islam with violence, but it’s ok to blame Jesus for the Sept. 11 attacks, even if it is in “good humor?” Seems to me there just might be a double standard of “tolerance” in our society today.
Luke Perman Range ScienceLowry
KSDJ is much better
I would like to express my gratitude to Ashley Allen and the rest of the KSDJ staff for the outstanding changes they have made to KSDJ this year. Finally SDSU students have a radio station that they can take pride in.
I know a few extremely vocal students (and some former DJs) have spoken out against Allen and the new KSDJ format. To those students I would say, yes, KSDJ is not what it used to be but it is much, much better!
Not only can students find music on KSDJ that they won’t find on other stations, but they can actually find music. No longer do students turn to 90.7 to find that KSDJ is off the air, again.
Thanks to the hard work of Allen and the rest of the DJs, we can turn on nonstop rock music. After all, that’s the reason our student fee dollars go to KSDJ-so we can have a radio station that we want to listen to (not so a few DJs can play the weirdest music that they can find).
So, thanks again, Ashley, and thanks to the rest of you at KSDJ.
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