OPINION
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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free ex
Editorial: Bank of America's increase in ATM fees can add up significantly over time.
Stewart: Childhood nostalgia crosses the line over to annoyance.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 7
BURGERTIMES
Lessons can be learned from religious evangelists
An experience with proselytizers distributing pamphlets is eye-opening as much as off-putting
That day, a small throng of people of this caliber came my way. A small girl in front said, "Can I offer you a smile?" referring to the smiley-covered pamphlet in her hand. She was dressed like a doll, and fashioned her voice in a similar manner. The whole experience was chilling. I don't typically enjoy chilling experiences when I'm not the one initiating it, nor do I anticipate it during my grocery shopping (unless it's a fruit cup I'm feeling).
Just the other day I was walking downtown to get a loaf of bread when something caught my eye. I noticed an extreme evangelism project underway. Later I learned it was orchestrated by Heritage Baptist Church, and is usual for the summer months.
I remember seeing this sort of thing last time I was downtown, too. They are easy to spot, usually from the corner of my eye. Groups of people walking conspicuously to intercept you, usually dressed nice.
I was approached at least twice more before I bothered to take a pamphlet, this one strikingly more patriotic-looking. One doesn't even need to open it to know what's inside, and yet it is treated as if it's new information. We are not un-Christian because we simply don't know. Later I was talking with another member, and it wasn't long before he pulled out his Bible—wrought with highlight, markings and notes. I remember those days.
DRAWING BOARD
I didn't exactly mind what they were doing that evening; it was the fact that I was involuntarily bothered by it that was
troubling. Sometimes I have enough on my plate talking to classmates, participating in class and even talking to the people I know and like. It's enough. Just as with people distributing fliers on campus, my deliberate ignorance or look of displeasure should be interpreted as such. While I appreciate the general concern for my eternal well-being, I would also appreciate the respect for my present status (i.e. annoyance, boredom, etc.).
There I met with the evangelical from before. He said the group (I counted about 30) comes sporadically each month. "The end times are coming," he said, "within the next 20 years—a guess."
Up until that point, I had yet to see the spectacle at 11th and Massachusetts, where the mission culminated. There were large signs, a few didactic members capitalizing on their chance to be the preacher and a choir assembled before the few passerby that chose not to change their route. Several people stopped to take pictures, and there was a general sense of initial concern followed by amusement of those dining outside. After this went on for some time, they got on a bus and set up again at 8th Street.
The whole thing was offputting and at the same time interesting to me. I thought again about my bread and subsequently getting some wine to go with it, given the spirit of the whole ordeal.
"People think the Bible is symbolic, like a big allegory. But it's not. It's all literal," the man said. I asked how he knew; his response was equally frank: "What else could we place our hope in?"
I was wondering just the same.
Muselmann is a Tulsa, Okla., junior in journalism.
MAX RINKE
NOT SO ANGELIC
Hate crimes still a reality in America
A recent racially-motivated offense is a reminder that bigoted attitudes still exist
ANGELIQUE MCNAUGHTON
The possible motivations for the brutal rape and assault recently inflicted on an African-American West Virginian woman reminded me of when I was in 6th grade and had emailed Sen. Sam Brownback. Remember that school year from 1998-99? "Can't Hardly Wait," "The Matrix" and "Idle Hands" all hit the big screen. Diddy was Puff Daddy, N'Sync debuted and The Nenakaded Ladies had that annoying song, "One Week." The first mass school shooting, at Columbine, as well as the murder of openly gay college student Matthew Shepherd, occurred that year.
One night that year I was watching an MTV News special about hate crimes, and during so many hours of the special,
these minute or so long summaries of hate crimes would randomly appear. It would state what the crime or incident was, where it happened and the ages of the victim(s). Within an hour, I saw at least one hundred incidents in which people were targeted for everything from nationality to sexual preference, and age was never a factor. Some of the rats
of the acts that were committed were almost unimaginable. However, this special occurred following Matthew Shepard's death, which made the crimes all the more plausible.
I was around 10 or 11 and remember feeling scared when some of the victims in the summaries were about my age. I kept thinking to myself, if people can do that to those innocent kids, what stops something from happening to me? Those are disturbing thoughts for a 10-year-old who is supposed to be worried about recess and that upcoming history test, but the constant thought that I was one of a handful of Mexican-Americans in my elementary school was also always present.
Following Shepherd's death, his mom and many organizations were fighting for Congress to pass a hate crimes bill. A hate crimes law was passed in 2000. An act known as the Matthew Shepherd Act, which will be an addition to the bill, will include crimes against homosexuals. It is currently waiting Congress' approval. During the news special, it gave the senators' e-mail address so that you could voice your opinions, and I did. I expressed to Sen. Brownback that the thought that my nationality alone putting me in danger was a punch in the stomach, I've always been damn proud to be Mexican. It is like when you're a child, and your parents and teachers badger you to instill those rules that are "to help keep you safe." Don't talk to strangers, don't take rides from strangers, don't open the door to strangers and so on. The reason, at the age of 10, that I felt we needed a hate crimes law was because there was nothing I would be able to do to protect myself from something like that happening.
I'm 20 years old now, and the issue of hate crimes floats around
in my head almost every day. Perhaps it's because "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" is my favorite TV show, or because I constantly allow my mind to drift back to that day ten years ago when I first heard the term 'hate crimes.' Maybe it should be attributed to the fact that we have a crazed world where people do and say some unfathomable things to each other every day. For instance, I grew up seeing Fred Phelps on street corners and at parades protesting against homosexuals and anyone else who "God didn't love" that day. Well, the verdict is in guilty on all three counts. The violence we are constantly exposed to in the news, along with many other things I encounter daily, take me back to that day.
The woman was 20 years old and knew her attackers. Being a petite girl, I still play by those safety rules. Yet, similar to ten years ago, I'm still fearful of those things I can't protect myself from.
McNaughton ts a Topeka junior in journalism.
FREE FOR ALL: 864-0500 OR KANSAN.COM/FACEBOOK
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all callers are included.
To my Geography 100 class: one thousand dollars to the first person to choke out the douche bag in the front row.
If you want a knight in shining armor so bad, why don't you go live at a Renaissance fair?
I hate you, organic chemistry. I hope you get run over by a KU Park & Ride bus.
Just for the record, physical therapy school is not the same as medical school.
Pizza Street is greater than Cici's Pizza, exclamation point.
Free for All, I would like you to
know that you just stopped being a cartoon.
Free for All, it's Monday night and I'm supposed to be writing a paper, and I got drunk for inspiration. Now I can't write my paper, because I'm about to pass out. End call. I can't hang up my phone. (People shouting in the background.) I can't hang
It's a Monday night at The Jackpot. If you didn't know, that's blues night. If you're drinking on a Monday night, you either A) have the blues or
And the Royals are back to last place. Go White Sox.
up my phone! Maybe if I press-
To the asshole in the elevator in McCollum: do not call somebody a lazy-ass, when you are at least fifty pounds overweight.
Has anybody noticed that at the bottom of Gumby's menus, in small print, it says, "We do not accept responsibility for anything?"
B) need'em.
To whoever it was that gave me some tissue paper while I was crying on the phone in the Park & Ride bus this morning: thanks. You're an angel.
To the guy in the Underground, writing his notes in the gum package before the test: you're going to fall at life.
Parking on campus is harder than winning a fight with my girlfriend.
I just farted at the same time as a loud thunder clap. Coincidence? I think not.
I think College.com is a little jealous of Facebook.
Seriously people,look before you cross the street.
I just called in sick to work, but I really just didn't want to drive in the rain!
Free for all, today is not my day.
I'll buy you new charcoal as a thank you.
Thank you to the incredibly kind and generous guy who selflessly used his bag of art supplies to shield us from the rain. If I see you in front of Snow again on Thursday,
is it summer yet? Hell, I'll even take Winter Break.
I just heard a sorority girl use the word "like" eight times in one sentence. And they say stereotypes are wrong.
Apparently over family weekend my suitmate's mom walked into my room, picked up my bra and said "Oh! Double D!"
After all Britney has been through, leave Britney alone!
Yarrr me hearties! September 19
be Talk Like A Pirate Day!
Sign of the Apocalypse: University scientists discussing how we are all gonna die!
I use all my gas in the dorm park
lots trying to find a spot.
Why doesn't Mrs. E's have more diet drinks?
I'm falling in love too, and I don't even know their name.
KU has a better football team than Nebraska now? Kansan power rankings, you disappoint.
You (bleep)in'hot dog!
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Erick R. Schmidt, Eric Jorgensen, Daria Silape, Kelsey Haysen, Bryan Dykman, Brandon T. Minister, Angelique McNaughton and Benjamin R. Smith