Originally posted by AThousandYoung What if they want a Koran? I have a Bible, I want a Koran. If I went to Duke would they give me a Koran? How about books arguing atheism?
Do they give all these books to freshmen without asking?
I think that if an organization chooses to give out some standard gift to its members, it would be because they believe that gift would have some benefit--they believe in the value of that gift.
Whether it's an ipod or a Bible or a list of the bars downtown or a safe-sex pamphlet, the group has its reasons and should have its freedom to give whatever they want to give. The recipient can accept or reject the offer (reminds me of how God makes His offer of salvation to us!), according to his own values.
If someone thinks a Bible might be good for you and offers you one, you have no right to demand Huckleberry Finn instead, but you can certainly say 'no thanks', and go buy your own Twain.
Originally posted by AThousandYoung What if they want a Koran? I have a Bible, I want a Koran. If I went to Duke would they give me a Koran? How about books arguing atheism?
Do they give all these books to freshmen without asking?
As the UK a Christian country, i would be very surprised if they started disributing Qurans at Uni's.. However.. in Islamic countries they do not distribute Qurans either (or Ipods just to be on the safe side).
If any students want other Holy books, then they should be provided to them as long as it will come as some sort of aid to their studies.
if you're gonna ban the bible, i say ban all books. i dont like to read. lol but i will read the bible, if i can. but if i cant might as well not read anything.
Originally posted by rwingett Despite Redmike's claim, they are not banning the bible. They are merely trying to get the university to stop putting bibles in all the student residences.
It would be like getting all US hotel chains to stop putting bibles in the rooms.
Originally posted by Peachy As the UK a Christian country, i would be very surprised if they started disributing Qurans at Uni's.. However.. in Islamic countries they do not distribute Qurans either (or Ipods just to be on the safe side).
If any students want other Holy books, then they should be provided to them as long as it will come as some sort of aid to their studies.
I guess you have a point. The UK has Christianity as an official state religion. Well, that's unfortunate, but I guess if that's the case, then it makes sense for the universities in that country to have a Christian bias.
http://www.answers.com/topic/state-religion
However in this case it was the students themselves who complained. There's nothing wrong with that.
I guess I'm spoiled by living in a country that has no official religion. Go USA!
Originally posted by chinking58 I think that if an organization chooses to give out some standard gift to its members, it would be because they believe that gift would have some benefit--they believe in the value of that gift.
Whether it's an ipod or a Bible or a list of the bars downtown or a safe-sex pamphlet, the group has its reasons and should have its freedom to give whatever ...[text shortened]... nd Huckleberry Finn instead, but you can certainly say 'no thanks', and go buy your own Twain.
The students have a right to complain about it however and to boycott the university.
i thinkt he bibles are distributed by gideons (we've got them in my hall at uni too), and they're just...there...like a lamp or the suicide bars on the windows (coincidentally, students aren't allowed up the tower in the cathedral during exam time as apparently people are prone to stress during such times, and are thus inclined to throw themselves off of very high buildings...). but they don't offend anyone, do they? you mgiht not need a bed side lamp, i don't use mine. and i haven't heard anything about all lamps being removed from rooms.
was the vote an officail one, or one done by the debating society. cause if it's done by the debating society, it's not that valid, tbh. apparetly the KKK* is good for our university, and our union is still at war with germany (it went to a vote, and is yet to be repealed).
Apologies - the use of the word 'ban' was indeed misleading, though it was what the BBC used in their headline.
Basically, its just the practise of leaving bibles in university residences which they're seeking to end. Of course, if the student has their own bible they wish to bring, its not banned.
I think this is a step in the right direction because its a move away from this notion that religion is somehow the norm.
Originally posted by AThousandYoung I guess I'm spoiled by living in a country that has no official religion. Go USA!
The USA has no official religion? Could have fooled me. Looked at a bank note recently? Do they not have "In God We Trust" written on them?
It may not be 'written down' official, but the USA seems to me to be a very Christian oriented country.
Originally posted by genius i thinkt he bibles are distributed by gideons (we've got them in my hall at uni too), and they're just...there...like a lamp or the suicide bars on the windows (coincidentally, students aren't allowed up the tower in the cathedral during exam time as apparently people are prone to stress during such times, and are thus inclined to throw themselves off of v ...[text shortened]... ill at war with germany (it went to a vote, and is yet to be repealed).
*kate kennedy klub...
It was a vote by the Student Council, rather than the debating society, so it is the policy of the body which represents the views of students.
I had a pal at university who made it his mission (no pun intended) to steal as many gideons bibles from university halls as he could. He even had cards printed, like the ones you get inside gideon bibles, which read something like 'supplied by Gideons, nicked by atheists'.
Originally posted by jimmyb270 The USA has no official religion? Could have fooled me. Looked at a bank note recently? Do they not have "In God We Trust" written on them?
It may not be 'written down' official, but the USA seems to me to be a very Christian oriented country.
It's a deist country which acknowledges the existence of God but is not officially Christian. Notice there's no mention of Jesus anywhere on the money or anywhere else.
The populace does tend to have a tendency towards Protestant Christianity, but it's not the official state religion.
Students vote to ban the bible
16 Apr '05 23:11
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