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2 near Serving US Wendy Hudson, Editor in Chiei Editor! Lucy Arnold, Jamie Clark, Erin Gallow Allison Williams, Larry Willia Call for feder education sti i Fourth District Republican Cong Grand Market Place Friday, and US( the standard for Republican politicia give a speech, answer some questions cy concerning the end of funding for < This time, the Republican repres* federal Department of Education, sa] tie funding. According to Inglis, the major effect on college students unl The point exactly, Mr. Inglis: At ] be looking around every corner for wi more, a little education goes a long v time when the importance of educat: matter what size the cuts may be. Inglis also advocated changing the changes would eliminate a mere 175 tend college. Also discussed was the students an exemption from interesl after they leave school; but this woulc body concerned that Pell Grant recip ten off so easily ? with only a shrug It seems that the new goal ofRepu of difficulty possible in receiving a h ther you try to advance, the more difi Perhaps we're slowly reverting to wealthiest members of the upper ech -J jJ euucauun. Elitism, anyone? Biblical illit to fictional CARSON BUSH Columnist There is a professor in the Religious Studies Department that has seen a problem, and he is determined to see it fixed. Dr. Don Jones teaches many of the classes that the department offers on both New and Old Testament studies, including subjects on the Historical Jesus and Paul, as well as introductions to both sections of the Christian scripture. Iam currently in my third class with him, so I obviously give him some credit for knowing what he is talking about. The other students who have had his classes can testify to what I am about to say. He walks into class determined to impart knowledge to his students, and it is very seldom that he ends a class without echoing his great battle cry, "Help me stamp out Biblical illiteracy." He tells his students what is really in the Bible, not the same as what they always heard. Though his statements are sometimes unpopular, nothing will faze him. Despite comments and letters, as well as people dropping the class because they disagree, he carries on with his work of correcting ignorance of the Scripture. Through my studies, I have learned that he is right, and that much of what I was taught in Sunday School is not what is found in the Bible. The big problem, though, is that I see the same lack of education in many churches: children are told Bible stories out of context, adults do not know the relationship between baptism and communion, and many other gaps in what the functioning Christian should understand. What has happened is that people are claiming to be part of a faith when they do not know what that faith is truly about. Also, they are dead sure that the Bible, the cornerstone of that faith, is the true word of God, but yet they do not know what is really in it. They are Biblically illiterate. Part of the problem is also lazi ness. Parents expect the church to teach the child what the child should know, mainly because the parents themselves do not know the hue contBaffeock 5g FAX: Student Media Russell House-USC* Co Wendy Hudson Lucie Arnold Editor in Chief Stephanie Matt Pruitt Sonnenfeld Viewpoints Editor Features Editors Chris Winston Larry Williams Copy Desk Chief Ryan Allison Williams Sports Editors News Editor Jamie Clark Keith Boudreaux Photo Editor Circulation Manager The Gamecock is the student newspaper of the University of South Carolina and is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. Opinions expressed in The Gamecock are those of the editors or author and not those of the University of South Carolina. The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of The Gamecock. The Department of Student Media is its parent organization. 1 ffeocfc IC Since 1908 f Matt Pruitt, Viewpoints Editor al Board ay, Gregory Perez, Stephanie Sonnenfeld, ms, Ryan Wilson, Chris Winston al cuts shows II not priority ressman Bob Inglis paid a visit to the 2 students witnessed what has become ins, on both a state and national level: i and smilingly spout out some propheeducation. jntative advocated the abolition of the ring that this agency provides very litloss of federal funding will not have a ess coupled by cuts in state funding, present, the S.C. Legislature seems to ays to cut education funding. Furtherray. Cutting educational funding, at a ion seems to be abating, is absurd, no ; criteria for Pell Grants. The proposed 1,000 opportunities for students to atelimination of a program that allows t on student loans until sixth months I only affect graduate students. Is anyients and graduate students are writof the shoulders? blicans is to create the greatest amount igher education. Even worse, the furBcult it becomes. the medieval mentality that only the elons of society should be afforded an S, eracy leads spirituality tent of the Bible. But the job before the church is too much to handle sometimes. People say they know that the Bible is right because that is what they were taught, but yet they think about God only for one hour a week. They do not bother to open the book to check and make sure that the teacher was right. They do not claim the Bible as their own. Some would say that a Christian should accept the teachings of the Bible with the simplicity of a child and not question it at all. I disagree, as do many scholars. Father Raymond Brown, who spoke at the Hall Lecture last spring here at USC, says the following in the foreword to his book, "An Introduction to New Testament Christology" (Mahwah: Paulist, 1994): "Christian believers whose spiritual lives should be shaped by the Master, if they have not wrestled in some mature way with the identity of Jesus, are in danger of constructing a fictional Jesus and attempting to get guidance from him." There is a reason that many people do not look and see what is in the Bible: they are afraid of what they might find. To find anything that mignt damage tneir personal iaitn is a risk they will not take out of fear the whole structure might collapse. Their faith must be neat and packaged without any loose ends. However, that is not faith at all. Hebrews defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is being able to stare at the problems of the Bible and still be able to believe with everything that you are that you are right The "leap of faith" is taking a step out when you are not sure if there is really a bridge there to hold you up. There are many mistakes and errors floating around in Christian education today. The church is not standing up and teaching its members the way that it should, because it does not always have the resources nor the support. Open the book, read it, and do not be afraid to say, "Thats not what my Sunday School teacher said." Make it your own. There are problems, but the big message is still the same. Dr. Jones, this was for you. : 777-7726 . . ___ .. .. urapmcs caitor 777 AdS Gregory Perez 777-o4o2 Design Editor lumbia, SC 29208 Kyan fjms Online Editor Martha Hotop Chris Carroll Tina Morgan Director of Student Media Asst. News Laura Day Ben Pillow Creative Director Chris Dixon Jeff A. Breaux Asst. Features Art Director Robbie Meek Erik Collins Asst. Sports Faculty Advisor Jason Jeffers Cartoonist Letters Policy The Gamecock will try to print all letters received. Letters should be 200-250 words and must include full name, professional title or year and major if a student. Letters must be personally delivered by the author to The Gamecock newsroom in Russell House room 333. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit all letters for style, possible libel or space limitations. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances. yiEWPC mmu.iiiw.Tia \ J "ftSTWsUES-LET'S m m ^ A eESlOHSipLE "g MANNER..." U3W rv.rk I Irr iMQ/-Oiflcr ^^3 QUOTE, UNQUOTE "We're doubling funding for prii Thomas Cooj Well, you know the school year is in full swing wh( the "Thomas Cooper Pervert" is at it again. Those you who read the USC Crime Report religiously, lil I do, will know that this guy has flashed more tha his share of library coeds. Last year, he set a singl season record of somewhere around 22 successful Has! es." In fact, he's on pace to become the most prolific ] brary flasher in Gamecock history. Not that Fm tr ing to make light of a heinous criminal, but this gi really is a pro. I mean, he's been at it for over two yea] now and the USC Police still have no clues as to wl he is, where he came from, and what his motivatic is for dropping his pants. His media image sure could use a little work, ho\ ever. If you're out there pal, let ol' Matt give you son ideas for a sure-fire publicity campaign. First, you nee to change your name to something flashy (my since est regrets for that horrible pun), like, oh say; the "Ui aFlasher." Next, you submit a 20-page manifesto 1 The Gamecock containing a bunch of that "What wrong with this country" and "If I were in charge" era] Threaten that if they don't print it, you'll move yoi base of operations from the Thomas Cooper Librai to the McKissick Museum. I guarantee CNN coverag by the end of the week. Finally, get some busines cards printed up (KINKO's is very discreet and wi cut you a good deal, I'm sure) and leave them at th scene of each crime. It adds that extra touch of clas and says, "Hey, this guy really cares about what h LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Gamecock Since I started the University of South she woulc Carolina, I have noticed a disturbing to his coh trend with regard to The Gamecock. In ners wou a nutshell, the disturbance is the in- cheering crease in the number of issues put out for wome each week. It seems that all the worth- human af less material that your paper covers has ners, chivi not increased, yet I find myself picking messed u up the paper more and more each year, vote, worl So, you may ask, why do I pick it up? the blanl My answer is that I need something to Conch occupy my 15-minute break between bring bac classes. I enjoy very much laughing at Thorson the paper, and this includes Calvin & ever happ Hobbes. Also, my student funds are go- lose Drev ing, in part, to help run your organiza- nist. tion, and I am curious as to what is being published, each time hoping that it will be worth my energy to bend over and pick it up. Another complaint I have is that of the columns of Drew Stewart. I have a SpBCti hard time conceiving, not to mention . . putting into words, how preposterous SUDSIc his columns are. Using blatant stereotypes, he offers his ignorant opinions on I am a the difference between men and women, which I re By statements such as "if it weren't for pus mailh the fact that the mall closed, they (fe- as the Sej males) probably wouldn't leave," or "this Spectato it the time when the male's paycheck abounded gets shot to the devil," I sit baffled at the negative ignorance. Maybe I am not a "real" man and issue: because "my girl" does not take my mon- infinite w ey. In fact, if I referred to her as "my girl" ANTS H AeoRrot,eurm$ u 3 uiTiM&my UP TO gl -1 THEMarHER..." Je 5 fP%t ATTUiS &TE, t^S .# SHouLP KNc pf ALL ABOUT HIM ' im##, tons but reducing funding for schools. We nee SG President Amy Bigham >er flasher goes of MATT HORGAN te u! Columnist e h- does." li- Geez, where are my manners? Here I am writing y- my column to one particular sicko and leaving the rest iy of you kids out. So, did everybody see the football game ra on Saturday? You know, after last season's bowl win, 10 supposedly a "new era" in Gamecock Football began. ? But so far this year, the "new era" has looked more like the Second Ice Age that I keep hearing about on v- the Discovery Channel (speaking of the Discovery ie Channel, doesn't it seem like every other week is Shark id Week now? It's the only time people will watch, ber* cause, otherwise, they're showing documentaries about i- deerticks or 18th Century Hats. I think someone in ? programming is a bit out of touch, but anyway...) So 's the football team isn't playing so good, but this isn't a P- sports column so let's move on shall we? it You know people, our time on this earth is so brief, y so fleeting, that 1 don t see why we waste it standing ? in the sandwich line at the Grand Marketplace. It's a iS sandwich fer chrissakes, how long can it take? They've 11 got trained laboratory rats that can make them faster, but Brainiac 5 behind-the-counter is taking pans to >s make sure all the smear marks in the peanut butter e flow the same way. : should return t< 1 kill me, which refers me back sive, I could find not a sing nnn and the statement "man- gument substantiating th< Id be as existent as a redneck fensiveness. section at Spoleto if it weren't The Spectator characte n." Does referring to another phobia as "the disgust mos 3 mine show any kind of man- feel toward unnatural sexu aliy or respect? Maybe we men The implication seems to ip when we let those women should be disgusted with a ?, leave the house or you fill in rally occurring sexual or < i. evidently, Drew thinks so. ty. Following this logic, shot osions: fewer issues each week, fore be disgusted with peo k the "Sporting Fool" by Tim contraceptives? For people a ? that was the best thing to traceptive are "unnaturally en to journalism ? and please nature's intended purpose ol i Stewart as a regular colum- and thereby are also enga; natural sexual relations." E er examples of "disgusting Brian Mouzon activities; cooking food, ci History senior shaving, cireumdsion, dee, and of course, gomg to colic When you really get do itor's claims lack tacks, isn't the antipathy tfo II . ir ple feel toward homosexual inTiailOfl a person^ distaste for it rat any established moral grou ippalled by the tissue of hate don't think everybody shou sceived unsolicited in my cam- ly like homosexuality, any ax last week, otherwise known think everybody should per >t. 1995 issue of The Carolina eating spinach, or squid, or b r. Although The Spectator ing. What I am advocating with blatant attempts to arouse one to adopt a live-and-let-1 amotions against those people of toleration and acceptance I s which Mr. Davenport in his individuals who engage i: isdom finds personally offen- which may, or may not be, al "cup of tea." Tuesdav. September 26. 199B d to stop and consider the costs." back to work Of course, here I am complaining, and I don't think I ever made myself a sandwich in the whole 18 years that I lived at home. When you're real young, your mom will always make your sandwiches for you, 'cause you're her "little boy." Later on, though, she'll start throwin' that "self-sufficient" crap at you and believe me, you gotta be innovative if you want to continue sitting on your hinder. So, I adapted to survive in my environment. Here's how: ME: Mom, can I have a sandwich? MOM: Sure honey... if you make it yourself. ME: (expletive) (ten minutes later) MOM: So, did you make yourself a sandwich? ME: Nah, I just grabbed these cookies. MOM: Give me those! I won't have you eating junk, m fix you a nice, healthy tuna fish sandwich. ME: Thanks Mom! I used to pull that stunt every other day... worked like a charm, too. Now Fm in college and no one will cook my ten-cent Ramen noodles for me, damn them all. Before I go, I'd like to urge one and all to put a "Kick Me" sign on a Zipsheet distributor's back in this coming week. ItH be a token of appreciation for the fine job they do on this campus everyday. Hug 'em too... no don't. rp 3 old schedule = le cogent ar- I would like to issue the following tir moral of- challenge to Mr. Davenport and his coterie of fellow hatemongers on The Carirized homo- olina Spectacle, er, Spectator: provide t Americans some solid grounds showing that hoal relations." mosexuality is ipso facto immoral, that i be that we is, intrinsically destructive to the huny "unnatu- man character and relationships of those ather activi- individuals who consensually engage in ild we there- it, or to society at large. Is that too hard pie who use to ask? Indeed, I think individuals likn vho use con- Mr. Davenport, and others of his ilk who ? thwarting unwarranted^ fan the flames of hatred ' procreation, and intolerance, are the truly immoral ging in "un- ones. I am personally and morally dislere are oth- gusted with The Carolina Spectator. " unnatural itting hair, Eric B. Read ) sea diving, Philosophy Senior ige. wn to brass -M. ? s writgnow her than on nds? Now, I Reader responses are welcome. Id personal- All letters should be between 200 more than I and 250 words and delivered personally like sonally to The Gamecock newsungeejump room in room 333 of the Russell is for every- House . Major and classification live attitude should also be included. The toward those Gamecock reserves the right to n activities edit all letters for length and our person- possible libel. ^__________ 1