I have a problem with the inclusion of a Consult a Christian column, but not because I want to suppress the Christian position in favor of championing atheist, Jewish, empiricist, Rastafarian, secular, Muslim or Shinto opinions. I will argue with the Christian views and disagree with their position, but defend to my death their right to say it, so to speak. But while Christians have every right to be represented in the paper, they do not need to be. They already have a voice in the many churches in Isla Vista, the folks you find in front of the UCen or on Del Playa and if you look past Santa Barbara — a voice the size of three-quarters of the U.S. population.
Much like saying heterosexual or capitalist views are underrepresented, it is ludicrous to believe that the Christian voice is being silenced. These ubiquitous viewpoints are ingrained in the fiber of our society and everyone knows them intimately regardless of their own personal beliefs. Christianity is not only the dominant religious view in our society but a full-blown institution equipped with the tools of political and social control, which affects my life whether I like it or not (I don’t, but I’ll save that for another day).
I understand that you did this in response to a torrent of critical letters, but I also know that the Nexus isn’t new to the idea that you cannot accommodate all dissenting perspectives. And to accommodate a view that manifests in the vast majority of society is irresponsible and truly unbalanced. On the other hand, it’s your newspaper, and if you wish to counterbalance all of your columns irrespective of any sensibility I have some suggestions: “Go Pollution,” “They’re Doing it Right,” “Reality Hits You Soft, Girl,” “Wednesday Chastity Belt,” “Socialist Said, Libertarian Said, and Libertarian-Socialist Said.”
David Sañosa is a fourth-year biopsychology and biochemistry major.