Letters to the Editor: 2/26/13

To the editor,

I write in response to the “Losing our religion” opinion piece from the Feb. 22 issue of The Pitt News.

Michael Van Ness, representing Pitt’s Christian InterVarsity club, was right to acknowledge that no one can speak for the entirety of a community that they identify with. In addition to this important clarification, he also made a point to demonstrate a rational appreciation for science alongside his faith.

But Van Ness perturbed this reader when he seemed to make the case for viewing important issues in “super black and white” terms. This, I argue, is a simple formula for conflict.

Life, the universe, everything ­— it is a gray scale. Better yet, it is a diverse color spectrum. Recognizing this is the only way that many people of differing beliefs and disparate perspectives can learn to cooperate and coexist in some kind of harmony.

How else can we hope to demonstrate “empathy for what other people believe or [think]” unless we acknowledge the legitimacy of our differences? Surely, we do not achieve this by the imposition of values? Will strong(er) beliefs somehow help us get along with those who do not share them?

Partly, he is right: Some of us do not do a good job saying there are multiple allowable views. But when we take something like faith or religion extremely seriously, implying something over and above a normal seriousness, we polarize the discussion and communication ceases. Nothing is really said during a shouting match.

Shane Garrity

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

To the editor,

It was awesome seeing that The Pitt News reported on the District 8 city council race, especially since Pitt is located in this district. I think candidate Dan Gilman has many ideas that would really help out current Pitt students and those who want to stay here after their time as a Panther.

Just by clicking through his website, it’s obvious that Gilman already has the experience and ideas that make him a candidate that students should want as their councilperson. He’s already written the legislation for both the Clean Water and Clean Air acts, which help make the city a better place for us to live, and he wants to pass more legislation that will make Pittsburgh even better. Likewise, Dan wants to work with groups that can help student entrepreneurs get the next big ideas off the ground. He also wants to finally upgrade the city’s snow-removal technology so that people actually know what roads have already been cleared just by checking online.

I think students and District 8 residents, in general, will really benefit from having Gilman as our city councilman. I know he has a great vision for the district and city, in general, and with our support, everyone else will be able to see this vision come to life.

Sincerely,

Adam Curfman

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences