Opinion Page

Indeed, some of what you've been reading and hearing is true.

All right, all right already-- I admit to harsh dialect and an excessive, intense emotional tone.

I'd like to move on, for there are ample topics besides this one to discuss, but first I must expound upon my platform, my ideas, thoughts and thrust of energy directed toward those of the homosexual agenda.

First, I'd like to thank whoever leaked my phone number and delivered a note under false pretenses to some upset readers of my column.

One particular reader called my home recently and left a wonderful message (cursing, name-calling, blame-throwing, condemning, etc.) on my machine.

I have taped it for the individual who so desperately wished to hear that reader's response to my column. Just call me up and we'll do coffee.

Now, for those of this university and this community who wish to further understand where I am coming from, I shall expand on my article from a couple of weeks ago.

I am not directly responsible for the death of Matthew Shepard. Everyone who spreads jokes and disapproval of those of such an alternative lifestyle is most certainly indirectly responsible.

This includes me. Even though, I had no knowledge of what happened to him at the time I wrote the article.

I think this may be true. We ALL come to college searching for an identity. We don't know what we're in for.

There is a world of choices, so we guess on which group, which activity, which cause is right for us.

None of us know any better. We just go for what sounds most like us. Pain, joy, entertainment, deepening knowledge and fellowship all go into this decision.

So? How can I speak out of love? This is how: First, I'd like to sincerely apologize if I deeply hurt some individuals by the tone of that article.

I did not wish to mercilessly crush, but to wake up sleepy opinions, stances and beliefs.

Because I believe that many in the Alliance's movement are hurting, my heart truly does ache and reach out.

I love each individual in the Alliance, but I just cannot recognize their choice as right. Can't you see the amount of pain and anguish it causes you? How can I help ease your pain? By not condemning you to hell? I haven't and I won't.

By not speaking harshly or sarcastically of your dilemma? Ok, I admit I took my words to the extreme, but I had to grab attention somehow.

I do not believe that "God hates fags." I do not think nor can I rationalize that all gays are going to burn in hell.

I've been deciphered and critiqued incorrectly, so please allow me to present my two cents in a pure unaltered light.

Knowledge is the key to curing many of society's ills. "Ignorance," however, is an assumption.

It is an action that is carried out, an expression that is delivered and a thought that is voiced without enough information.

My words and my emotions, so to speak, in my last article, are not ignorance.

These have been my personal opinions, and it is my personal choice to pray for you.

I don't know how to prove my love here. My arms are opening wider as I learn more of such a lifestyle each day. Get this: I am not perfect.

I am an outspoken individual who just happens to be a Christian, learning more about his opinions and quick tongue every minute.

Christ loves homosexuals as well. He does not condemn them. He speaks of life and its venues in the truest, wisest and most applicable sense I have ever found. I try to follow his example as best I can. Sometimes I screw up. Just witness how I increased the pain of some already hurting on this campus.

My knowledge and information have led to my overall opinion.

You see, without emotion, without zeal, there is no spunk in life. There is not enough energy for any cause to succeed.

I may indeed be emotional on this topic; I may in fact have a deeply entrenched, heartfelt position and approach on a topic.

But this does not make me ignorant, much less too emotional, for this does not make for a weakness, but rather a strength, in that zeal is what leads a vision, a goal, an organization, an individual dream, a belief to victory.

Emotion? I rained on the Alliance's parade during their week of coming-out pride; emotion was heard in the message readers left for me.

Emotion is what drives this paper, not dull lifeless articles about computers or the environment.

This paper is for getting people motivated to speak up, to want to fight for a cause.

Don't solely depend on me or any one group or the general categorization of "Christians" to correctly depict Christ in all circumstances. We are all "mankind," and as we all sin, it's hard to always get it right.

Theological and philosophical concerns presented logically and rationally isn't what makes up life.

Sure, I dive into theological and philosophical discussion everyday and, believe it or not, I even present my side using logic and rational viewpoints.

Sometimes, however, emotion can justly spearhead my thoughts. Such is true in this case.

To further shock the general audience and change the rating from G to PG-13, which involves more cognitive thinking and a more involved craving for life.

I must share with you that evidence and fact can go hand-in-hand with emotion.

I see it as a persuasion for those who have felt spat on to spit on others. This is NOT hate, mind you.

Why is it that whenever this issue is approached or discussed, society is forced to divide itself along the lines of love and hate?

One can possess outrage and disgust, even believe things are nasty and biologically incorrect (hence, unnatural), without being filled with hate.

Perchance emotion is what drives a person to "come out of the closet." Could it be that emotion, hurt, pain and past suffering are what leads an individual to lean toward homosexuality or choose such a course for life? A lifestyle CHOICE? Yes, and I don't know.

Scientifically, I've simply not seen enough evidence to prove that it is NOT a choice in most circumstances.

Yes, I've heard of "the gland" in males that is larger in homosexual males than in heterosexual males, but I've also heard that the finding is rare and cannot be fully explained. Thus, I'm lead to believe homosexuality is a choice.

Do not be led astray into thinking, taking the historical events out of context, and creating one's own interpretation that it did not involve homosexuality, for it most certainly did.

However, the wrath of our Creator is evident here. The language of love and the healing He induces far outweighs such an occurrence.

He does not wish to destroy. God's position is in convicting, healing and loving one back into His presence.

I've wandered far, have you? The emotion comes in as you do some soul searching, to challenge your entire being and deciding with all you're worth whether what you are doing is what's best for you, or not.