photo by Olga Wrobel

Protesters march outside of Swanson Academic Center on Wednesday in response to the opinion article written in last week's Almanian.

Opinion article raises questions, doubts and anger across campus

Julie Bolitho

Staff Writer

The campus has buzzed, protes-tors have marched, and classrooms have been filled with the same discussions since the publish-ing of last week’s Almanian editorial written by student photographer, Thad Hopkins (07). The majority of campus has read or, at least, heard of the edito-rial, but for those who missed last week’s edition of the Almanian, Hopkins described Dunning Memorial Chapel as a “cesspool of sin and blasphemy.” He argued that Rever-end Christine Vogel should not be permitted to preach, as she is a woman; he cited Bible verses to support his claim. Furthermore, he argued that the chapel should not allow homosexuals to preach from the pulpit as happened during the college’s kick-off of Martin Luther King, Jr. week. The editorial also addressed the inappropriateness of certain Greek activities, such as Greek Week and Greek God, in the chapel.

Since the publication of the edi-torial, the campus has responded in a variety of methods. Perhaps one of the most no-ticeable reactions was the protest organized by Lisette Hoeltzel (06), Lexis Boothby (06), Sol Cortez (06), Amanda Leppek (06), Kim Graor (06), and Jessica Millis (06). Along with other students and members of campus’ PRIDE, the protesters carried signs in McIntyre Mall on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. The signs’ slogans, “Diversity NOT Adver-sity,” “Homosexuals are children of God too,”

“Women have the RIGHT to preach,” and other phrases captured the essence of the protest. These signs now reside infront of the Almanian office as a reminder to all who pass through the doors. Not only did this affect the college community, but the protestors also won a spot on the front page of Alma’s city news-paper, The Morning Sun.

Alma College’s under-ground newspaper, Alma Doesn’t Mater, also had a guest opinion regarding Hopkins’ editorial. Ryan Healey (04) responded to the citing of Bible passages in Hopkins’ edi-torial by claiming there are discrepancies in the Bible. He further noted “…anyone who knows the Bible knows that the devil knows the word of God inside and out and will use it to sway you.” Yet, Healey says, “Because of the reactions, because of people having opinions on both sides, I’m glad this has happened. This is how you have intelligent discussion and learn compassion.”

Not only have students respond-ed to the editorial, but the faculty has taken actions as well. William Palmer, professor of English, wrote a statement in support of Rev. Vogel that over 50 members of the Alma College staff signed. This statement calls Christine Vogel “a blessing to Alma College.”

Not all campus activities in re-sponse to the editorial have been considered constructive: flyers were printed of Hopkins’ face with words such as, “Have you seen this asshole today?” and “Have you seen this bigot?” Hopkins’ roommate, Jeff Barron (07), commented that numerous hate calls were phoned to their room, some of which played hymnal recordings in mockery of Hopkins’ beliefs. Rev. Vogel advises the campus community to consider the experience a “learning moment” and to “share compassion for one another.” She said people should respond “constructively, not destructively.”

Hopkins’ response to the campus is “’Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wis-dom of your words (Proverbs 23:9).’ No one cares enough to rationalize. It’s so much easier to ignore what I said than to study it, only to find that it’s true.”

Hopkins’ has not been the only member of campus to receive animosity for the editorial. Members of the Almanian staff, such as Whitney Hopkins (04) the opinion editor of the newspaper as well as Thad's sister, says she and The Almanian have taken a great deal of heat because of the editorial. Whitney Hop-kins stated, “[The Almanian’s] policy is to publish all letters to the editor and/or editorials, as long as they aren’t slander-ous or libel.”

In response to the editorial’s timing, Desmond Wright-Glenn (07), said, “[Hopkins] is entitled to his opinions, but I wish he would’ve been more tactful in his timing. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week is about embracing tolerance and diversity.”

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