Editors note: The length requirement was waived due to space availability

Disappointed by coverage

I am writing to voice my concern over the content of two articles that were published in the Sept. 17 edition of the Technician. The article and viewpoint questioning the ability of preachers to address the student body on the Brickyard that speak to the effect of muzzling religious discourse on campus were very disturbing to me.

While I don’t agree with the styles and methods of interaction that were employed by the last two preachers, I must give them the ability to voice their opinion. If someone wants to proclaim that death and destruction will reign upon all of mankind, then fine, let them do it. They only speak to their own harm and discredit.

We are not forced to listen to them and, based on the number of students who gather around and listen, they are not a hindrance to the daily lives of students, as some would try to have us believe. The author of Monday’s viewpoint said, “…one has to realize that free speech is a privilege that should be exercised carefully and responsibly…” Since when is an act that is in the Constitution, and guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, a privilege? If this is the case, then my right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are all privileges that someone else gives or takes away from me. This is utterly wrong and goes against the values and traditions America was founded on and are touted by this University and this paper.

Additionally, if you want to censor/ban preachers from the Brickyard, as the article seems to suggest, then you must also be prepared to ban all groups, forums, discussion, announcements and all other forms of public address from the Brickyard. If one group, organization, creed, sect, etc. is removed then all must be removed as well. If a Christian preacher were removed from the Brickyard and another group was not, then the University and it officers and affiliates would be liable and responsible for religious discrimination and persecution that would rock the student body, undermine all that the University stands for and has fought for, and bring shame and disgrace to the University at the national level. Is this something you are ready to handle? I would say not.

Up until today I have been very pleased with your reporting of various events and issues. However, this issue was very poorly handled and has reduced my confidence in your reporting. The media is objective and has no agenda. Don’t deviate from this tradition.

Nathaniel HindsFreshman, Mechanical Engineering

Time for University to step in

In light of the recent onslaught of “Brickyard Preachers” I find not only my own biblical knowledge being tested but also my sanity. As a Christian, I am appalled at the messages these men are bringing to our campus. It saddens and angers me to think that hundreds of students are hearing their messages filled with bigotry and hate and believing that those messages represent Christianity.

I can’t speak for the rest of the campus population, but I don’t pay $12,000 a year to be insulted as I walk to class. To have a man who is in no way affiliated with my chosen institution of higher learning call me a “big-mouthed female,” “the devil,” and “a whore” and inform me that I am going to hell, regardless of my salvation in Christ, is just plain ridiculous.

These men have to apply for, and receive, permits to conduct their “business” in the Brickyard. So the question becomes, where in that process does the granter of that permit say “OK, here’s your permit, go offend the masses!”? One needn’t stop and listen to these people but that doesn’t stop them from pointing out passers-by. I have never seen a Brickyard preacher refrain from going outside his circle of attention to make a misguided point.

These men are teaching lies and false doctrine but, more importantly, they are crossing a line of human decency. Something needs to be done about their offensive messages and I believe it is the University’s responsibility to step up and take action to defend the integrity of the students that pay good money to support N.C. State.

Devon McNallySophomore, Mathematics/Mathematics Education