Editor,
Aside from being confused for David Martinez, the author of the piece published in the Daily Lobo on Tuesday, and, subsequently, taking a lot of flak for it, I also thought I would enter the debate. Over the course of defending my name, I've come up with an argument on the subject. I have just one question for everyone: Are you God or Jesus Christ incarnate?
I ask this because you have to be one of them to make a final, all-condemning argument. I am neither God nor Jesus Christ. I think that, while I'm entitled to my opinion, I do not have the right to pass final judgment or condemn any group of people. While I personally do not agree with homosexuality, I will not condemn anyone. I do not have the right to pass final judgment on anyone as I have my own sins. As long as another male does not make a sexual advance toward me, I do not care what people do in their private lives.
This is simply because homosexuals cannot directly affect me or make my life worse. They are not raining evil down upon me because they are different from me. I believe a simple solution is that you should create a dialogue with people instead of acting like the right arm of God. Instead of going on your personal crusade against the many, why not start with changing yourself?
What do I mean? Well, you cannot end any evil by fostering an attitude of hate on intolerance. Perhaps, the inscription on a bishop's tomb in Westminster Abbey might help: "When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world."
Perhaps instead of trying to change the world and rid it of all evil, you should look at changing yourself first. Who knows? Maybe you'll influence someone else who will then influence someone else to create an atmosphere of tolerance and compassion, much like Jesus Christ did.
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I cannot condemn a group of people for something I don't agree with. I am not God. I will just try to be tolerant, and I will try to live as moral a life as I can. With any luck, I will convince at least one other person around me to do the same. Kindness, tolerance and understanding started at the personal level might stop the so-called evil you see in the world.
Maybe the true evil is the creation of hate through judging those around you. Just a thought.
Daniel J. Martinez
UNM student
