Atheism is religion in denialIn response to Religion is atheism in denial (Sept. 24), I would like to propose that, in fact, atheism is religion in denial. All the arguments that Mr. Lis raised against organized religion could easily be raised against almost any organized gathering of like-minded people, including atheists. How ridiculous is the argument “…if people could actually interpret God on their own, religion would serve no purpose” if it is restated “…if people could actually learn on their own, education would serve no purpose?” How about changing the statement “Organized religion has nothing to do with believing in God. It is just a business with a great profit margin” into “The free press has nothing to do with information or insight. It is just a business with a great profit margin.” Are people expected to take such hollow statements seriously? How about the idea that any organized religion is faulty because it’s members are hypocrites? Guess what? Atheists are hypocrites too. Without “real evidence” to support the fact that we live in a godless universe, atheism is little more than “masses of people agreeing upon an opinion a.k.a. religion. “As for the claim that organized religions neglect the homeless and don’t speak out against war: here are a few websites one could visit to learn otherwise: www.habitat.org, www.worldvision.ca, www.mcc.org. Mr. Lis cleverly talks about religion as a concept, but as a member of an organized religion, I cannot help but feel personally attacked. Why would The Varsity even publish an article containing such animosity and ignorance regarding organized religion? If such statements were made against a single religion or minority group it would be called hate propaganda! Shame on The Varsity!Jeremy SiemensJust wait till next year re: Noel McFerran’s letter, I am that Frosh leader, on the cover of The Varsity, whom the letter from Mr. Noel McFerran addresses so indignantly. The supposed injustice was the mocking of the Catholic church. As a Catholic myself, I feel a kinship with the perceived lack of respect that other colleges, particularly Trinity (which I attend) hold for the church. However, it is merely perceived, for Trinity mocks all beliefs, religious or otherwise, in its SAC parade performance, and tries to do so in good humour. As speaker of the LIT, and the man who led Trinity’s insult-laden parade, I apologize to all who were genuinely offended by my/our remarks. As for Mr. McFerran’s claim that I would not utter, “our men can have foreskins,” please take consolation in that it is now in our repertoire, and we will use it next year.Kit ScotchmerUndergrads can’t afford to stay out of CFSIan Ferguson’s article, SAC divided over joining left-wing student union (Sept. 17) mentioned some questions that some people have about Canadian Federation of Students membership. As a proud member of the CFS since 1981, the Graduate Students’ Union has addressed these concerns. It seems to me that as student debt continues to explode and tuition to skyrocket, the question becomes not why to unite, but rather how much longer we can afford to remain divided.“Tuition skyrocketing” is no empty rhetoric. In the last twenty years, U of T tuition has risen by about a factor of five. In that time, the CFS has opposed tuition increases, and called for freezes or reductions. That opposition’s a factor in Newfoundland, Quebec, Manitoba, PEI, and Saskatchewan, where fees have been frozen or reduced. Without the organization to oppose the interests wanting to raise tuition, our interests go begging and we lose control of our situation. While U of T is a very large university, it is not a national student movement, and it can’t command the same kind of influence at the national and provincial levels. Today, the desperate situation for many students makes clear the need for a strong national student movement. Last year, the members of APUS, SAC, and SAC-Scarborough showed they thought so too, by having their groups take out prospective membership in the CFS.The University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union is a founding member of the CFS. Today, U of T graduate students enjoy unprecedented levels of funding and security. Meanwhile, U of T undergrads are facing $7,000 tuition in Engineering and $5,000 in Arts & Sciences. The point of a real student movement is representation; without the ability to represent yourself effectively and in numbers, no matter how good the intentions your voice will not be heard. Now more than ever, U of T’s indebted students cannot afford to be silent.Nathan SimingtonSecretary, U of T GSU Executive
