Catholic is not synonymous with intolerant as the Viewpoint by Douglas Zabrowski from March 8 propounds. Zabrowski's conception of Marquette University and Catholic schooling in general, as the bastion of hope for all 'good' Catholics is preposterous to say the least. I can't speak for the Catholic schools he attended, but the Catholic grade school I attended had the same anti-catholic, corrupting influences I can find at any public campus on any given weekend. My Catholic grade school was also in an affluent suburb. Alcohol, drugs, sex; it was all there. It is all here, at Marquette. There is no protective bubble around the university deflecting the homeless from walking through our campus, locking the liquor cabinets and bars around the campus, or keeping homosexuals and heterosexuals alike in silent, submissiveness to the standards of the most conservative. This is reality. Take a dose. Not everyone is straight, white and affluent.

I've been on this campus and subject to the 'advertising' of the Gay/Straight Alliance and witnessed some of the activities they put on for their 'recruitment' week and all the rainbows still have not swayed me to begin rampantly lusting after my roommates. I still find women very attractive. This, however, does not mean I quiver every time I hear the word homosexual or hear of an event put on by the Gay/Straight Alliance. Since membership is open not only to gay students, but straight students as well, it might be a good idea for people who do not understand the struggles gay people have living in a predominantly straight society to join.

Defending the faith one believes in is critical to the development of the whole person, but it is important to know the correct teachings of the faith before defending them. In a close reading of the Catechism, one will not find the words 'small and private' to describe how Catholics should treat the homosexual community. It also does not say just being a homosexual is a sin, only when a person commits sexual acts without the expressed purpose of procreation. Jesus also stressed treating people how you would like to be treated and that sinners should not throw the first stones in judgment. The Rev. Al Sharpton, though characterized as insane by the right, often has some insightful words of wisdom. Here are some of them: "I may think that the sin you are committing is going to send you to hell, but I'll defend to the death your right to commit it." Living in a society that constantly challenges our faith, it is important to remember the need to debate issues, the need to question, not to just be robotic, pre-programmed, foot soldiers for a tunnel vision view of Catholic dogma. Dogma can change and is constantly evolving. It is time to rebuild a Catholic social conscience based on empathy and acceptance and use it.

Ryan McKean is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

This viewpoint appeared in The Marquette Tribune on April 7 2005.