Last week, Andrew Palm had an article printed in this newspaper that certainly was the talk of the campus. Doctors Dean Nelson (who was actually the forum moderator, not a participant), Patrick Allen, Hadley Wood, and Professor Ron Benefiel were the target of a insult-filled rant laced with scriptures that supported Mr. Palm's point. As a Christian, and a Democrat who has voted for Clinton, I would like the opportunity to address some of these issues.

        Throughout the article, Mr. Palm refers to President Clinton as "a man of such disgusting, and low moral character" (as well as some other choice names), and asks the questions that if these charges were leveled at Dr. Bond, would we still recommend him for the job of President of Point Loma Nazarene College. My answer is yes, I would. Though I don't know the man personally, I feel that I know Dr. Bond's character through listening to him in chapel, and through what I hear of him through others that I respect. If these charges came up against this man, I would ridicule those who made them, and support Dr. Bond.

        On the other hand, neither myself nor, would I assume, Mr. Palm know President Clinton on such a level. There are certainly allegations concerning his character, but despite the fondest wishes of Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich, these allegations have not been proven. Unfortunately, since character is such an intangible quality, President Clinton's character will never be proven as good or bad. People will simply have to hold their opinions of the man. Certainly no man who is in favor of American ideals such as freedom of speech or freedom of the press will condemn another man for his opinions.

        Mr. Palm then goes on to quote Matthew 18:6, which states "But, if anyone who causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." However, right above it, Matthew 18:5 makes clear that this verse is referring to little children. I certainly did not come to a four year college to be treated as a little child. I came here to become a critical thinker, capable of examining all available data, and drawing my own conclusions. Many times it takes a viewpoint that I may not agree with to make me develop that quality.

        The next verse quoted is 2 Timothy 4:3-4, which states "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and aside to myths." To me, it seems obvious by the reaction to the opinions of Drs. Allen, Wood, Nelson and Professor Benefiel, that these opinions are not what wants to be heard at this campus, and the students did not turn their ears away from the truth they believed.

        Now I have a verse that I want to share. Romans 8:1 states, "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those in Christ". Many Christians interpret this as a basic statement that we are free from the law (and from the power of sin). I choose to take this interpretation to a higher level, and state that not only is there no condemnation of those in Christ, but there can be no condemnation by those in Christ. To call a fellow Christian such things as "lukewarm" or imply that they need to get their prayer life in order because of their political opinions is wrong. Every fiber of my being screams at me that this is wrong. I could go into my own political diatribe detailing how Republicans are not completely faultless when the issue of character comes along, but I leave that for others to pursue.

        However, I do find myself in gratitude to Mr. Palm for bringing up a point that has plagued me on this campus. Whenever it comes up in casual conversation that I am a Democrat, I get treated in a different way. People start questioning my own character, or assume that I automatically believe in abortion or homosexual rights. Some people are joking in this, but some are not, and it bothers me that fellow Christians would treat me thus. I know I am not alone in this. We all need to ask ourselves: why?