While most of Nick Vogt's article on Indiana's new legislation intrigues me, there are a few points that I feel I should call to attention, as I feel it is bad journalism. This, in effect, will not be a reply, but rather someone raising concerns for the articles published in The Daily Gamecock.
To start, the article contradicts itself. Vogt says, “It’s incredibly disappointing that even in the modern United States, we still have governmental leaders who have utter disregard for equality.” Later he then contradicts this call for equality when he says, “religion and religious leaders have absolutely no space to be included in lawmaking, even in a ceremonial gesture.”
I really hope I do not have to go into great detail about the flat contradiction between these two statements, but I will say a few brief remarks. To say that religion, which, despite personal preference, many people practice, has no place in "lawmaking" is to say anyone who is religious should not partake in lawmaking in any form. The consequences of this popular postmodern view are serious. It is a direct attempt to keep people who practice any religion out of upper tier of society, which is, in effect, intolerant.
The second concerning part of this piece is Vogt’s insertion of a “slippery slope” argument. He says, “Whether or not the law is discriminatory, which I believe it certainly can be.” To say that something can be bad and therefore we should not endorse it is a slippery slope argument, and a fallacy.
I know that it might sound like I am being harsh, but I think Vogt and I can agree that the recent law passed in Indiana is an important one, and conversation on the topic should be critical. In our critical discussions we should, however, be clear, logical and careful not to make things say something they do not in order to further a political campaign.
Lastly, in our daily conversations with people who hold different beliefs and faiths, we should be slow to speak and quick to listen. This means listening to people of religious faiths and their leaders, as well as listening to people who do not practice a religion.
Tolerance means allowing for the existence of people, opinions and beliefs different from our own.