The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 34, Ed. 1, Friday, January 24, 1986 Page: 2 of 10
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Abilene Christian University Library.
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opinion
friday Jan. 24 1 986
optimist A-2
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Club system didn't help Zetas
First the "Big Three? gobbled up their
prospective pledges in the fall leaving
few behind for the others.
Then the "others" were allowed to take
spring pledges.
But by then even the Social Club Task
Force's last minute efforts couldn't help
the smaller clubs very much.
Less than 10 years ago Zcta Rho Alpha
had about 40 active members. Soon it
will be non-existent.
Optimist
clndl patterson editor-in-chief t
angle mayo friday editor
mlchclle morris features editor
thomas graham sports editor
kerry cole asst sports editor
teresatrumbly- design editor . -. .
lora postelwalt - friday copy editor -
rick patterson friday chief photographer
kenneth pybus stats
sdr. diaries marlcr adviser
sHerri sutler ' ad director
scott bray -sales
dave cole sales
connle svytek production manager
ames bllllngsley asst production
Tht Optlmlit (0OJO-4O49) If publlihtd wetldy tuctpt duilnj ium-
mtri. VKiUonj nd ftrul lumi by tht )oumallim and Mill Com-
munktucn Dtvtilon of Abiltnt dvUtlin Unlvtrtlty Ablltnt Tern
796M. Stnd tddrtts chinjM to UK Optlmlit. ACU Sutton Box 8203.
bnt TexM 74694
Wtofiil opinion pptutng In th Optimist view of tht tuR
nd da not nectiMrily ttflert tht olfldtl policy of tht ACU tdmlnlitf
Don. Sljntd eolumni rr prtMM tht Individual vltvn of tht nuthon
Tht Optlmlit It tmluttd with tht Aiiocltted Collejlm Prll tht
Ttxti Inttrcoflt jlttt Ptm Allocution tht Southweit ounllm Coo-
gnu. tht Aitocuttd Pitti. Cotltft Prtit Strvkt tnd tht Rocky Moun-
tain Collegittt Prtsi Allocution
Nuclear
Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev's publicity moves
on the way to the November summit
were expected and successfully counterat-
tacked by some clever Ronald Reagan
moves.
But the Reagan administration wasn't
prepared for the Soviet leader to make his
most calculated move toward gaining
favor of world opinion after the summit
meeting.
Jn one swift clever move Gorbachev
lias left Reagan officials dumbfounded by
the startling Soviet proposals to make the
world free of nuclear weapons.
The proposals were presented as a
three-stage timetable ending at the turn of
the century. In the first stage the two
superpowers would cut by 50 percent
their nuclear weapons capable of striking
the other's country including
intermediate-range missiles in Europe.
But Gorbachev was unclear about '
whether the Soviet's intermediate-range
missiles would be destroyed or simply
King's
holiday
Editor's note:
" Thae quota were chosen far the first an-
nual Martin Luther King Jr.' holiday
honoring him for being a national hero.
"Martin Luther King believed as I and
so many Americans do that our country
will never be completely free until all
Americans enjoy the full benefits of
' freedbnv"
President Ronald Reagan as
quoted In the Washington Post.
Martin Luther King Jr.
"I consider Martin Luther King the
single most important man with the most
important message in this the most
violent century in the history of mankind.
That message was cither we learn
together as brothers or we shall perish
together as foola."
Walter Fauntroy president of
Southern Christian Leadership
board of directors as quoted In the
Austin American-Statesman.
Although club president Sonya Bell
doesn't blame anyone for the -club's
folding we can't help but wonder how
this could have been avoided.
She said back when the group was a
larger social club it thought students
could identify with it but soon the
Zetas just diminished.
Bell said in the last four years of the
club's existence it became more difficult
to get women motivated to join because
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makes proposal
moved into Asia where they could be
returned quickly if needed.
In 1990 the second stage of the Utopian
plan would call for further reductions in
the missiles and a phased elimination of
battlefield nuclear weapons.
This stage would affect all nuclear
powers including France Britain and
China.
Then in the third stage. all nations
would eliminate all remaining nuclear
weapons.
Who would have ever thought the
Soviets would have devised such a plan?
For them to agree to a similar plan would
be surprising enough but for the pro-
posal of a nuclear-free world to come
from the Soviet leader is mind-boggling.
Of course the simple straightforward
plan also causes suspicion in the minds of
many. One would expect the proposals to
have some sort of catch. And this plan
has one major one Strategic Defense
Initiative.
"'V
Zeta Rho Alpha
'folds' after 40 years
To the editor:
This is a very hard letter for me to
write because it announces the'endjOf an
organization that has been on this campu3
for over 40 years.
Zeta Rho Alpha was chartered in 1944
and at one time was the largest women's
social club on campus.
A few years ago however the members
started to decrease in number and today
there are only nine active members left.
After much thought prayer and discus-
sion the remaining members have found
no other alternative than to "fold" the
club.
We would like to thank Cynthia Cooke .
associate dean of students for all the sup-
port and assistance she has given us since
the beginning of the school year.
We would also like to express our ap-
preciation to the original members of the
organization for chartering Zeta; it gave
us an opportunity to make new friends
draw closer to each other and share our
love for Christ with people that if it were
not for our club we would never haye
known.
Finally to all those who at anytime
pledged Zeta Rho Alpha and especially'to
those I have been in club with and love
very much I would like to quote our
brother Paul from his letter to the
Philipplans:
"I thank my God every time I
remember you. In all my prayers for all of
you I always pray with jby because of
your partnemiip in the gospel from the
first day unlfl now."
Sonya Bell t
Zeta Rho Alpha president
Senior
the same 12 people were out doing public
rclatioris work for their club.
The brobkm is that the "Big Three"
women's social clubs received most of the
pledges Sigma Thcta Chi GATA and
Ko Jo Kal take the largest number of
pledges; leaving only a few to join the
D.T.'s Kadics and Zetas.
Why docs a person join onq of the big
clubs? Status.
As Bell said it takes a lot of courage to
r
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OTY OUCH
mium-.
Cotoga Ptm Swco
SDI has been made the major obstacle
to a nuclear-free world at least according
to Soviet propaganda. If President
Reagan would just give up his Star Wan
program the world could live in peace.
The Soviet leader said "instead of
wasting the next 10 to 15 yean by
developing new weapons in space
allegedly designed to make nuclear arms
useless would it not be more sensible to
eliminate those arms?"
On the surface the proposals look quite
simple and sincere. But with a deeper
look to find what the motivation could
have been for Gorbachev's proposals one
would certainly have to agree that Star
Wars in itself is motivation enough.
In addition a deeper look at the effects
of Gorbachev's announcement would
lead one to the realization that while
Reagan might be lagging in the race for
the public spotlight he now has the ad-
vantage of knowing just how strongly the
Soviets fear SDI.
-S- S
letters to the editor
Speech education major
Bowie
Senior examines theories
proper aqadmic approach
To the editor:
Understanding evolution requires more
than just a glance. Evolution is not the
theory of evolution. The theory of evolu-
tion asserts a spontaneous origin of life
separate from God.
However evolution asserts the con-
tinuous change and adaptability of
organisms in their environment. Evolu-
tion further asserts the "survival of the
fittest" of the original organism or the
adapted organism by natural selection.
God's creation evolves! Stepwise God
created the earth (among other things)
and the organisms upon it.
God's organisms adapt to changes in
the environment. The evolved organisms
(from the previous sentence) are still
God's creation. Qur wise God fitted his
organisms for survival. Who questions
God?
ACU's academic approach to the
theory of evolution is appropriate. The
theory of evolution cannot be scientifical-
ly proved and receives no serious con-
sideration at ACU
In contrast evolution fills God's crea-
tion and is observed in biological studies.
Evolution deserves1 our attention as an
observable property of God's creation.
ACU's ' extensive biblical studies re-
quirement surely allows the student lo-
learn the correct Go4-nterediicccnInt of
creation. The theory of creation cannot
be scientifically proved and therefore is
not included in the study of science. But
ACU instructors invariably advocate
belief in the Genesis account of creation
pledge a small club because you know
you're not wearing the colors of one of
the more "prestigious" clubs.
The Zetas prided themselvet on not
relying ori a "prestigious" emphasis.
"We're a non-club club" she said."
Nevertheless the Zetas approved the
new social club amendments they were
opposed to spring pledging because they
wanted to get to know their new
members better.
Optimist
i' T
Who makes decisions?
A campus newspaper that carries only college news and allows no student
opinion is simply no good and cannot cam the respect of students. A cam-
pus newspaper that overloads with opinion and off-campus topics and fails
to inform the students of campus events is also no good. There must be a
blending of the two extremes especially at Abilene Christian College.
The Optimist statement of policies says: "Its goals are to accurately
report and reflect student life at the college inform and entertain its
readers and offer a workshop for students pursuing courses in journalism.'
President Stevens says he expects and wants a running exchange of ideas
with students. He says a good motto is: "Everything discussable. " He says
the letters to the editor column and editorial page should be open to student
opinions but that all matter should be free from obscene profane or
libelous comments.
We have tried to make the 1969'70 Optimist a step in that direction.
ACC is stepping ahead to a new era. As students take the initiative to
make requests and suggestions changes will be made for a more relevant
up-toate college. The Optimist must keep pace.
During the 16 years since the preceeding editorial was written the Optimist
has kept pace with the university.
We've changed. The issues have changed. The campus has changed. Even
th: university's name has changed.
But because students haven't really changed we believe this student
newspaper's goals and purposes should remain constant.
Recently the Optimist's principles have been challenged. We have received
criticism from those who think we have been manipulated by the administra-
tion during the evolution controversy.
In reference to the Dec. 13 editorial "Evolution" the suggestion is clean
"The unsigned Optimist editorial was as one might expect in a newspaper
regulated and funded by the ACU
both ACU and the two professors involved. This we might add does not sur-
prise us." Dr. Bert Thompson Is Genesis Myth?
We are not under the iron grip of an administration that manages the news
and opinion that appears in the Optimist. Ironically these "reguktory" ad-
ministrators are probably reading this editorial for the first time at the same
time you are.
The Optimist staff was hired to run a student newspaper as efficiently and
professionally as possible. ACU officials realize that we are responsible
enough to be free from censorship.
So when we sided with the university in the evolution controversy we did
so because we were carrying out the same Optimist principles set forth years
ago.
We have been accurate in our reporting and fair in our coverage of the con-
troversy. We have maintained an open forum in letters to the editor. We have
made all editorial decisions without dictation from the administration.
ACU is still moving ahead. And the Optimist will continue to keep pace.
in and out of the classroom.
Mark Scott's approach seems un-
christian. He is not patient and he is not
kind. Scott's letter refusing the condi-
tions of enrollment seems arrogant and
surely shows that he does not bear all
things and endure all things.
Perhaps he is a noisy gong or a clang-
ing 'cymbal. Because of all that has
transpired we must pray for Mark for
ourselves and for unity in God's will and
purpose.
Keith Stone
Senior
Accounting major '
Shawnee Okla.
Junlorsays evolution
controversy Is 'non-Issue'
To the editor:
Creation v. Evolution the battle
continues.
One faction brings accusation that
ACU has taught evolution as fact.
Another side contends that this is untrue
and anyone who says it is true is an
enemy of the university.
So here we are arguing over the classic
western idea of a static once and for all
creation.
To the Hebrews the very people God
spoke to creation is an ongoing process.
The Lord invites us to be creationists by
joining Him to change the social in-
justice Iostness and hatred of this world
liito the love and peace of His kingdom.
Let's really please God as we resolve
this non-issue. Let's end the name-calling
and hatred between the two groups and
create His will on earth.
Maybe we were put here not to fight to
defend our God (He's big enough to take
7
But now the Zetas don't have anytl
to worry about except paying their
before they disband.
If the newlv revised club svstem
not make more changes chances are
other smaller groups could fall into
gnps ot tiie elitist "Uig Three."
Perhaps the administration sh
adont a draft svstem like the Nati
Football League has. The smaller cl
get the lirst pick and more players.
administration totally biased in favor of
3ti&&'
care of himself)' but rather to love!
serve even people who sec things
fcrently from ourselves.
Kevin Harris
Junior
Human communication major
Smyrna Tenn.
4 students say read
new book for objectivil
To the editor:
For a short time publicly the
troversy concerning evolution has
raging on our campus and throughoi
brotherhood.
The students on campus for the
part have been exposed to only onej
of the issue.
In order to make proper judgmen
mc mancr cviucncc irom coin sm
the issue must be evaluated. We as I
cerned students have had the oppor
ty to look at the new book Is Ga
Myth? by Dr. Bert Ihompson.
With the interest of objectivit
mind we encourage all concea
students to obtain a copy of Thompji
new book.
This 200-page volume is availablej
of charge to those who personally reel
a copy either from Apologetics Press ;
230 Landmark Drive Montgomery
36117) or the authors of this articleii
Brian Finnell
Senior
Bible major
La Junta Colo.
Joe Placencia
Junior
Bible major
Beaumont Calif.
Richard K.OlU
Ju
English i
LeonD.i
Bible i
Lakewood
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 34, Ed. 1, Friday, January 24, 1986, newspaper, January 24, 1986; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth92032/m1/2/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.