Prof. Avila

[Cyclonesrule91]

I thought it was a great read and pretty much agree with all he wrote. And having an "angry athiest" teach religion? Who was dumb enough to put that in place?

[isufbcurt]

I still maintain that if a student athlete has problems and needs to have a discussion with a clergy member there are plenty of religious places they can go in the Ames Community without having a hired person on the football staff.

Plus while Pastor Staff was only a volunteer he was a very good asset to the team.

I have no problem with people who are religious (I am Catholic), but I can't stand it when people try to push their religious beliefs onto others who believe different.

[trevn]

Does anyone actually still have respect for Deace? He is a more arrogant and less intelligent version of Rush.

Speaking of ad hominem attacks...

[CyGal]

Other religions, like Islam, bastardize him.

I'm not actually going to get into another religious debate here, but this guy needs to do a little research. Islam does not bastardize ******. In fact, Mohommed and a lot of Arabs were in awe of the fact that both Jews and Christians had these prophets coming down to talk to their people. Mohommed, on the founding of Islam, wanted to follow a lot of what was going on in the jewish and Christian religions. He wanted a better life for his people, and his religion was a way to accomplish that goal. The current fundamentalist Islamic people may 'bastardize' ******, but as a whole the religion does not. The religion was meant to be peaceful.

[Todd]

'Team Advisor' or some other non-partisan title could have avoided this whole issue. If a player needs 'life skills' advice, this position could deliver that. If he needs spiritual advice, go to your local Religious Organization.

For the record, I took a Religious Studies course in the early 80's. It was a study of various religions, Christianity included, and was presented in a very unbiased way. It was very informative and one the best courses I took while at ISU. I never had a clue as to what Religion the instructor was.

The point here is, Courses on Religion and Courses on Christianity are 2 different things. I'm sure this professor is more than qualified to teach the course I took. When people hear the word Religion, they immediately think of their own belief system and seldom consider someone else's.

I think this Professor chould choose his battles more carefully, however.

[Klubber]

I agree completely. As a Greenlee grad from ISU, I also have to say I always find Deace's writing skills to be marginal at best.

I wish he would take his moon face back to Ann Arbor and stop associating himself with ISU. He's not a Cyclone and never will be.

[ISUonthemove]

Its Avalos btw, not Avila. That said, that was one of the worst things I've ever read. It was nothing but strawmen and ad-hominem attacks. Does anyone actually still have respect for Deace? He is a more arrogant and less intelligent version of Rush.

Mega didos Deace

[cybsball20]

I thought it was a great read and pretty much agree with all he wrote. And having an "angry athiest" teach religion? Who was dumb enough to put that in place?

How could anyone other than an atheist objectively teach a religion class? It is a religion class, not a Christianity class...

[wartknight]

Is that possible?


How is it that talk radio - political talk radio especially - is at such extreme ends of the political spectrum? A couple weeks ago, I was heading across the state and listen to Michael Savage for a little while (had to, it was like a train-wreak). That guy needs to be committed. Sean Hannity? Al Franken when he was still on? All the guys are about as far left or right as you can get.

And tweeners out there?

Extreme gets ratings. Middle of the road does not.

[EggMcClone]

Does Deace see the irony of complaining that Avalos is "proselytizing to college students" while supporting the hiring of a chaplain by a man he refers to as a "father figure" and "mentor" to young men? Apparently proselytizing is ok as long as it's something that he agrees with. He takes shots at atheists, muslims, and other religions which is exactly why having a chaplain is a divisive thing.

I believe that ISU should have an environment that is open and accepting of all religious beliefs or lack thereof. People like Deace will attack others using the argument that their Christian beliefs are being assaulted while at the same time bashing everyone else's moral guide. That's great that Deace's "owner's manual" is the Bible but other people shouldn't have to use it as well if they don't want to.

[brianhos]

Good article... only 1 single thing I disagree with:

I know what you’re thinking, cause it’s the same thing I was thinking when I first heard about this. You’re thinking, "Dude, why would an angry atheist (and is there any other kind) want to be teaching in the religious studies department?

Yes, there are other kinds of athiests. I am one, and I have no issues with this chaplain thing. I actually think it is a good idea... If these kids need some help, I am in favor of whoever it takes to help them.

[crooksie_26]

I actually took a course with Dr. Avalos, I truly resepect this man, he is probably ISU's best teacher, as he has multiple awards to show for it. Do some research on him and you will see, he also has a rare breathing desorder, but let me tell you that the class i took w/ him was my favorite class that i took @ ISU. Deace is wrong to call him out, i'm not agreeing w/ Avalous but i respect his opinion a whole hell of a lot more the deace.

[crooksie_26]

And to answer Deace's question as to why we have a atheist teaching religion i think is a simple answer. From taking the class w/ Dr. Avalos he didn't try to push atheist's beliefs on us, he just let us make up our own minds when analyzing the bible, i think having someone who is atheist teach religion is great, because if you have someone teaching religion how is a devout catholic or buddhist for example they would impose their beliefs upon you as a student whereas a atheist doesn't have those beliefs so it is up to you to form your own beliefs.

[benjay]

/takes out his dead horse
/beats it awhile
/puts it away

[joepublic]

I don't see how an opinion with good grammar and structure is a horrible read. Now you many not agree with him or his opinion... but come on... a horrible read?! That seems narrow minded doesn't it?

It behooves you to read from minds that differ from your own. You might not agree with the what you read, but it will sharpen your mind along with your argument.

Deace is more about pop culture than anything else. You state that he should stick with sports ... well in my opinion he has more to offer than his outtake on sports (aside from his Christian beliefs). No pun intended, but Deace is well rounded in many things from his generation and knowledgeable in each.

While I believe you have fiery typing fingers and post before you process, I would enjoy reading your argument against Deace and this article.

- keep.

Hi Keep,
Deace is pompous when wearing his warrior-for-Jesus armour.
Deace is arrogant when gets in his "read the book and you will know the truth like I do," mode.
Deace is presumptious when he baits President Geoffrey the way he does in this editorial.
It's a horrible article, unless you are a march-in-lockstep Christian. Then you will find it a fine piece of writing. It isn't.
joe