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Show OPINIONS A7 Atheism and Why do we question why we're here, when we could just as easliy not be? We're here, and that's all that matters. Cre Some say the world was created by God's hand, I see things a little differently By Cameron Simek Opinions Editor @Skabomb At the beginning of this semester, I wrote a piece about being an athiest and how that effected my morality. Ever since the article ran I have been getting questions from the people around me- people I work with who read it, our editor-in-chief, and most of all, my parents. As it turns out, they didn't know I was an athiest. That caused no small amount of distress to me, but it did to my parents who are very religious people. They wondered where they went wrong, and why I couldn't see God's hand in everything. My brother had cancer and he is still alive. Isn't that a miracle? It is, yes. It's a miracle that we were near the best doctors in the region, and it's a miracle that we had good enough health insurance so my brother could receive the treatments and surgery required to help him. All accomplished by man and science. The discussion that I got into that lasted the longest was when I was told that I had to see God's hand in everything around me. The beauty of the world we live in had to have been created just for us. I have never been so glad to disagree with that person. The thought of a world created just for us is the most depressing thought I have ever had. To others, though, my view of the world may seem equally depressing. The way I see everything isn't something mind shattering. It's focused on science and what we know about how the universe, and subsequently, how the Earth was created. I believe that we are here simply because of random happenstance. That's it, as simple as an explanation needs to be. Allow me, however, to break it down. From what scientists can observe about the universe it's old- very old. This little planet we live on is old as well. 4.54 billion years old according to a little research. But here's the magical thing. The elements that formed the earth were all part of something else. Stars, most likely, as they turn Hydrogen into more complex elements. Without these solar powerhouses, only Hydrogen would probably exist. So, we live on an old planet made of star stuff. What's so special about that? Why is it better to think that a creator's hand guided life on this planet a few thousand years ago? Because we shouldn't be here. According to my limited understanding of astrophysics and statistics, we are an anomoly. We live on a planet at just the right time, that just so happens to be in the right place in our solar system, that has just enough water to support life, and that happens to have developed an atmosphere that protects us from radiation. The planet went through many radical changes as it slowly became what it is today. A horrifying molten wasteland, a snowball drifting through the cosmos, and slowly it became the wonderful thing we live on today. Much like the Earth itself evolved to sustain life, life evolved on earth to populate it. From single celled organisms we grew into the advanced creatures we are now. Other creatures evolved to by slipping into niches to survive, the weak being removed, the strong passing on important genes over millions of years. When you think about how we came to be, the process that lasted billions of years, it should cause you to pause, and realize that life is special and amazing. That everything you see around you is an accident, a lucky draw dealt by the universe. I'll leave you with this thought. If we were given this amazing gift, this bastion of life in what seems to be a barren universe, shouldn't we respect what we have? Step outside, take a deep breath and realize, we are an accident, a beautiful anomoly. Every day we continue to populate this insignificant planet is a wonder in this harsh universe. We aren't even a blip in this ever-expanding universe, but we are here. I was given some amazing advice by an Astronomy professor at Oklahoma State University that I still think of every day: Why do we question why we're here, when we could just as easliy not be? We're here, and that's all that matters. You see, we have been given an amazing gift. Not from on high, but by accident. Isn't that a much more beautiful thought? PHOTO COURTESY OF STOCKXCHNG The stereotypes of riding public transportation so PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURA FOX Public transportation —If you don't get on board you'll get left behind. Even if you don't want to, your wallet does. Public transportation has a bad rap, but it's not all bad By Faith Heaton Jolley Assitant Opinions Editor faithmjm5@gmail.com I recently totaled my car in an accident while driving to Salt Lake City for work. My insurance covered the other vehicle, but unfortunately didn't pay to replace my own car. Seeing as how I unfortunately am not made of money, my only other option for continuing to get to work and school was the ominous choice of taking the bus. Upon entering the world of public transportation, I discovered two things. There is a definite stereotype about people who ride the bus, and although part of it is true, most of it is false. I had my own preconceived notions about riding the bus. I felt like the only people who would tolerate the long detours and added time of taking public transportation were a) poor people who couldn't afford a vehicle or gas, b) crazy homeless people who used the bus fare to stay warm for awhile, or c) environmentally friendly tree-hugger types who carpool to save the ozone from all the exhaust spewing from cars on the freeway. While I have met my fair share of mentally ill, socially awkward individuals on my bus commutes from Provo to Salt Lake City, and while I have encountered a few poor starving college students like myself who can't afford more than a one-way bus pass, I have also realized that for the most part, my judgments were completely inaccurate. Public transportation is a way of life for millions of normal working people across the world and it is viewed as completely functional and acceptable. If you moved to New York City, you would almost be Public transportation is a way of life for millions of normal, working people across the world and it is viewed as completely functional and acceptable. a fool to use a car on the jampacked streets rather than use its subway system. The majority of Europeans don't even own cars and rely heavily on their trains and subways to get them around. With the new TRAX system being installed in December, it will actually be faster to commute from Provo to Salt Lake City using public transportation than driving a car on the freeway, not to mention much cheaper. The Utah Transit Authority is making travel much more efficient and cheap in Northern Utah and more people need to start taking advantage of it. In talking to one friend about the low use of public transportation in Utah, he said, "Americans are addicted to private transportation. Public transportation must increase or we will fall behind global economics." I would say that I have definitely been converted to public transportation and I wish that there weren't such a negative stereotype associated with it in Utah. Even if the older buses do smell like feet and offer some awkward encounters, you can save a lot of money and, in the near future, a ton of time by choosing public transit. School spirit on campus Seriously, you go to UVU — look like it By Collin Lawrence Staff Writer claw1116@gmail.com At 19 or 20 you wear your heart on your sleeve. You do what you want now that you don't live at home. You are becoming the person you want to be. You just don't seem to want to be here. The state of Utah has many options to obtain a higher education. UVU seems to be just a stepping stone toward the intended location. School pride and dedication is alive and well on the Cougar and Ute campuses, but the Wolverines need some help. We live in a region dominated by the red versus blue. It's time the green became part of the conversation. That won't happen until our fellow Wolverines take pride in representing themselves on campus and in the community. School spirit is not something you learn, it's something you grow within and amongst friends. Wearing that new beanie or scarf isn't just an effort to keep warm, its a statement about who you cheer for and who you root against. Students are learning — that's is no question — but are they committing? To marriage, yes, frequently and fervently. Dedication to heritage may involve some kilt wearing. Dedication to a spouse might require a wedding ring. Dedication to an institution of higher learning should demand something. Small schools and big schools are all represented as some sort of intra-collegiate mishmash on campus. Hoodies and T-shirts sweep by with ease and go unquestioned as if they belong in this foreign sea. Days gone by would have required and explanation for sport- ing a rival's colors. UVU is growing, as my mother would say, "Like a weed." More like a desert sage. Tough and resistant to the harsh conditions, she will bloom in full splendor, heaving a delightful aroma all around her. Be proud of where you are, and even if you are looking forward to less green pastures, the present is more than worthy of your support. Wolverine Wednesday is nice opportunity to show off some Wolverine apparel, but it shouldn't just be so you can save a buck on J Dawgs. This school is worth more than that. Our university is building a name for itself, and not just in Utah Valley. The Green Man Group is a recognizable student organization that plays at Utah Jazz games and the Western Athletic Conference has included us in the company of some respected schools. In an effort to curb opposing school attire-wearing on campus, Homecoming Week provided those misfits an opportunity to trade in their random university shirt for a new UVU shirt at no cost. While we don't have a total number of exchanges, it was apparent the dedication to outfit every student exists. There was a table covered in shirts and full boxe,s too. Now no student has an excuse not to wear something in support of the home team every once in a while. There are definitely occasions for repping your team when they win the title. No need to hide your enthusiasm for the Jazz versus Jimmer game. Throwback jerseys are a style these days so feel free to keep those the trends. There's just no need to pull that SUU intramural shirt over your head in the morning. Be better than your past, even if your future isn't here, embrace it, because here is just right for most of us. PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURA FOX Regenerations may be necessary to prevent these campus crimes. |