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Show The Salt Lake Tribune Sunday Paul Rolly Column Mischaracterized Lawsuit And Stereotyped Mormons BY JAMES W. McCONKIE Iwas surprised to find an article about me and the Axson-Flynn case in last Sunday’s Tribune. In the past, when you have written about me or somecase that I was pursuing, you would have called and given -me an opportunity to explain my point of view prior to publication. I do not dispute your right to disagree with me. Nor do I suggest that you don’t have the right to speak out. But I do assert that, had you checked with me first, your article may not have made several factual errors concerning the issues involved in the Axson-Flynn case. Allow me to respond to just a couple ofyour points. Your assertion that the AxsonFiynn lawsuit is an opportunity to shackle free speech in academia is not correct. This lawsuit has nothing atall to do with academicfreedom. Ms. Christina Axson-Flynn has said repeatedly that she is not attempting to limit what professors say or teach. Neither is it a case aboutcontrolling the curriculum of any program. Axson-Flynn is simply asking thata state institution (e.g., the University ofUtah) has the responsibility to reasonably accommodate her sincerely held religious belief, namely that she not be pressured or humiliated parents were Ph.D.- credentialed professors (from Columbia University in New York). Consequently, I grew up or went to schoolin New York, then Minnesota and throughout my high school years in London.Myfamily also lived in Paris for a period while my father was on a Fulbright Scholarship. Myprofessional career began in Washington, D.C., where I lived for five years. In noneof those situations did I have the association of any Mormon“like-minded peers.” I certainly can assure you I See COLUMN,Page AA-8 OPINION Sunday, February 18, 2001 Utah Legislature Needs as Priority Changes to the Indoor Clean Air Act BY ROCKY ANDERSON concluded, health effects.” Researchlike this has resulted in our society deciding that those who choose to use tobacco products must do so with a clear realization of the dangers ‘nvolved, and those whodo not chouse to use these products must be protected from otherPeople’s dangerous ac- “There is no evidence for a safe exposure level [to secondhand smoke].” This means that even infrequent and seemingly innocuous exposures can have deadly consequences. According to the WHOreport, “environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been foundto be carcinogenic in humans andto produce asubstantial amountofmorbidity and mortality from other serious with the effects ofalcohol. While we do not prohibit alcohol consumption, we will not tolerate the harms to society created by drunken drivers. When the results of an individual’s actions endanger other people, action is needed. House Bill 288, proposing important amendments to the Utah Secondhand tobacco smoke unquestionably endangers all whoare exposed to it. A May 29, 2000, report compiled by a panel of experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) The provisions of this bill would ensure that any existing smoking areas at Utah airports would have appropriate ventilation to prevent any smoke from impacting nonsmokers. Perhaps more important, the bill would also guarantee that no new smoking lounges would be constructed in our airports in the future. These provisions will aid our attempts to make Salt LakeInternational Airport a clean, welcoming andsafe place for our residents andvisitors. Airports around the country that have significantly limited indoor smoking have seen dramatic improvements to their atmosphere and even monetary savings. Several such airports — inclu Los Angeles, O'Hare, Orlando, andPortland —have seen savings in cleaning and replacement costs for carpet and furniture, while improving the safety, cleanliness ports, but we will also send an important message about how much we value the health of Utah’s citizens. Ross C. “Rocky” Anderson is mayorofSalt Lake City. into using the nameofdeity disre- spectfully or to use whatshe refers to as the “F word” in an in exercise. Furthermore, no professor or instructor can or oughtto force her out ofthe program because of that refusal. It makes absolutely nodifference what materials other students or professors wishto act inor speak about in class or as part of classroom assignments. That is their business.Butit is her constitutionally protected right to live herlife in a mannerthat she believes is consistent with her religious beliefs without state interference. Therefore, the issues in this suit are as follows:It is not unreasonable to require the university to be tolerant of and accommodating to her religious convictions by allowing herto leave two words out ofan in-class sketch,It is not unreasonable to expect that Ms. Axson Flynn can learn acting without using two words she finds objectionable. It is not unreasonable to believe that she can become an actress in the “real” world and not have to act in what she may personally believe to be a vulgar presentation as part of her preparation. It is not unreasonable that Ms. Axson-Flynn should expect to be free of harassment and humiliation in the classroom because of her religious convictions and a simple request to accommodate them.In pointoffact, it is illegal to infringe on anyorall of those expectations at a public institution. In the article, you say that my client wants the islature to “ensure that students and faculty membersdo notsayor do things to offend Mormons.” Nothing could be further from the truth. While I would encourage all people to speak respectfully of others’ heartfelt religious beliefs, I am not suggesting that people cannot openly (or evenly rudely) disagree with Mormons or,for that matter, Baptists, atheists, agnostics, Jews or Muslims.I am particularly not advocating that incivility is the stuffofa lawsuit. I must repeat myself here:If a climate of hostility toward any religion at a public institution results in an individual not being admitted to a program, not being able to remain in a program,or not being hired solely on the basis of religious preference, then a lack of civility crosses the line and becomes discrimination. Discrimination is not only wrong; it is also illegal. Finally, I am disturbed by and reject your sweeping stereotype of Mormons. You describe them as “sheltered,” baving grown upwith “like-minded peers,” “never encounter{ing] questions contrary to their learned belief system until they reach the university,” and “one-dimensional.” While that maybe true of some Mormons,it is an unfair characterization of all Mormons, It is just as, unfair as calling Jews penurious and only interested in money or African Americans ignorant and lazy. You may have the right to say it and The Tribune has thelack ofjudgment to print it, but I strongly disagree with your view of all young Mormon students entering the University ofUtah.The truth ofthe matter is that on come in all sizes, shapes and nds, Most are open-minded and have encountered different beliefs and cultures. Many speak foreign languages fluently and are tolerant, respectful and appreciative of diverse and cultures, In my own case, both my \ & Seven generations have been bornat St. Mark’s Hospital. Not only is St. Mark’s Utah’sfirst hospital, but with the recent opening of the Women’s Pavilion, it is also the area’s newest women’s hospital. With that mix oftradition and new technology, it’s no wonder St. Mark’s Hospital receives 4-star ratings in Obstetrics from Healthgrades.com* Besure to choose a healthcare provider that will deliveryour baby at the Women’s Pavilion at St. Mark’s Hospital. St. Mark’s Hospital accepts most health insuranceplans including: Altius Health Plans, CIGNA, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, CCN, and PEHP. “Healthgrades.comis an independent national rating firm. Their goal is to provide information to consumers to help them select the best quality hospitals, physicians and health plans. Women’s Pavilion at St. Mark’s Hospital MOUNTAINSTAR HEALTHCARE x 1200 East 3900 South * Salt Lake City 801.268.7111 www.stmarkshospital.com Otheraffiliates of MountainStar Healthcare include: Brigham City Community Hospital * Ogden Regional Medical Center Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful * Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem * Mountain View Hospital in Payson } |