LETTER: Temptation of sex flourishes at NOD

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by Alex Hernandez

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A healthy supply of alcohol, a festive atmosphere, an absence of supervision, a young lady ready to have sex -- "Night of Decadence."

Members of the freshman class for the first time experienced NOD that evening, so heavily marked by concupiscence.

We may ask, "Why shouldn't I have sex with her?"

More importantly, I submit that the true underlying question should be: "Why should I have sex with her?"

We are faced daily with similar questions, yet our answers to them are scant. Sex or not?

Someone once said, "One of the curses of our time is the weakness and relativity of most men's sense of right and wrong, their reluctance to pass moral judgement, their willingness to tolerate anything."

Specially evident in the issues of teenage sex, our innate physical weakness leads us to an inability to make virtuous decisions.

Yes, no, maybe? What will be our judgment, our answer, to our inebriated female companion?

Our moral code, or lack of it,will make the decision.

If we are strong enough to adhere to what we know is right or wrong, strong enough to realize the porous moral decision that what would result in yielding, we will not submit to the temptation.

But amidst stimuli-impaired reasoning, we will tolerate anything. A tipsy girl, a stranger, a couch of promiscuity, a scarcity of condoms.

Our answer, weak as it may seem, to ourselves and others, will be yes.

Alex Hernandez

WRC '99

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the November 10, 1995 issue.

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