Among my favorite scriptures are those from Ecclesiastes so I will preface today's posting by quoting from the beautiful verses of the third chapter. "To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven ... A time to weep, and a time to laugh ..." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4)
Yesterday I wrote about laughter and how a sense of humor smooths out life's rough spots. Today, per the above scripture, I am switching gears and tones.
In typical fashion, the media has made much of Brigham Young University's suspension of a star basketball player for an honor code violation. Some commentators asked "Why?" Why suspend a player, especially a star player, for something as seemingly insignificant as a moral issue? Why suspend him before important games and jeopardize the team's winning streak? Why suspend him at all?
My answer is, "Because it was the right thing to do."
Upon admittance to BYU, students are required to sign an honor code. Signing it signifies obedience to that code. If the University failed to uphold it, it would deny the very tenets upon which it was founded and denigrate the man whose name the university bears.
In today's climate of elastic morals and flexible honesty, Brigham Young University demonstrated that integrity still exists, that adherance to a moral compass is still possible, that expediency that does not always triumph over doing what is right. For me, that is both refreshing and reassuring.
So, for today, I am grateful for individuals and institutions who act with integrity.
I agree completely. As you pointed out, the issue is integrity, and that's far more important than winning a basketball game.
ReplyDeleteThose who ask "why" either don't understand the honor code agreement, or would probably not do well trying to live it. Character is more important than championships.
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