Spring 2005 Letter Home: A Newsletter for Cal Parents

Student Life

Student Points of View

Berkeley freshmen on whether same-sex marriage should be legalized

Students were interviewed in February 2004.

Bonnie Azab Powell photos

“I don’t have strong feelings either way. It
doesn’t matter. I’d vote to legalize it,
I guess. Other people’s personal relationships are not my business.”—Dennis Cheng, first-year undeclared, from Hacienda Heights, Calif.

Robert Lawson, first-year cognitive science/film studies

“I think it should be legalized because I don’t think there’s any basis for differentiating between genders with regard to civil marriage. I’m very liberal, and I’m not religious — so I think as far as the law is concerned, religion shouldn’t play any part.”—Robert Lawson, first-year cognitive science/film studies major, from Silver Spring, Md.

“I’m against it because I am religious, and it’s part of my beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman. At the same time, it’s their free choice, I can’t stop them, but it’s my belief that the institution of marriage should not be changed to allow gay marriage.”—Daniel Torres, first-year physics major, from Madeira, Calif.

Berkeley freshmen on the role religion plays in their lives

Students were interviewed in Nov. 2004

Jennifer Tillett, first-year applied math

“Christianity is pretty important to me. I grew up in a Christian household, and it’s shaped my morals, how I think about things. I consider it a guide for how to live my life, not a strict doctrine that I have to follow.”—Jennifer Tillett, first-year applied math major, from Los Angeles, Calif.

“Religion has never played a role in my life. I didn’t grow up in a religious household, and I have never felt the need for it.”—Lucy Allen, first-year undeclared, Arcata, Calif.

“I’m not religious, but I still believe in the ideas and philosophy of Buddhism. I want to have spiritual peace of mind. Buddhism helps me remember to take one thing at a time and find calmness.”—Loan Pham, first-year undeclared, Sacramento, Calif.

Comments? E-mail calparents@berkeley.edu.