BYU punishment doesn’t fit crime

Dear Editor:

I like Donny and Marie as much as the next guy.

And, as far as Mormons go, you’ve got to admire any way of life you can have an extra wife or two.

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Of course the church says they’re against multiple wives, “This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy … If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated.”

I’ll admit it. I’m a bit confused.

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The one thing I’m not confused about is that Utah has a large Mormon population.

Which brings me to Brigham Young University (BYU), which prides itself on being founded in Utah, and following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I am not suggesting their recent decision involving basketball player, Brandon Davies, to turn in his uniform for breaking one of the school’s Honor Code rules was anti-Christ. I think their motivation is based on a way of life that I just don’t understand.

Specifically, Brandon Davies, 19, was thrown off the basketball team for having consensual premarital sex with a girl. I can’t imagine what they would have done if he was gay?

According to their website, “BYU exists to provide a university education in an atmosphere consistent with the principles of the Church of Jesus Christ. This environment is preserved through adherence to a code of conduct called the Honor Code that reflects those ideals.”

Brandon definitely broke the honor code, which states, “Live a chaste and virtuous life.” There is no question he screwed up (excuse my choice of words), but throwing him off the team?

I just don’t think the punishment fit the crime, especially when you examine the entire Honor Code. Here’s another rule, “Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse.”

That’s quite an honor code that equates tea and coffee with substance abuse.

Which takes me full circle back to the Mormons and their multiple wives. If BYU wants to live by the strict words in their code, they have to take Mormon tradition of multiple wives to task.

Finally, this thought: When a code of conduct has no human flexibility, one might argue, it lacks humanity, and has no “real” honor.

Andrew Kole

Aspen