Speakers at HLS Focus on Values

While many Harvard students spend this past Valentine's Day enjoying roses, Harvard Law School (HLS) students sponsored a conference that illuminated some of the thorns of society.

In the Austin Hall's Ames Courtroom, a range of conservative speakers sparked a vigorous discussion about the moral and family values lacking in society and the Harvard community.

The day-long Family 2000 Conference was sponsored by the HLS Society for Law, Life and Religion (SLLR), the same group that sponsored the controversial National Coming Out of Homosexuality Day in October.

Three speakers addressed the forum including Alan L. Keyes '72, a 1996 Republican Presidential Candidate, Bruce Green, chief counsel of the American Family Association and Christian Coalition President Don Hodel.

Keyes started off the conference with a speech that focused on the moral necessity of the American family tradition and its potential threats.

Keyes identified threats ranging from President Clinton's "assault on the American consciousness" to "radical homosexual activists" to Harvard's role as the "future kingdom of darkness."

"We're in the midst of a great crisis that, if it goes the wrong way, we'll be able to do nothing," Keyes said regarding what he called the perilousness of the American family.

The conservative radio talk-show host also identified the importance of the family in its ability to pass on trust and confidence.

"The family becomes a great transistor of moral values," Keyes said. "Kids from trustful families carry confidence into the world."

If the family is destroyed, Keyes said that "we are destroy- ing all real intimacy and trust."

The former presidential candidate emphasizedthat if these issues threatening the Americanfamily are not altered, a dark future awaitsAmerica.

"The 21st century might prove to be a worsehell than the 20th century with all its wars andthe Holocaust," Keyes said.

"We are becoming a nation of users where peoplemerely use people for pleasure. We are choosingbetween civilization and barbary," he said.

Keyes' view was substantiated by later commentsfrom Hodel who emphasized the past transgressionsof morality and its consequences from Nietzche'sgodless doctrine to the killings of Mao andStalin.

"There will be nothing to come down this roadif the final moral underpinnings of society aretorn out," Hodel said, making earlier reference tothe millions of aborted fetuses.

Yet Keyes' wrath upon societal evils extendedbeyond abortion, homosexuality and an attack onfamily values. He expressed doubt about whether hewould feel comfortable sending his children toHarvard.

"I am not entirely sure that my children'sdecency would survive [at Harvard]. There's acertain level of shame from upbringing that'sinstilled in children; Harvard now seems to beintent on destroying that shame," he said.

Brian J. Burt, the president of SLLR, echoedhis concern for Harvard's environment. "Thefounders of Harvard would be shocked at whatHarvard stands for today. There has been acomplete abdication of spiritual and moralaction," Burt said.

Burt attempted to convey the importance thatHarvard is an institution that wields power beyondthe borders of Cambridge. "Harvard is not just aninstitution, but a cultural leader. Actionsinfluence the general culture because they havethe Harvard stamp of approval," Burt said.

He especially emphasized Memorial Church'sdecision this summer to recognize same-sexcommitment ceremonies as an glaring example ofHarvard's need for a "moral and spiritualrenewal."

"Even though Harvard is a hostile environment,I hope that other students will carry on [withSLLR]," Burt said.

"We have begun to identify whole huge issueswhich Harvard either ignores or looks at itthrough a liberal perspective. We need to reclaimthe arena by using common sense.

The former presidential candidate emphasizedthat if these issues threatening the Americanfamily are not altered, a dark future awaitsAmerica.

"The 21st century might prove to be a worsehell than the 20th century with all its wars andthe Holocaust," Keyes said.

"We are becoming a nation of users where peoplemerely use people for pleasure. We are choosingbetween civilization and barbary," he said.

Keyes' view was substantiated by later commentsfrom Hodel who emphasized the past transgressionsof morality and its consequences from Nietzche'sgodless doctrine to the killings of Mao andStalin.

"There will be nothing to come down this roadif the final moral underpinnings of society aretorn out," Hodel said, making earlier reference tothe millions of aborted fetuses.

Yet Keyes' wrath upon societal evils extendedbeyond abortion, homosexuality and an attack onfamily values. He expressed doubt about whether hewould feel comfortable sending his children toHarvard.

"I am not entirely sure that my children'sdecency would survive [at Harvard]. There's acertain level of shame from upbringing that'sinstilled in children; Harvard now seems to beintent on destroying that shame," he said.

Brian J. Burt, the president of SLLR, echoedhis concern for Harvard's environment. "Thefounders of Harvard would be shocked at whatHarvard stands for today. There has been acomplete abdication of spiritual and moralaction," Burt said.

Burt attempted to convey the importance thatHarvard is an institution that wields power beyondthe borders of Cambridge. "Harvard is not just aninstitution, but a cultural leader. Actionsinfluence the general culture because they havethe Harvard stamp of approval," Burt said.

He especially emphasized Memorial Church'sdecision this summer to recognize same-sexcommitment ceremonies as an glaring example ofHarvard's need for a "moral and spiritualrenewal."

"Even though Harvard is a hostile environment,I hope that other students will carry on [withSLLR]," Burt said.

"We have begun to identify whole huge issueswhich Harvard either ignores or looks at itthrough a liberal perspective. We need to reclaimthe arena by using common sense.