Poppy Garofalo
Staff Writer
At Pepperdine University, the majority of the student body identifies with the views of the Republican Party. Standing apart is Dr. Douglas Swartzendruber.
Ben Young / Photo Editor
A professor of biology at Pepperdine, Swartzendruber said he believes a more democratic form of government is necessary for the future of America, especially regarding the United States’ position in Iraq. Outspoken on campus, he openly discusses his political position and is confident in his beliefs.
While in college, Swartzendruber earned a degree in pathology. He launched his scientific career performing research in cancer cell biology. Swartzendruber went on to become a professor at the University of Colorado where he became part of a research group, making ground-breaking discoveries in breast cancer. He and his colleagues developed a computer simulation of how breast cancer grows that would eventually be used to make clinical predictions and for therapy.
After 20 years of teaching, Swartzendruber retired from the University of Colorado and moved to Malibu where he became involved with Pepperdine University. As well as being a professor on campus, Swartzendruber is also the chair of the Natural Science Division and the Director of Laboratories.
Swartzendruber said he aligns himself more with the opinions of Kerry than with those of Bush.
The professor said he did not think there was one single motivation for the invasion of Iraq. However, he did note that one of the clear issues was the preservation of Israel. “The U.S. has a commitment to ensure that Israel is maintained,” Swartzendruber said. “If there is the existence of any threat then the U.S. will consider it.”
In Swartzendruber’s mind, weapons of mass destruction were never a threat to the United States, yet they did put the safety of Israel in jeopardy.
“They presented a regional threat but Iraq had no intentions against the U.S,” Swartzendruber said.
However, Swartzendruber also cited the findings of the CIA’s Duelfer report. According to that research, Saddam Hussein did not have any weapons of mass destruction and had not produced any since 1991, which he said discredited Bush’s motivation for declaring war.
Swartzendruber said he believes the president was greatly influenced by his top advisors in this decision.
However, now that U.S. troops are in Iraq, Swartzendruber does not support withdrawing them.
“We need to establish a democracy or elections,” he said. “While some Christians would say the only answer is to leave, that is a small perspective.”
He supports Kerry’s proposition of an international coalition.
“Kerry represents a change of direction,” Swartzendruber said. “I do not think that he is anti-war.”
The professor said he sees the need for a stronger international unification in the Middle East. He said he believes the root of the problem lies in Israel, Palestine and Syria. Therefore, these areas must be the center of focus.
According to Swartzendruber, Bush had the chance to proceed in Iraq on a more international level. If he had delayed his decision regarding Iraq, then the president would have been able to secure allies abroad, providing the United States with outside support and aid. However, the president let immediacy drive his decision to invade.
“Bush’s logic was that the weapons of mass destruction provided an imminent threat,” said Swartzendruber. “He did have discussions at the United Nations level, but he ignored many people who wanted to slow down.”
In all of his political views, Swartzendruber, a Mennonite, refers back to his solid foundation in Christianity. The professor does not classify his beliefs within any category, because he looks at each issue individually and judges it separately.
The classic Mennonite attitude toward politics has been one of separation with many congregation members refusing to vote. However, Sojourners, a Christian magazine Web site, is beginning to change this approach by suggesting biblical guidance without the mention of parties or candidates.
This organization focuses on seven critical issues that Christians should consider when evaluating candidates and their platforms. Religious beliefs are put into a political context and biblical passages are provided as references. Questions are formed around these basic beliefs, addressing current concerns and assessing political motives.
Swartzendruber supports this way of thinking. With the aid of donations, he has worked with the Graphic to run full-page ads of the petition being circulated by Sojourners. The purpose is to educate students on a new way of approaching politics and to encourage their future involvement.
Kendra Killpatrick, an assistant professor of mathematics at Pepperdine, has a similar belief system and is in favor of Swartzendruber’s work.
“The way people vote doesn’t make them Christian or not Christian,” Killpatrick said. “Christianity does not require affiliation with a certain political party.”
11-04-2004
