Equality Ride’s next stop: Eastern University
From the Soulforce Website:
Eastern University has embraced academic freedom and the importance of the discussion of GLBT issues with commendable enthusiasm. Eastern administrators have worked with Soulforce Equality Ride members to come up with a day of mutually agreed upon activities that are sure to be productive and thought-provoking. Members of the Equality Ride will be housed by Eastern staff and students during their time in St. David’s. The Eastern University campus and the Soulforce Equality Riders will have an excellent learning experience during our visit.
From the Eastern University website: Readings to prepare for the SoulForce Equality Ride visit
Comment by Suzanne R. — April 24, 2006 @ 6:50 am
Equality Ride is at Eastern today. Unfortunately it is a rainy day, so that limits interaction outside, but the dining commons tables were full of students and Riders engaged in conversation. Outside visitors from Repent America began to pass out literature, but were asked to stop. Some from Student Development engaged them in dialogue. Two Riders spoke in one of my classes. Neither one is a Christian which was fine, but I think more questions might have been asked about the debate within the Christian church about the issue of homosexuality if they had been Christians.
This afternoon probably the most interesting session will be about the production of The Laramie Project here that occurred over three years ago and sparked controversy. I was proud that Eastern put it on. Riders will participate in the discussion as will alumni.
This is the last week of classes so I wonder if many students are not paying a whole lot of attention. Some students have suggested that the university began talking about the visit way too early so many students are tired of hearing about it.
Just some thoughts on a rainy day in St. Davids.
Comment by residentalien — April 24, 2006 @ 12:16 pm
The equality riders made a presentation in one of my classes and made many persuasive points on how their sexuality and Christianity aren’t mutually exclusive. However, despite many of these objections and different contexts invoked when dealing with the Bible, the message from the Bible is quite clear: homosexuality is a sin.
Many like to side step this and focus on the peace and love the Bible has to offer. It seems as though Equality Ride has guilt tripped many people into accepting the homosexual lifestyle, or else you aren’t showing the love of Christ. This is underhanded and deceitful. While we should accept the riders as people, we should not accept the lifestyle. The church should say that you are welcome to come, but we cannot recognize what you do as legitimate, much less righteousness.
God loves everyone, but He will not accept our sin. He will not accept my sin and He will not accept anyone else’s sin. God will accept you, but not what you do, and He will accept you because of Jesus, not because anything we have done. God wants us to get better as we go, and that means giving up and surrendering our sin, not modifying the Bible to accommodate it. The Bible was written to offend us. If it does not offend us, then it has lost all meaning and we might as well throw it out. We need to take the lessons to heart instead of rewriting the pages to make them say what we want.
The common misconception is that people who are against the gay lifestyle hate gay people. I do not hate gays, but I cannot accept what they do. Violence against gays is wrong, but the church cannot approve of the lifestyle out of misplaced guilt for gays. The violence is at the hands of those that make it, not the ones that simply disagree. Harboring complaints that Eastern’s policies are responsible for the suffering of gays is simply ridiculous. The responsibility of the church is to welcome everyone who is willing, but to make it clear that such lifestyles can not be supported.
Comment by eastern student — April 24, 2006 @ 3:05 pm
I wonder if the writer of the previous comment could clarify. Is the mere being a homosexual a sin? Or is it homosexual acts? Thanks.
Comment by residentalien — April 24, 2006 @ 4:07 pm
I began my day with many pre-consieved notions as to what I was going to hear from the Equality Riders as well as what I would say in return. Many people were even looking to me to gage my reactions to the situation thinking that I would give the Equality Riders, “A piece of my mind.” Ironically enough, I found myself at a table arguing with a fellow who claimed to be Christian and was protesting the Equality Rider’s presence at the University. I found his arrogance and self-righteous behavior detestable and moreover, a mockery of what Christianity is supposed to represent. His presence not only accomplished nothing, but enraged ALMOST every student at Eastern that crossed his path. Logically speaking, if a vast majority of Christian students at a Christian university are arguing with you and telling you that your views are scewed and incorrect, chances are you need to re-evaluate your actions or your approach. This man’s behavior was apauling and He himself should be looking at the plank in his own eye, before pointing out the spec in anyone elses’ eye.
All in all I had a great time with the Equality Riders. As I took time to get to know them as people and not “the enemy” I began to realize how genuine and regular they truly are. They brought up many good points and made me question certain beliefs that I held. Although my opinion on the matter as a whole has not changed, I am more comfortable around homosexuals as a result of this and I believe that it was a good decission to have them here because it helped the student body interact with homosexuals on a very personal level. Case in point, I still do not believe that you can be both Christian and homosexual, rather a Christian who struggles with homosexuality just as every christian struggles with their own inequities everyday.
Comment by Daniel O. — April 24, 2006 @ 5:55 pm
It’s interesting to read people from Eastern’s response. Someone say hi to Chris Low, one of your student chaplains, for me. He’s one of my best friends from home.
Comment by Chuck Liu — April 25, 2006 @ 6:44 pm
I am a new christian. i am gay. i want to follow christ. when i read the bible verses that everyone is talking about in my bible i don’t find the word homosexual. the only verse that even talks about men doing things togther seem to be leviticus and romans. can someone help me understand how this stuff works, i am a little sacred to talk about this stuff with my pastor.
thanks
Comment by searching — April 25, 2006 @ 9:51 pm
Dear Searching:
You won’t find the word homosexual–at least not in an accurate translation–because the word was invented nearly 2000 years after the Bible was done being written. The Bible predominantly discusses practices associated with heathen temple prostitution. I could tell you more, but I’m sure these two sentences will invoke a miriad of angry responses and I am not interested in feeding that fodder. I am interested in helping you. Go to amazon.com (or any other place to buy books) and pick-up a copy of “Homosexuality and Christian Faith” by Walter Wink. Keep the faith. You don’t have to choose between being true to yourself and being true to God.
Comment by Wheaton Alumna '89 — April 25, 2006 @ 10:38 pm
Being true to yourself, is being true to God. In Christianity we crusify ourselves with Christ on daily basis by putting our earthly deisres and self-interests to rest. Although I remain neutral on the situation at hand, I am open to comments and critisizms in the hope of enlightenment on the subject.
In His Grip,
Daniel O.
Comment by Daniel O. — April 26, 2006 @ 4:17 pm
Dear Searching,
I can see why you are scared to tell your minister! What kind of church do you attend?
A short version of the Walter Wink book can be found at:
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-walter-wink
The following book is great on describing the historical context of the biblical scriptures about homosexuality:
The New Testament and Homosexuality Robin Scroggs
The following book is a supportive book for gay people in the church by a psychologist:
What God Has Joined Together? A Christian Case for Gay Marriage
by David G. Myers & Letha Dawson Scanzoni
If you aren’t up to getting the book, a brief version of his argument can be found here:
http://www.davidmyers.org/Brix?pageID=90
The following is a link to a discussion of David Myers book from a Reformed theological journal, mainly by conservative Christian critics:
http://www.westernsem.edu/Brix?pageID=17236
This article by Louis Smedes, “like the wideness of the sea” was especially meaningful to me:
http://www.soulforce.org/article/638
On the conservative side of things, Leanne Payne is a major writer in ex-gay ministries who claims homosexuality is something that needs to be healed. “The Broken Image: Restoring Personal Wholeness Through Healing Prayer” is one of her most famous books, but she has many.
In terms of biblica/psychological arguments against acting on your sexual orientation, Stan Jone’s response to Mel While from the recent Equality Ride visit is fairly representative. It can be found at:
http://www.wheaton.edu/CACE/resources/booklets/StanJonesResponsetoMelWhite.pdf
I can see how this would be hard to navigate as a new Christian. I encourage you to fine people you feel safe talking to. Personally, I am at peace with my sexual orientation, but it was a struggle for me to work it through.
Blessings
Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous current student — April 26, 2006 @ 7:48 pm