[Z-man]

I got an email from my Alma Mater today regarding an uninvited visit from an organization. I've removed my college name / details since it wasn't sent to all the public.

For the record, I went to a Christian College. The students, teachers, and faculty all voluntarily sign an ethos statement where they agree to honor the college's code of conduct and behavior. Being a Christian is not a requirement for the school -- as long as you adhere to the college guidelines while attending the school, anyone can study there. (I would guess that roughly 20% of the students that go there are not Christians.)

So here is the letter in full (only names and dates have been removed.)

Email from my school:
An Open Letter from President ... to the ... College Community
re: Equality Ride’s Visit to [The] College

February 16, 2007

[The] College was recently notified by a national organization named Equality Ride that it plans to visit The school's main] campus on [date removed.] Equality Ride is an organized bus tour of activists, typically college-age, who schedule unsolicited visits to private and religious colleges, universities, and academies that they consider to have policies that create a disparity between treatment of heterosexual and homosexual students. Last year, Equality Riders visited approximately 25 campuses. In March and April of 2007, Equality Ride will visit nearly 40 institutions, including, in addition to [this college], other schools in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) such as [X] College and [Y] College.

The Equality Ride initiative is sponsored by Soulforce, a national advocacy organization which according to its mission statement seeks “freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.” In [This college's] case, Equality Ride is protesting the College’s inclusion of homosexual behavior, among other behaviors, as a “sinful practice” in its Community Covenant and student handbook.

It is important for the campus community to understand that [This] College affirms its institutional stance on homosexual behavior, and that we did not invite Equality Ride to visit our campus. Equality Ride did not seek our permission to visit [our school], and based on the organization’s past practice and their communication with us, we know that they are planning to come to campus whether we grant them permission or not. As a Christian institution of higher education, however, we must be willing to address difficult issues through civil debate and discussion. The College is committed to preparing students to think critically about human sexuality from a biblical perspective. For instance, during the past several months, the Division of Student Affairs, in partnership with other campus departments, has been planning a week of educational programming in March which will provide students with a breadth of learning experiences related to a biblical perspective of sexual identity.

Accordingly, the College has decided to respond to Equality Ride’s visit as an opportunity to model gracious Christianity and hospitality to those who express different viewpoints, to encourage meaningful campus conversation about a complex social issue, and to equip students to better understand human sexuality from a biblical perspective. This response, which will take place within a caring Christian educational community, is consistent with [The school's] ethos and heritage, and with our mission to prepare students for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in the Church and society.

In preparation for Equality Ride's visit, I have asked [name removed], vice provost/dean of students, and [name removed], director of public relations/special assistant to the president for communication, to co-chair a campus committee of students, faculty, and administrators to coordinate the visit and develop opportunities for educational dialogue. College leadership has already been in conversation with Equality Ride organizers regarding the details of their visit. In order to ensure careful planning, students and employees are asked to forward any requests from Equality Riders to [names removed].

I will continue to keep the [name removed] College community informed about the planning for Equality Ride’s visit. It is my hope that during Equality Ride’s visit all members of the campus community will exhibit maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith. By modeling gracious and compassionate conversation, [the school] has an opportunity to distinguish itself as an authentically Christian college in the face of challenging circumstances. Obviously, this issue is an extremely difficult and important one, not only for [our school], but for many educational and church communities. As we prepare for Equality Ride’s visit, I invite you to join me in praying for God’s wisdom and guidance.

Personally, I believe that homosexuality is a sin - but it is not the only sin in the world. The Bible clearly states that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That means that although I am a Christian, I am not exempt from sinning. And in God's eyes, all sin, no matter how big or how small, has the same result: separation from God. However, I also believe that while God hates sin, He loves the sinner. As such, while God hates homosexuality, He loves the homosexual.

That being said, I feel that this whole Equity Ride campaign is an effort for force homosexual beliefs upon those who do not accept it as a "proper" or "sinless" lifestyle. And that is where I draw the line. No one is forcing the students at my alma mater to sign the ethos statement or to attend there - and despite what some may believe, there are no brainwashing ceremonies or cool-aid events at my school.

Personally, if a homosexual discusses his views with me, I will express my opinion on homosexuality and sin, and do my best to treat him or her like God would. In the past, I've clearly pointed out that I consider myself just as much of a sinner as anyone else. I have never rammed my views down their throats, and would prefer they refrain from doing the same.

So my stance is this: I will do my best to love homosexuals as God loves them. But I feel it is inappropriate for them to want me to embrace their lifestyle.

Thoughts?

-Z-man.