2008 Woodie Awards
Student examines homosexuality on campus: Part 3
Ben Nielsen
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Forum
Writers' Note: The following is part three of a three-part series on homosexuality on campus. This article will provide opinions from students, faculty and individuals affiliated with Southwest Baptist University. It should be remembered that SBU does not have a policy that specifically targets homosexuality, but SBU does have a policy on sexual impropriety. For more information, please read the Student Handbook.
The following are responses from those who have expressed their concern for the issue of homosexuality. Each are reacting on their own will and discuss their opinions not on just the policy of sexual impropriety, but also homosexuality itself.
Senior Matt Gallion:
First, love is of utmost importance. Love without preference based on character perks or flaws. Love is required by God, and it must be given to every individual we encounter.
Secondly, love does not always necessarily equal tolerance. I do not believe that we should treat homosexuals as "dirty" or "unclean," but that we should unendingly love them. However, the institution has its rules, and if it did not uphold them, then it would not be doing its job.
Third, SBU should and at least claims to be policing all areas of conduct. We are always free to go somewhere those rules are not written law. But I also understand the "dubious" manner SBU is claimed to have forced those rules upon us.
Finally, having several friends who are gay, I would like to say on their behalf that one of their biggest pet peeves is when heterosexual Christians stand up for them.
They do not consider themselves a minority without a voice in need of representation from social activists. This is not meant to condemn anyone's action. It's better to stand up than to sit back, but I think we would do a greater service to the gay community if we spent more time simply loving them and less time talking about how we should on Facebook.
A particular friend of mine, on his own accord, decided to leave SBU when he came out. He reasoned that the institution had its rules against his chosen way of life, and out of respect for it, he chose for himself to submit to those standards and leave. He had no problems with the policies that SBU had established to define their understanding of a good way of life, just as he had found his own way. If those conflicted, then he, by no means, felt it necessary to rebel or complain.
The following are responses from those who have expressed their concern for the issue of homosexuality. Each are reacting on their own will and discuss their opinions not on just the policy of sexual impropriety, but also homosexuality itself.
Senior Matt Gallion:
First, love is of utmost importance. Love without preference based on character perks or flaws. Love is required by God, and it must be given to every individual we encounter.
Secondly, love does not always necessarily equal tolerance. I do not believe that we should treat homosexuals as "dirty" or "unclean," but that we should unendingly love them. However, the institution has its rules, and if it did not uphold them, then it would not be doing its job.
Third, SBU should and at least claims to be policing all areas of conduct. We are always free to go somewhere those rules are not written law. But I also understand the "dubious" manner SBU is claimed to have forced those rules upon us.
Finally, having several friends who are gay, I would like to say on their behalf that one of their biggest pet peeves is when heterosexual Christians stand up for them.
They do not consider themselves a minority without a voice in need of representation from social activists. This is not meant to condemn anyone's action. It's better to stand up than to sit back, but I think we would do a greater service to the gay community if we spent more time simply loving them and less time talking about how we should on Facebook.
A particular friend of mine, on his own accord, decided to leave SBU when he came out. He reasoned that the institution had its rules against his chosen way of life, and out of respect for it, he chose for himself to submit to those standards and leave. He had no problems with the policies that SBU had established to define their understanding of a good way of life, just as he had found his own way. If those conflicted, then he, by no means, felt it necessary to rebel or complain.
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