Wheaton College Alumni Rally Around Gay Students

By Adelle M. Banks
Religion News Service

(RNS) Gay and supportive alumni of Wheaton College have formed a new organization following a recent chapel series at the flagship evangelical school on "Sexuality and Wholeness."

More than 400 signatories have signed an open letter to students at the Christian college in suburban Chicago to present an alternative message to one from a chapel speaker who supports gay celibacy.

"The recent chapel message on Sexuality and Wholeness and surrounding conversations may have left you feeling alienated, ashamed and afraid," reads the open letter. "Many of us felt trapped and unable to respond honestly to these messages while we were students."

Matthew Gore, a spokesman for OneWheaton and a 2004 Wheaton alumnus, said the group wants gay and lesbian students at the school to know that they have support among gay alumni.

"As it is, most of those students would be afraid to talk to anybody," he said. "That's just the environment there."

In an emailed response to the letter, Wheaton President Philip Ryken told students that the school considers gay people members "of the human family as created in the image of God himself," but remains committed to its covenant that condemns homosexual behavior.

"Many have experienced insensitive or callous responses in this community, for which we repent and seek forgiveness," he wrote, adding the school condemns violence and injustice toward gays.

Wheaton spokeswoman LaTonya Taylor said the recent chapel series addressed pornography and abstinence and included a sermon from Wheaton alumnus Wesley Hill, author of "Washed and Waiting," who "spoke from the perspective of a Christian who experiences same-sex attraction but has chosen to pursue celibacy."

Comments

[Dan Martin]

11:59 PM on 05/27/2011

This is great, many gay students are very spiritual. Ignoring gay students leaves them feeling marginalized and alienated. Every campus should place a high value on tolerance.

[SteveHansen]

07:29 PM on 05/06/2011

The important question that Christians, including the faculty of Wheaton College, should be asking is, "How should we minister to gay people?".

By asking that question, you have to acknowledge that gay people exist, and that God makes some people gay. Then, you have to ask, "Why does God make some people gay?".

The answers to those questions do not lead to the conclusions that some right-wing "conservatives" would like. Instead, they lead to the conclusion that "Christian" and "right-wing conservative" are fundamentally incompatible adjectives, that cannot both apply to the same person.

[palindrom]

11:08 PM on 05/05/2011

For as long as I live, I will be grateful to my parents for the wonderful upbringing they gave me.

One of the best things about it was that they raised me with no religion at all.

[JOHNSPEAKS]

09:15 PM on 05/05/2011

Can -You- be considered Homosexual (Gay) and still be a virgin which means that -You- are without sin by the church and entitled to all the benefits of heaven???

[LintLass]

10:20 PM on 05/05/2011

Trust me, the oppression of LGBT youth starts long before you even have your first kiss.

[Ioan Lightoller]

12:45 AM on 05/06/2011

Blessed be to THAT, LintLass!

[detroitblkmale30]

07:32 AM on 05/06/2011

yes you can, but sin isnt just limited to sexuality of course.

[rafaelrobyns]

09:02 PM on 05/06/2011

I was going to say, according to the big potato himself, no one is without sin.

[Justpenandpaper]

09:05 PM on 05/05/2011

Truth will always be truth, no matter what the sentiment.

[Ioan Lightoller]

01:12 PM on 05/06/2011

And and in other religions gay is not a sin is the truth. How about that? Other religions exist besides Xtiantiyl.

[Justpenandpaper]

02:56 PM on 05/06/2011

Like I said, truth will always be truth, no matter what the sentiment. There is such thing as absolutely truth.

[VBH1622]

08:49 PM on 05/05/2011

Wheaton President Philip Ryken told students that the school considers gay people members "of the human family as created in the image of God himself," but remains committed to its covenant that condemns homosexual behavior.

Is there some irony there? If gay people are created in the image of God himself, how can their behavior be any more sinful that that of heterosexuals?

[Henry Juhala]

12:24 AM on 05/06/2011

President Ryken seems to be playing politics. In real life he has a history of being very anti-gay or perhaps, better stated, being pro-exgay. But, he knows as the spokesperson for a broad range of students, staff and alumni he has to be a bit more diplomatic in his public comments.

[detroitblkmale30]

07:34 AM on 05/06/2011

its not anymore sinful. A gay student having sex on a saturday night is just as sinful as a heterosexual one doing the same.

[rafaelrobyns]

09:06 PM on 05/06/2011

Which is to say, not.

[New Yorker]

07:52 PM on 05/05/2011

Look people, I'm a Left Leaning Democrat, a huge fan of Obama, never vote for a Republican. But when it comes to Offending God, Breaking His laws, and choosing to sin, just paint me in just to the Right of Soddom & Gomorrah, they were just a tad too Left, even for me. Say what you want about sexual freedom, there was certainly something that the Almighty Really, Really Didn't Like about the people doing whatever they were doing in Soddom & Gomorrah, and you'll have to pardom me and most people not wanting to sign up for the Soddomites Fan Club, or the Gommorhan's Party Night. They're just my idea of a Hot Time in the old town.

[CJ1]

09:08 PM on 05/05/2011

Ad nauseum, your misunderstanding about Sodom has been written, but you don't read. It was about inhospitible behavior, not gay sex, genius. And learn to spell, too. And the bybul is a crappy book changed ten thousand times anyway. If you read even the Vatican's admissions, you'd know that. But you are too lazy to bother, eh?

[littlefairy]

01:06 AM on 05/06/2011

I am not saying I agree with New Yorker theologically, but CJ1, I don't think it was about inhospitable behavior even though so many pastors want to say so. I mean give me a break--it was about a crowd of men demanding that Lot let them in to have their way with his male guests (angels?). It is a shame, though, that the patriarchal influence throughout time told the story so that the point gets to be about the guests being in danger of being raped and used for the townsmen's sexual "pleasure" (I think I'd call it rather perverse whether one man or a town full.). The daughters are basically pushed out the door as a sacrifice--something to satisfy their lust even though the men were their first choice.

It is VERY scary for most of us when we begin to question our own beliefs and our allegiance to them. For any who may be interested, I would recommend Sue Monk Kidd's book, "Dance of the Dissident Daughter" to see how one devout Christian woman handled the unexpected crisis of faith that she experienced in midlife. There is heavy pressure to stay within a certain way of thinking or risk being called not just backslidden, but apostate.

[detroitblkmale30]

07:35 AM on 05/06/2011

No it was inhospitality and a whole host of sins including same sex acts. Sorry, more complicated than you make it out to be.

[RockyMissouri]

05:47 PM on 05/06/2011

I'm a straight, godless sodomite who supports LGBT friends, but I used to be a bigot... God forgives me...Gay people are fabulous. They make wonderful neighbors, parents and parents.!

[scottyknows]

06:49 PM on 05/05/2011

All people are created in the image of God. All people sin. Homosexuality should be discussed on any Christian college campus in other context other than that it is a sin God did not create and does not accept; He does not accept any rationalization for it, either, just as He does not accept that for any other sin.

The world is once again turned upside-down on this topic. Do not ask God to accept your sin. Seek to find yourself acceptable to Him who is holy and righteous.

If you wish to convert people to your sin, simply renounce your faith and move on.

[Ioan Lightoller]

12:11 AM on 05/06/2011

I AM acceptable to my god and goddess. They love me as I am...as they do my husband. My marriage is as good, as decent, and as holy as any heterosexual union. Why should your religion rule my life?

There are Christian denominations and other religions that would gladly marry usLEGALLY if they could. What about their rights?

[littlefairy]

10:55 AM on 05/06/2011

Black and White thinking lives on.

[greysells2]

06:48 PM on 05/05/2011

Everyone needs to mind their own business and not that of others. How has same sex attraction hurt you in any way if you are straight? Why are we more absorbed with how others love instead of how we love? Jesus [and the New Testament"] stand for love and acceptance. Can we not do what Jesus has done? Love between responsible adults is to be admired and supported in a Christian context. Can we drop the bigotry and hate? Soon?

[scottyknows]

07:04 PM on 05/05/2011

Ah, if only Jesus had minded his own business. Would that he had listened to your wisdom.

Unfortunately, he brought something deeper than letting people wallow in their own sin and temporary pleasures. He brought a way to holiness and forgiveness.

Why, how rude of him to bring forgiveness? That implies I've done something wrong! The nerve! Doesn't he know that hurts people's feelings? Better to let them go to hell with a smile than show them the way to eternity.

Yes, grey, we should all drop the "bigotry and hate" and let people dance their way to hell with false pride and parades. Unfortunately, again, Jesus loved us too much to let us play in the traffic.

[LintLass]

07:40 PM on 05/05/2011

Funny, he never said a word against gay people, though.

Or seemed to scream about other people having 'false Gods' so much as his own having 'false prophets.' Hrm.

[garyt1205]

07:57 PM on 05/05/2011

You might want to read the bible in historical context. Paul's remarks about men sleeping with men have to do with pediphilia which ran rampent in the Roman empire among roman men and middle eastern men as well. The movie the Kite Runner points this out in middle eastern culture.

Because of roman property rights, the men did not wish to conceive more children with women who would be entitled to inheritance. Thus, young males would receive the favor of men to get ahead for sex much as the HBO series Rome pointed out. Paul was writing against this practice because it objectified young men much as our culture objectifies women.

I think Jesus would support loving gay marriages today because love was more important to Him than the law. Today's evangelicals are so busy watching what other people do that they do not do enough honest reflection on themselves. The very thing that Jesus accused the Pharicees of.

[RockyMissouri]

05:57 PM on 05/06/2011

Thank you...!

[el sistema]

04:57 PM on 05/05/2011

I am still curious why gay students want to attend a Christian school that exhibits such intolerance for gay life. It seems this is similar to a Hispanic person trying to get a job with Joe Arpaio's sheriff's department in Arizona.

[Oneandoneandone]

05:56 PM on 05/05/2011

Maybe because, I don't know, they're Christian?

[el sistema]

06:18 PM on 05/05/2011

That's a poor response. It doesn't answer why. Even if these gay students called themselves Christian why they would want to attend a school displaying intolerance for the life they have?

[LintLass]

07:16 PM on 05/05/2011

There are a lot of reasons: family pressures, (or simple demands: who says kids in Evangelical families actually get much choice in the matter? When I was a kid I had to apply to Catholic colleges I had no intention of attending in order to even have a chance of going to any *others,* and I assure you I went through a certain amount of hell *about* it. )

...And a lot of LGBT people raised in Evangelical families were also raised to be in denial and self-hatred, just like that school's trying to teach *now.* It can be like 'Why do gays join the military when there is such discrimination: sometimes it looks no worse than what's one's living with already and is the only ticket out of town.

Often times these religious-based schools will offer a lot better financial aid to 'their own,' too, which can add up to some pretty tempting offers or the only viable ones. (I personally had gotten one from one of those Catholic schools: a full ride was tempting indeed: independence, if I could stick it out, ...but it still would have meant being too close to a bad situation I just had to get the Hec away from.)

[mj126]

02:43 AM on 05/06/2011

LintLass, the school is absolutely not trying to teach denial and self-hatred. This is something that is really hard to articulate and I apologize for how inadequately the following paragraph will be. As a student at Wheaton who is exclusively attracted to the same sex and has been open-ish (close friends and mentors know), I can honestly say the *last* thing they want is for me to hate myself. So much of my time in counseling and in conversation with friends and professors has been them reminding me over and over that I am loved, that it's not something to see as gross or disgusting (though, yes, "broken"). I enrolled as a deeply confused freshman, came out as a sophomore, and have since found healing for the pain I thought I had to feel.

As you can see in Dr. Ryken's email, the church has a lot to apologize for. Wheaton is trying to open up conversation and break the stigma has crusted over the debate and engendered deep isolation for those attracted to the same sex and an attitude of homosexuality being a "special sin" for those who enjoy being judgmental. I promise you, the administration is trying to change this attitude- to normalize the issue while still holding its (what I would immovably consider Biblical) stance. That's the hard part, and it can't be expressed adequately here, so I apologize. Check out Richard Hays' Moral Vision of the New Testament for an evangelical summary.

[OkiTokiDoki]

04:19 PM on 05/05/2011

I can't believe that their best suggestion is "Ok. We understand that you have feelings of attraction toward people of the opposite sex, but you are just going to have to live forever and never act on those actions, remain celibate forever." Even though gay and lesbian couples are consentually agreeing to want to be together and are harming no one. I think it is the hyper judgmental thoughts of the Christian church on these certain acts of sin (i.e. homosexuality), weighing them much greater than any other sin (i.e. theft). There are no demeaning and violent crimes against shoplifters of the Christian church in the news stories that I've noticed. I disagree that homosexuals should just 'not go to this school' because it is a Christian school. Let us all learn tolerance, and realize that gay people can be good people who benefit society and they can believe in God and Jesus just like anyone else.

[Oneandoneandone]

05:57 PM on 05/05/2011

F&F. Well said.

[scottyknows]

06:51 PM on 05/05/2011

Please, then, tolerate the lessons of the bible if you wish to study. Ignore it if you do not. Do not seek to convert people into accepting your sin.

[Semprini]

07:44 PM on 05/05/2011

What were Jesus' exact words on being gay?

[garyt1205]

08:07 PM on 05/05/2011

The greek and hebrew words we translate as sin are archery terms that mean missing the mark. If an archer misses the mark, they try again. I fear that Jesus was a lot more tolerant than many legalists walking the planet today. It was His love, not his condemnation that changed them, by not judging them, He gave them the freedom to choose a saner way of life. Remember, Jesus did not hang with church people, he condemned them. Don't you think He would do the same today? He chose to be with people no body wanted: the poor, disadvantaged, disabled etc.

I fear that literalists nad legalistts as many evnagelicals are, may be missing the whole point of what He taught. I had the condemning hell fire Jesus for a long time, thanks to evnagelical teachings. I know now that God loves me no matter what. His love is not based on what I do, but who I am as his child. Doctrine and dogma, as Jesus pointed out, only keeps people from knowing who they are in God's eyes. And people who worry more about somebody's else's sin lack the honesty to look at their own side of the street.

[Rudi Jones]

03:52 PM on 05/05/2011

I don't understand why you would attend a Christian college if you live an LGBT lifestyle. Clearly, the school's mission statement at this (and countless other Christian colleges) is that they disapprove of homosexuality based on the Bible. Why debate about it? If you don't like it, don't go to a Christian school.

[Nick Mages]

04:49 PM on 05/05/2011

Catholics doctors want an exemption from having to present abortion as an option if its in the best interest of the mother's health.

Would you tell those who want the exemption "I don't know why you wanted to be a doctor if your beliefs are going to interfere with your job when it concerns decisions regarding a patient's reproductive health"?

[Ioan Lightoller]

05:22 PM on 05/05/2011

Of course not. This sort of thing only applies if LGBT people are involved.

[everything boy]

05:19 PM on 05/05/2011

Do you know what Stockholm syndrome is? Do you know that a large percentage of women who wear what most of us would consider "oppressive religious clothing" actually prefer it to western clothes? Did you know that there was a large outpouring of emotion after Stalin's death, even in the gulags populated by those imprisoned by Stalin? The human mind is a crazy thing, it has capacities to believe things that make no logical sense at all.

[scottyknows]

07:05 PM on 05/05/2011

True. I know people who after moving to San Francisco lost all moral sense.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

12:48 PM on 05/05/2011

Ah, yes. Xtians just love to trot out the "h8 the sin, love the sinner" routine. It assuages so much of their guilt over having cherry-picked homosexuality out of their book of fables as being the mortal enemy of xtianity.

Based on what I've read from their book of fables, it would seem to me that if their Jesus were here today, he'd be VISITING bars of all types - just talking to people and spreading his message of love for one another.

The problem today's xtians have is: that type of behavior doesn't fill the weekly collection plate. There's not much monetary gain in simply loving one another. Unless they promote some sort of boogeyman, their schtick just does not work.

So sad.

[stuoverit]

12:59 PM on 05/05/2011

It's funny how they never seem to "hate the sin" of judgement, no?

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

01:05 PM on 05/05/2011

Exactly. It always fascinates me how they revel in it, yet firmly believe they're not being judgmental. The human brain's tolerance for incongruity is amazing.

[scottyknows]

06:52 PM on 05/05/2011

Judging sin is not sin, as Jesus did this frequently.

Can you be forgiven if you have not sinned?

[boomer7391]

07:38 PM on 05/05/2011

if jesus were alive today he'd change his name to buddha

[boomer7391]

12:39 PM on 05/05/2011

another moderator either can't read faster than a fifth grader or not bothering to post comments made hours ago i see

[greysells2]

07:15 PM on 05/05/2011

repost your comment. You'll get a different mod this time and your ideas might ge tthrough.

[JDuck]

11:29 AM on 05/05/2011

Why believe in a system that does not believe in you...?

[Scott Martini]

11:47 AM on 05/05/2011

To change the system?

[JDuck]

03:11 PM on 05/05/2011

Is it working?

[boomer7391]

07:41 PM on 05/05/2011

there are plenty of "systems" that don't hold hateful views...anglicans, unitarians, not that i wish to believe in fairy tales and talking snakes, still there's a flavor of christianity for everyone so why bother with the bitter flavored ones when there are sweet ones...because some folks like bitter of course....sumpin for everyone