Ministry News

Gay Activists Target Christian Colleges

Details: Friday, 06 May 2011 22:40

A group of alumni from Wheaton College have formed OneWheaton, an organization to provide support for the gay community on the conservative Christian campus and to promote the view that homosexual practice is compatible with the Christian faith.

"If you are a student and this is part of your story, your sexual identity is not a tragic sign of the sinful nature of the world," a letter to Wheaton students posted on the group's website reads. "You are not tragic. Your desire for companionship, intimacy and love is not shameful. It is to be affirmed and celebrated just as you are to be affirmed and celebrated."

The letter, worded as a response to "a recent chapel message on Sexuality and Wholeness," is followed with a list of several hundred alumni signatories—all of whom are either homosexual or support the campaign—with their graduation years and cities. The group's organizers also reached out to students by distributing informational fliers outside a chapel service, prompting an internal email from college president Leland Ryken, affirming "the full humanity and dignity of every human being, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity" but restating the school's biblical position on homosexual practice.

OneWheaton's campaign is the most recent incident in a string of challenges to Christian colleges' policies on sexuality. The pro-gay advocacy group Soulforce organizes events to put pressure on Christian colleges and churches to embrace homosexuality. Since 2006, Soulforce has conducted annual "Equality Rides" that have demonstrated at schools such as Oral Roberts, Regent and Lee Universities. Soulforce has has also demonstrated outside well-known megachurches and met with pastors such as Eddie Long and Joel Osteen in an attempt to persuade them to adjust their views on homosexuality.

While some schools have held firm in their prohibitions against homosexual behavior, others have bent to student pressure and allowed gay student organizations. An April 18 New York Times article noted the presence of an unrecognized "club to discuss sexuality and fight homophobia" at Baylor University (a historically Baptist school), as well as similar groups at Abiline Christian and Harding Universities.

As many Christian college students receive federal and state financial aid, it remains to be seen if the debate will remain in the realm of public conversation and move toward legal challenges for schools that maintain conservative standards regarding students' sexual conduct.

— Chicago Tribune, Christian Post, New York Times

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Comments

-2 #9 B.J.Stone 2011-05-11 01:58

Same sex couples ALL have 'actives' and 'passives', same as ALL heterosexual couples. There is NO leadership equality, one becomes 'head', the other 'tale' and eventually this ALWAYS shows up in any and ALL 'relationships' as 'couples' as to aggressive over more passive in personalities and psychological makeup in philosophies in life on this tiny blue marble. All here are in 'sinful flesh bodies'. Sin happens in both passive AND active 'flesh' here on this planet. JC said in last days, the angels will separate 'wheat from tares'. Also He said 'one will be taken' from the 'other' as pertaining to 'couples'. Two men in a bed (of marriage) one taken from the other, the other left without the one taken. The aggressor is the one immediately taken into judgment and away from the more passive, and the passive awaits further judgment (in separations). Only the carcasses of both remain for the vultures.

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+2 #8 AnElijah 2011-05-10 20:24

What will it take to love people into wholeness and out of sin? Truth (=requires a conversation). Truth is the doorway into receiving his Mercy (ie. forgiveness, healing and deliverance). We are guilty as the church for not loving well, and not speaking truth and thereby leading people to Jesus for freedom and right identity. God help the church!

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-1 #7 B.J.Stone 2011-05-10 08:29

Homosexuality may be compatable with the 'TARE on' faith but should not be associated with the 'WHEAT on' faith. Call it 'OneTAREon' and then take any reference to Christ from the college or branch of the school which associates "Christianity" with any homo 'Christlikeness'. Problems with schools who long have been mostly also 'cessationalistic' associated, and should have never used the name "Anointed" ("Anointed one", "Christian") in today's eccumenical world of 'religious' psychological training and 'philosophical' life coach mentalities (along with a 'reformed' catholic mentality, instead of studying primarily Hebrew/Greek to English texts (have become 'mother' KJV, AV spinoffs, inspired ONLY)

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0 #6 AlinPalmCoast 2011-05-10 06:32

Where are the Elijahs of GOD?!

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+8 #5 MarkDeckard 2011-05-10 04:55

Let's force them into a theological debate. It is there the Mask of gay Christianity will be stripped off. Here is my premise: If Gays can be Christians then show me a biblical framework for homosexual purity vs homosexual sin. We heterosexuals have a frame work by which we must live within biblical parameters defined for our heterosexual desires. So if gays can be Christian what does a sexually pure gay person look like? Can they go to he'll for committing adultery? Heterosexuals can. Can gays go to he'll for fornicating? Heterosexuals can. Can gays go to he'll for living together out of wedlock? Heterosexuals can. I dare say that if these issues were explored fully in a debate you would find that these so called gay Christians would completely reject all doctrines of sexual purity and morality as well as the doctrine of eternal punishment. Even if the gay life were accepted as an equal status in the church. They dont want our Lord, they want a license. .

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-6 #4 John David 2011-05-10 04:47

I am surprised that you would waste your time and ink talking about what homosexuals are doing, as if it is a legitmate activity. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I for one am ending my subscription to this newsletter and Charisma as well. Anyone who wastes their time identifying with the homosexual community is, in my opionion, working to advance the works of darkness, and I would rather not be identified with them.

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+2 #3 Marilyn Krivanek 2011-05-10 04:26

God is calling the Body of Christ to holiness not compromise(uncleaness). 1Thess 4:7 If they knew God they would walk in the truth.2Jn 4-11 Don't take them into your house you are sharing in their evil works. Remember Sodom & Gomorrah their still burning today as an example. Jude 7. I'm talking also about the adultry,fornication, divorce, all going on in the Church and all claiming to be christians I'm confused , I cain't tell the difference in the Body of Christ and the World. I'm think the churches Jesus was speaking to in Rev. are about to get their lampstands put out. Does 2 Chronicles 7;14 not apply to the Body of Christ? So whats wrong with this picture.

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-1 #2 BarbaraC 2011-05-10 04:15

Can God's judgment on America be far away?

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0 #1 keelalou 2011-05-10 03:11

If they're putting pressure on these kids, then put pressure on this organization, Soulforce. I am so sick of hearing what theses organizations are doing. constantly trying to force their way of thinking of others.

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