Cool Article on LGBT's at Christian Colleges

[Steven E. Webster]

Friends,

I've not read this article in detail yet, so I haven't noticed whether it mentions Soulforce's Equality Ride, but I'm sure that the Equality Ride had an important part to play in putting this issue on the media's "radar screen."

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/14897384.htm

Sorry, if someone's already remarked on this on this bulletin board already. It just came to my attention through a cool Methodist newslist I'm on.

Steven Webster

[Daniel]

Steven- thanks for this article. Yes. It does mention the Equality Ride. The following passages really resonated with me strongly- my experience at Evangel College mirrored that of David Cupps- even though I am a decade older:

David Cupps, a former student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, left the school because he felt he couldn't lead a congregation until he reconciled his faith with his sexual orientation.

"You can't underestimate the power of the church and home in getting people to deny their sexuality," Cupps said. "There are still plenty of kids who believe that God doesn't want them that way. They are insulated from the culture (at some religious schools), so they don't have to think about it."

"The schools set up a fear of difference and non-conformity that you can't talk through with anyone," Cupps said. "You never hear different views. It doesn't prepare people for the world."

Like Cupps, a good deal of time went by before I was able to start dealing with my sexuality. I believe there are unforseen consequences to this: much like a child who who is forced to walk too soon (the brain needs all the by-lateral motion inherent in crawling which nutures the brain and sets it up for the development of language), gay students are expected to act in ways that ignore their natural development. At the very time they could be dating and experiencing love in relationship (a period of maturation that is taken for granted in our society), they are sitting on the fence wondering if they are good enough for God. Is it any wonder then, that GLBT persons of faith can have such a hard time in life and love? It's like being thrown into the deep end of the pool without ever being taught to swim.

That said, I believe Love is generous and calls to us in spite of our fears.

Love

Love, by George Herbert.

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack'd anything.

'A guest,' I answer'd, 'worthy to be here:'
Love said, 'You shall be he.'
'I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee.'
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
'Who made the eyes but I?'

'Truth, Lord; but I have marr'd them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.'
'And know you not,' says Love, 'Who bore the blame?'
'My dear, then I will serve.'
'You must sit down,' says Love, 'and taste my meat.'
So I did sit and eat.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Thanks, Steven. That article was in the Lexington Herald-Leader (my newspaper) but I didn't buy Sunday's issue. I'm glad you posted the link! It did mention the Soulforce Equality Ride. Both Berea College and the University of the Cumberlands should be visited if a future ride comes through Kentucky.

[Zerbie]

Haven't got time to read the article yet, but seeing as how it's an experience I know nothing about, I really want to, and soon.

Wanted to pop in and comment that I greatly appreciate what Daniel has said about psycho-social development. It is SO important! And it is very easy for folks to completely fail to grasp the implications of skipping such an important stage of learning about how to inter-relate. Years ago I ran across a phrase someone had coined, "gay adolescence." Meaning, when you finally start learning what dating and falling in love is all about, at whatever age you finally allow yourself to have the genuine experience. It has a lot of repercussions.

[Steven E. Webster]

Thanks, Steven. That article was in the Lexington Herald-Leader (my newspaper) but I didn't buy Sunday's issue. I'm glad you posted the link! It did mention the Soulforce Equality Ride. Both Berea College and the University of the Cumberlands should be visited if a future ride comes through Kentucky.

Jamie,
Don't for Asbury Seminary and College. They are the ideological hotbed of right-wing Christianity in the United Methodist Church. The late-Executive Director of the Institute of Religion and Democracy (and chief plotter against the peace and unity of the Anglican Communion) was an Asbury grad as is at least one of the members of our on-line community here.

Steven Webster

[Daniel]

The late-Executive Director of the Institute of Religion and Democracy (and chief plotter against the peace and unity of the Anglican Communion) was an Asbury grad as is at least one of the members of our on-line community here.

Ghrrrrrrrrr! (Daniel! Heel! Don't tear the guy part: Remember the principles of nonviolence. )

[Jamie McDaniel]

The late-Executive Director of the Institute of Religion and Democracy (and chief plotter against the peace and unity of the Anglican Communion) was an Asbury grad as is at least one of the members of our on-line community here.
Soooo many gay men have graduated from Asbury! And more than a few "straight" ones have apparently played scantly-clothed wrestling in the men's dorms. Or so I've heard. :x

I'm curious, who were you referring to, Steve. Didn't you graduate from Edgewood College and Daniel from Evangel College?

[Steven E. Webster]

Soooo many gay men have graduated from Asbury! And more than a few "straight" ones have apparently played scantly-clothed wrestling in the men's dorms. Or so I've heard. :x

I'm curious, who were you referring to, Steve. Didn't you graduate from Edgewood College and Daniel from Evangel College?

Jamie,
I might be telling tales out of school! I know a member of this bulletin board who is an Asbury Grad, but I'm not sure he revealed that fact here, so maybe I should keep mum about him.

I did get my MA in Religious Studies from Edgewood College, which is affiliated with the Sinsinawa Dominicans--a very cool group of Roman Catholic nuns. The school was very progressive in all respects and admitted me as an openly gay man (and a Methodist at that!) interested in studying lesbian and gay issues in ministry and religion. It was great! Religious schools do not need to practice or teach anti-gay bigotry.

Steven Webster