Covenant College Fears Equality Ride

[revtj]

Hey gang,

This is a copy of a letter being sent out by Covenant College after learning of the SF ER coming to their campus. I am an alum. I would invite you to their website but it is open only to the elect. I had to beg them to let me in and they regret it...it's funny, the big concern they have is that donors will misunderstand the visit and they might lose money. They also seem to think that SF ER coming to their campus may make someone think it's a gay-is-ok place and we can't have that, now can we?

There are some rich donors and some powerhouses like D James Kennedy of Coral Ridge who are affiliated with the college. It would not surprise me if some of these people demand a very inhospitable response.

Here is their letter...


RE: Soulforce Equality Ride is comin' to Covenant Lookout Mountain, GA Covenant College]
Marshall Rowe '87

I am copying on here a letter which is going to be sent out in the morning so you are all ahead of the crowd on this. The letter is followed by a QandA sheet about the ride. I want to assure you that the decisions about this have come after a great deal of study of the organization and their practices and motives, numerous conversations with them and a great deal of prayer.


February 8, 2007


Dear Alumni,

Late last semester an organization called Soulforce (www.soulforce.org) contacted Covenant to say they would like to bring the Equality Ride (www.equalityride.com) to our campus. The Equality Ride is a national bus tour of college campuses sponsored by Soulforce to challenge policies that they claim discriminate against homosexuals. This group targets colleges and universities that maintain a biblically-based stance on the issue of homosexuality, as Covenant does, and attempts to generate negative media attention to these institutions.

We did not invite these visitors to our campus. However, based on the Equality Ride’s past actions and their statements to us recently, we know that they are coming to Covenant whether we grant them permission or not. Other institutions have refused them permission to visit their campuses, and the Equality Ride visited anyway. Equality Ride officials have told us directly that they plan to visit Covenant regardless of whether we grant them permission.

We presented the organization with a proposed Letter of Agreement, to be signed by both Covenant and Equality Ride officials. The Letter of Agreement stipulated guidelines and a schedule for their visit. The schedule included meetings with key administrators, faculty, and student leaders in a designated room, but not free access for the Equality Ride participants to roam campus and meet with anyone of their choosing.

We repeatedly asked that Soulforce accept our hospitality and respect our expectations by signing the Letter of Agreement. Equality Ride officials stated that, while they would agree to not enter residence halls or distribute literature, they would not agree to only meet with designated people in a designated room; they want unsupervised access to roam the campus and meet with any student or community member. Because the Equality Ride officials have chosen not to accept our offer, we are considering not allowing them on our campus. We regret that they have chosen this course of action.

Equality Ride officials have brought to our attention that they may find an off-campus location in the community where they will invite students and others to join them. Institutionally, we do not have control over what the group does away from Covenant’s campus or whether students visit the group at an off-campus location.

We will take every precaution to prepare our students, faculty, and staff for this visit so that they will be informed and able to make wise decisions.

Our policy is clear as it relates to a student’s sexual conduct. When students enroll at Covenant, they voluntarily sign the biblically-based Standards of Conduct (www.covenant.edu/standardsofconduct), agreeing to abstain from "sexual sins (such as premarital sex, adultery, homosexual behavior and the use or possession of obscene or pornographic material.)" We remain firmly committed to our biblically-based standards of sexuality.

In addition to communicating with you as an alum, we are also now contacting students, parents, faculty, staff, and our board of trustees to inform them of this event and our plans to manage it.

We ask that you join us in prayer as we seek wisdom to handle this situation responsibly and in a Christ-like manner. We are a community that teaches students what it means to be Christian servant-leaders. This is an opportunity for us to live that out.

Included with this letter is a question-and-answer document to provide you with further insight. If you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at rowe@covenant.edu or call 706.419.1649.

Sincerely,

Marshall Rowe
Director of Alumni Relations


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING EQUALITY RIDE

1. Who is Soulforce, and what is the Equality Ride?
A: Soulforce (www.soulforce.org) is an organization whose stated purpose is to “promote freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance." The Equality Ride (www.equalityride.com) is a bus tour which will visit over 30 college campuses this year to promote Soulforce’s cause and beliefs. Most of these campuses are members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Now in its second year, the Equality Ride is sponsored by Soulforce, and claims to follow in the tradition of the freedom rides of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

2. Why is the Equality Ride coming to Covenant?
A: Covenant College is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Covenant has been targeted by Soulforce as a campus to visit to promote the cause and beliefs of Soulforce and to challenge college policies that they consider to be anti-gay.

3. Did Covenant invite the Equality Ride to its campus?
A: No. Covenant did not invite the Equality Ride group to come to campus. The Equality Ride contacted Covenant and informed us of their intention to visit our campus on Monday, April 2.

4. How did Covenant respond to the Equality Ride?
A: After prayerful and careful consideration, we felt it best to allow the Equality Riders to visit, while placing guidelines on their visit. We believed this was an opportunity for us to embrace our visitors without condoning their lifestyles or beliefs. We presented the Equality Ride officials with a Letter of Agreement, which outlined a schedule for the day and guidelines. The Equality Ride officials, however, refused Covenant’s offer to have dialogue. We regret that they have made this decision and now must consider our response to them.

5. Will students be safe?
A: Providing a safe and secure environment is always a priority. We have a strong security plan that has been communicated to all personnel involved. We will also brief local law enforcement. Additionally, any groups that either oppose or support the Equality Ride will not be allowed on campus. We are considering not allowing the Equality Ride members to enter Covenant’s campus. Should they set up a gathering at an off-campus location, we will encourage students to make wise decisions.

6. What is Covenant's stance on homosexuality?
A: Our policy is clear as it relates to a student’s sexual conduct while enrolled at Covenant. When students enroll at Covenant College, they voluntarily sign the biblically-based Standards of Conduct (www.covenant.edu/standardsofconduct), agreeing to abstain from "sexual sins (such as premarital sex, adultery, homosexual behavior and the use or possession of obscene or pornographic material.)" Covenant’s policy on human sexuality is based on the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

7. Is Covenant considering changing its policies?
A: No. Covenant is not changing its policies. Our policies are biblically-based and in keeping with the historical position of the Church and current laws governing private colleges and universities.

8. How does Covenant help students who may be struggling with these issues?
A: Covenant provides trained Resident Assistants and Resident Directors along with other caring Student Development staff, faculty, coaches and staff who seek to come alongside students in their struggles. Additionally, licensed counselors are available on campus for students struggling with any personal issue. These counselors are willing to provide ample support to students who may struggle with a wide array of personal issues. Covenant will also refer students to outside resources in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas in order to get students the assistance they need.

[dsdrane]

Uff da!

It's not much, but I will say the letter was one of the more evenly and, dare I say, diplomatically drafted I personally have ever seen coming from an institution like this.

Small comfort, given the context, but certainly noteworthy in the realm of civil discourse.

I'll be following this one....

David

[keltic63]

the gays are coming! the gays are coming!

[revtj]

Jamie or Jeff or whomever...

Can you enlighten us as to the Letter of Agreement Covenant asked SF to sign ? Was Marshall's relating of that process fairly stated?

[nmwolfboy]

5. Will students be safe?

So long as they aren't glbt themselves, apparently so. That presumably goes doubly for college faculty & staff. Most importantly, the college's policies will be kept safe.

Revtj, i believe you're correct. The subtext of this letter is about protecting college donations.

i'm frequently amazed at how frightened supposed faith-based authorities can get when they're confronted with the gays that are at the door or in their midst. i mean, if they really do believe what they say they believe, where is the courage of their convictions? Where is the faith? Where is Christ's love?

[revtj]

Yeah, I think it's money 1st, their version of Christ (who is captured perfectly for them in the Westminster Confession of Faith) whenever...

I got my Annual Report from the president of Covenant a few weeks ago and wanted to vomit when I saw Archer Daniels Midland is a major donor. There was even "testimony" from an ADM corporate exec about his born-again life. You know, like the Enron guy who thanked Jesus Christ after his trial...ADMs' corruption, tax evasion, and pure screw-the-consumer greed is well-documented and known. Just google it for hours of capitalism gone awry...repugnant!

Suffice it to say, I have realized for some time now that Covenant College, with it's $137 million endowment, cannot worship Christ and mammon. We all know who usually wins that contest...

[scorpiogirl]

Number 5 kills me....it's like they think the riders are coming to convert the students or something!

[scorpiogirl]

Originally Posted by davidcom

I believe the word they use is "recruit" They are afraid the riders will "recruit" them to the "life style"

Ugh...people and their strange logic never cease to amaze me!

[Daniel]

Hello Coveant College! Gay people are everywhere. As a graduate of Evangel College, I personally know of 8 gay men who were members of the concert choir there during my time in school and would lay odds that you have your share of gay persons in you own music program.

God loves his gay children. They are blessed as you are blessed.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by davidcom

There he goes "recruiting" tenors for the Gay Men's Chorus! These Homos are all the same !!

Recruiting? I wish!

When I was in school I might have been in a convent! Though it was interesting to learn, after I found myself in touch this past year with 4 former classmates of Evangel's Concert Choir (odd that.....all of us getting in touch during the same period after so many years), that they were doing their share of 'recruiting' when in school.

[revtj]

Actually I am looking for something to post on the Covenant College alum website...

Does anybody remember a poster from maybe 10 yrs ago that began with the word "Because..." and then it listed many reasons to support gay rights?

I think it was modeled after an earlier statement on women's equality.

It said many things like "...if we are in relationships we are promiscuous but if we ask for marriage equality we are asking for 'special rights,' etc.

I googled for over an hour but can't find it. I had it in post card form but have no idea where it is now.

Any old geezers like me out there who remember it & can get the text to me?

[revtj]

SEE ABOVE POST...Does anybody remember a poster from maybe 10 yrs ago that began with the word "Because..." and then it listed many reasons to support gay rights?

I am starting to feel like an out-of-the-loop old man, here!

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by revtj

SEE ABOVE POST...Does anybody remember a poster from maybe 10 yrs ago that began with the word "Because..." and then it listed many reasons to support gay rights?

I am starting to feel like an out-of-the-loop old man, here!

Dear TJ: I don't remember the poster, but I do have a really excellent piece on how homophobia hurts straight folks, that may be of some help in responding. Kara

TEN WAYS HOMOPHOBIA AFFECTS STRAIGHT PEOPLE


1. Homophobia forces us to act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine"
if we are a woman. This limits our individuality and self-
expression.


2. Homophobia puts pressure on straight people to act aggressively
and angrily towards LGBTQ people.


3. Homophobia makes it hard to be close friends with someone of the
same sex.

4. Homophobia often strains family and community relationships.


5. Homophobia causes youth to become sexually active before they are
ready in order to prove they are "normal." This can lead to an
increase in unwanted pregnancies and STDs.


6. Homophobia prevents vital information on sex and sexuality to be
taught in schools. Without this information, youth are putting
themselves at a greater risk for HIV and other STDs.


7. Homophobia can be used to hurt a straight person if they "appear
to be gay."


8. Homophobia makes it hard for straight people and LGBTQ people to
be friends.


9. Homophobia along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. makes it
hard to put an end to AIDS.


10. Homophobia makes it hard to appreciate true diversity and the
unique traits that are not mainstream or "normal."

[revtj]

Thanks, Kara!

[revtj]

BECAUSE...

Gay men and lesbians are discriminated against in housing and

employment

AND because how we act is more important than who we are

AND if we get harassed it's our problem

AND if we get attacked we provoked it

AND if we raise our voices we're flaunting ourselves

AND if we enjoy sex we're perverts

AND if we have AIDS we deserve it

AND if we march with pride we're recruiting children

AND if we want or have children we're unfit parents

AND if we stand up for our rights we're overstepping our boundaries

AND because we are forced constantly to question our own worth as human beings

AND if we don't have a relationship with someone of the opposite sex we haven't given it a chance

AND if we have a relationship with someone of the same sex it is not recognized

AND we are told our love is not "real"

AND if we come out of the closet we're just going through a phase

AND because lesbian and gay history is virtually absent from literature

AND because homophobia is sanctioned by the courts

AND....for lots and lots of other reasons,

I AM A PART OF THE LESBIAN & GAY CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

[revtj]

I've stopped posting on Covenant's alum website because it's useless. But I have something to get off my chest, so can I share it with you here?

On the Covenant website, many alums are criticizing any analogy between gay civil rights and African American civil rights. The threads are full of sarcasm and bitter analogies that essentially mock Soulforce and our quest through the Equality Rides. One snappy poster has started emailing Equality Riders, making "friends" with them, and then posting what she sees as the non-biblical and ridiculous ideas they are sharing with her.

This same person threatened me with violence on the alum blog and I reported it to the police on Lookout Mountain.

So, in the interest of letting me blow off some steam, here's what I can't say to her...

You want credit because you talk to gay people? Because you like some of them and even exchange emails with them?

We had a Black maid when I was growing up in the Deep South. We loved her dearly. But I was taught, and the whole community believed she was inferior. Many of her own people accepted that they were inferior. It was a Christian assumption and many people used the bible to defend it. I didn't know any better because I was a child and it would be in college that I would question segregation & Jim Crow.

Gay people are telling you we won't be your pets any more. It is not true that you can say you love us and still deny equality under the law to us. We don't care what you find in the bible, we want full citizenship, no more Jim Crow, no more, "you're disordered but I like you" crap.

If you think I'm going to hell and you're not, then true love is NOT possible between us, unless you are Jesus Christ. Don't say you love someone you've condemned to hell. Be honest. You hate them because they won't be like you, do like you say, act like you want them to act.

Stop making "friends" with us so you can gather information to mock us with, prove us not christian or not biblical. It's insincere and it certainly isn't love.

There. I feel better. Thank you.

[keltic63]

revtj, have you been able to contact the ERiders and let them know that this person is using their email communications to ridicule them on the covenant alum website?

[revtj]

No, I haven't. My emails to Joey & Jarret haven't been answered yet. Undoubtedly they are very preoccupied. I don't know for sure who this person is emailing, there's no telling...I am still planning to go up there with them on April 2nd. Also we're having a big fundraiser for them when they pass through Atlanta on their way back from B'ham. I am praying so much for them, I think about them constantly...

[revtj]

In a conference call with Jarret and Joey I was told that initially Covenant's president welcomed them without qualification to come to the campus. He then passed the matter on to administrative staff, including the alumni director. They had several more phone conversations and later added restrictions to where the Riders could go and what they could do; when the Riders resisted this, they were told they would be arrested. Then, the alum director released the letter I posted above, not admitting that the decision to arrest them has already been made. I don't think any students at Covenant realize the decision to arrest has already been made.

I know the College well enough to know they feared losing money from donors. Any hospitality at all to a group like Soulforce would get them in trouble with some of their far-right wealthy constituents. I love the place, but I can tell you, they serve God and mammon, and they do it fabulously.

There has been a lot of conversation on campus apparently, including a campus wide meeting and an editorial from the student government in their school newspaper, The Bagpipe. I think it is fair to say the students are divided, with the majority preferring to just let Soulforce come visit.

I cannot tell you exactly why they Riders refused the restrictions that were later placed on them. All I know is that Covenant's administration played it up that Riders would be going in the dorms, lurking in the showers, and going around in the gym locker room. The ewww factor works very well as we all know.

The major problem to be faced at Covenant is that it is on top of a mountain, Lookout Mountain. There are almost NO shoulders on the roads, just cliffs and drop-offs. So, if the bus doesn't pull into the campus parking lot, it will be dangerous if not impossible to park on the side of the road. I assume they plan to pull in the parking lot out of necessity.

[tdogg]

Originally Posted by revtj

On the Covenant website, many alums are criticizing any analogy between gay civil rights and African American civil rights. The threads are full of sarcasm and bitter analogies that essentially mock Soulforce and our quest through the Equality Rides.
There was a day when they would have mocked African American civil rights efforts in the name of God. They just forget about that day.

If you think I'm going to hell and you're not, then true love is NOT possible between us, unless you are Jesus Christ. Don't say you love someone you've condemned to hell. Be honest. You hate them because they won't be like you, do like you say, act like you want them to act.
Stop making "friends" with us so you can gather information to mock us with, prove us not christian or not biblical. It's insincere and it certainly isn't love.
Amen and Amen!

So, it comes down to the money once again - the prospect of losing donor funds. Seems like a common fear amongst those who consider themselves the "fundamental christian right". Can't risk losing the money.