I came to Eastern University with the belief that most people would have the same, or at least very similar, views as my own. I went to high school in an area where my views and beliefs were very different from those of the community’s. I thought that Eastern was going to be a place where I could get away from all that, and it seemed for awhile that I was correct. I had found my place of refuge.
While walking to our fine Dining Commons, I was startled to see signs for an on-campus group called Refuge. I usually do not take the time to read the flyers that are constantly posted all around our campus, but there was a word on this flyer that caught my eye and made me want to read more: homosexuality.
Intrigued, I started to read more and was shocked to read that this was a gay straight alliance club that conducts its meetings on campus.
I could not believe it. How could a Christian school allow a homosexual club to exist on campus? If this were just a regular college that did not make its teachers make a declaration of faith, a college that would allow classes during its weekly chapel, or a college that did not have a prayer before almost every class then I would not care. But Eastern is not a regular college.
Reading my Bible for guidance, I found a verse that made me feel better, if only for about five minutes. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse was taken from the NIV version of the Bible. However, in other versions, the word “homosexual” is taken out of this verse. How can one Bible say directly that homosexuality is wrong, while others do not?
I do not believe that homosexuals cannot be Christians altogether. Homosexuals can be Christians if they are trying to turn away and stop their indulging behavior. I personally do not hate or promote the hating of homosexuals, but I cannot stand by and do nothing about this issue. We make Christ’s example a mockery if we stand by and fail to express compassion and, at the same time, urge repentance. Christ expressed compassion for the adulterer, but he also told her to “go and sin no more.”
I believe that homosexuality is a sin, and I wanted to believe that Refuge is a place where struggling homosexuals can go to get guidance about not practicing homosexuality, and that with the help of other Christians they could get through this problem, because that is what homosexuality is: a problem, just like any other sinful act that exists in this world.
I have only been to one Refuge meeting, but I feel that I have learned enough from their group to voice my opinion. In their first meeting, it was said that they want to fight for the legalization of gay marriage and homosexuals in the military, both of which in my opinion, should not be allowed. Unfortunately, Refuge is not a place to help correct homosexuality, but a place to promote it.
I recognize that college is a place that should encourage free thoughts and ideas, but I feel that a club that promotes sinful behavior should not be allowed on Eastern’s campus. If this is allowed what will be next? A club where drunkards can meet to drink and get drunk? A club where single people come to meet and have sex? I wish, hope, and pray that day will never come, but if we sit back and accept the “do whatever you feel like doing” mentality, then this campus will eventually crumble, and it will surely fall.