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Should private colleges deny recognition to campus religious groups that require their leaders to believe that homosexuality is a sin? You may offer your comments, and you may read a transcript of a live discussion, held Thursday, May 11, about a Christian-student group at Tufts University that faces a loss of recognition over the issue.
The most recent responses appear first
"An anonymous philosophy student writes: 'Christians have had a stranglehold on Western Civilization for 2,000 years' ..."
"Would a campus gay group allow an ex-gay to hold a leadership position?..."
"Thank you for your excellent coverage of the unfortunate conflicts at Middlebury and Tufts between gay Christians and the Christian fellowships,..."
"While I am forced to concur with the right of any private college to uphold its own ethical and moral standards,..."
"To mask the denial of human rights the rights to life itself, to full citizenship--to religious conservatives behind a mask of freedom of sexual licentious..."
"To mask the denial of human rights --the rights to life itself, to full citizenship--to gays and lesbians behind a mask..."
"Since this is an academic colloquy, I hope it will not be thought indecorous to suggest this discussion has become oversimplified and more rancorous than necessary..."
"In reply to Simmons's comment of yesterday, regarding the 'double standard': I think that's a little misleading..."
"...No one, absolutely no one... not a professor, not a lawyer, not a gay rights group, not a student government association, not our Congress or even our Supreme Court has the right to dictate to any religious group..."
"In last Thursday's live session with David French, the lawyer for the Tufts Christian Fellowship answered the following question from me:..."
"Thanks for the opportunity to comment on the issue..."
"Private institutions and organizations have a right to their beliefs and to limit their memberships according to those beliefs..."
"The University of Notre Dame recently placed its Women's Resource Center on probation for having 'value neutral' materials on abortion..."
"One of the issues which many seem to be confused about concerns the means by which the TCF, and other student groups at Tufts, selects leaders..."
"It seems that an easy solution to this problem in a democracy is to let any student join any club he or she desires to join..."
"From her comments it seems Catalano is leading people to believe that homosexuality is not expressly rebuked by the bible..."
"I'm a recent graduate of Williams College, now working on campus, and I am still involved in the Christian fellowship here..."
"The U.S. Constitution guarantees my right to the free exercise of my religion..."
"Although religious groups should have the right to believe whatever they choose on the issue of homosexuality,..."
"This debate has seemed to center on a concept of the desire for equal treatment and respect..."
"Freedom of religion is a right! You may not always believe what other religions believe,..."
"I have a great deal of respect for Hasidic Jews. This respect comes not from having followed that faith, but from an admiration for their following the Holiness Code in Leviticus to the letter..."
"This is an issue faced by our campus, the University of Southern California, as well..."
"From what I've read in the paper, the decision to take the money away from the Tufts Christian Fellowship..."
"The question of if and when free exercise claims trump other societal interests,..."
"I came to Tufts in 1986 as what some people term an agnostic..."
"Does funding of student 'faith' groups amount to the promotion of a particular faith?..."
"This is my second submission on this topic because I find the comments of various Christian 'victims' on this matter almost comical..."
"From a historical Biblical standpoint it can be argued that homosexuality is a sin..."
"Most campuses allow politically correct groups who have preconceived ideological beliefs..."
"The issue is not religion, it is regulation..."
"At the center of our cherished rights of freedom of expression and freedom of religion is the right of each individual to be grievously wrong..."
"Since religions are based on beliefs, every religious group is based on a certain set of beliefs..."
"Ms. Catalano should be allowed to run for office..."
"Should private colleges deny recognition to campus religious groups that bar gay students?..."
"If a student group wishes to be officially recognized and receive any accompanying privileges..."
"There is a trend of encouraging tolerance for differences between people and opinions except Christianity..."
"We must beware simplistic distinctions between 'religious' groups and other groups..."
"The issue is crystal clear. Groups have a clear right to define who they are and what they stand for..."
"Our Constitution allows free speech, but not discrimination..."
"I do not believe that we as educators should be involved in examining the religious beliefs of our students..."
"Christianity may be all inclusive, but this is hardly a compelling reason to allow a sexually active homosexual..."
"The only grounds upon which a private institution could deny recognition to any group..."
"It seems to be rather fuzzy thinking to rant on and on about various groups' abilities to define themselves in this situation..."
"Starting with the premise that all campus organizations have democratic processes for filling leadership positions, this should be a non-issue..."
"Although I believe firmly that God gave us all the right to choose our lifestyle, regardless of whether or not he says it is wrong,..."
"While several intelligent people have hit on the key aspects of this case, I still find it amusing that..."
"Any form of discrimination should be frowned upon. The Christian group should welcome all people..."
"Campus religious groups have a legal right to meet, organize, uphold and express commonly held views as any campus group..."
"A group is exclusionary by definition. Otherwise, it would be an 'all'..."
"It would seem to be fairly well settled now with the recent Supreme Court decision in Southworth..."
"In the interest of brevity, I cast my lot with Graham Michaels..."
"The Intervarsity Christian organization and other religious groups can hold whatever views they like..."
"Student organizations should have a mission and belief system..."
"A religious group that denies someone the opportunity to hold office or membership due to sexual orientation does not prevent that person from practicing, or even advocating, homosexuality..."
"I wonder about the intellectual honesty of people who promote inclusion by excluding groups..."
"While I support individual's rights to live however they want,..."
"Contrary to most religious beliefs, I strongly believe that homosexuality is not a chosen 'life-style.'..."
"The article states a religious objection because homosexuality is a sin..."
"Colleges (private or public) should not deny recognition to campus religious groups that bar gay students from holding leadership positions..."
"It is imperative that student organizations recognized by university administration and funded by student fees be open to all students on campus..."
"I make a distinction between homosexuality and homosexual practice..."
"The Bible is a document that has stood the test of time,..."
"Religious groups that teach bigotry through exclusion or other means of discrimination should not be recognized as a bonafide organization on any campus..."
"Should private colleges deny recognition to campus religious groups that bar gay students? Absolutely, yes..."
"Any institution that allows a campus organization to deny membership or leadership positions to gay students should be denied Federal Education funds..."
"It appears to me that every group on the face of the earth has the right to think and believe and choose - except Christians..."
"Bear in mind that most of these organizations don't bar gay students..."
"Whether one agrees with the doctrine of the religious group or not, that belief MUST be respected..."
"The Tufts Christian Fellowship is clearly at fault in this situation,..."
"Randall L. McCready writes: 'Would a Christian be allowed to serve on the leadership of a gay/lesbian organization if he/she disagreed with a foundational belief of the group that one is born gay/lesbian?'..."
"Of particular interest to me in this debate is the right of students to hold their leaders to different standards than members..."
"Should religious groups be allowed to deny membership to Gays and Lesbians? The answer is a qualified 'yes'..."
"There are scientists on college campuses who would like to prevent recognition of any group that promotes beliefs that aren't scientific..."
"This is not a religious issue, and it's not a gay issue either;..."
"Student groups provide many functions. Among other things, they increase the range of viewpoints advocated and the quality of advocacy..."
"I am a fees-paying student at a state university. I hold certain very strong beliefs and values..."
"It would violate the group's right to freedom of religion. The same laws that are geared to protect our freedoms as homosexuals also guarantee the right of freedom of religion..."
"Would a Christian be allowed to serve on the leadership of a gay/lesbian organization if he/she disagreed with a foundational belief of the group..."
"Christian groups have a right to determine the Christian doctrine which defines them..."
"Christian organizations should be able to ban 'practicing' gays and lesbians..."
"This is an issue about a religious group enforcing its interpretation of scripture..."
"This is of course a difficult issue. But it comes down to this-- what sort of community does a college want to foster?..."
"I think such a ban is outrageous. To make decisions or to formulate opinions about others based NOT on their individual merit,..."
"Discrimination is wrong. It is particularly invidious to see it perpetrated on a college or university campus..."
"The galloping egalitarianism of left-wing ideologues would have everyone up to their necks in damn near every counter-cultural or alternative lifestyle to come down the pike..."
"If a private institution is committed to inclusivity of ALL students, then of course a religious organization should be banned for not admitting GLBT students..."
"Does anyone contend that a private university could not refuse to sponsor (by use of the university's name or its money) an organization that excluded women or minorities?..."
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Copyright © 2000 by The Chronicle of Higher Education