The Chronicle: Colloquy: Responses

Regarding gay groups as problematic on campuses, (in response to David G. Whiteis) I did not mean to imply that gay groups are dangerous. However, they are perceived as dangerous by some parents of students who become gay while at University, just as new religions movements are perceived as dangerous by some parents whose children adopt a new faith.

I believe that gay groups have a right to exist and work on campus, as do new religious groups and most of the other groups I listed as sometimes problematic to some people.

The context of the comment was to prove that the Task Force's chairman was not telling the truth when he said that the Task Force was not focusing on religious groups. I listed groups which some people feel are problematic to show that the Task Force had ignored all groups except the religious ones.

The gay lifestyle question in relation to parents' attitudes brings up one of the things I want people to understand about new religions. When parents accept their adult child's decision to adopt a new religion, there is usually not much alienation between parent and child. But when the parent pressures the child to change his lifestyle choice, alienation does occur.

Meanwhile, the anti-"cult" movement preys on parents with horror stories of brainwashing and zombification much as the homo-phobic groups dehumanize gays. The Maryland task force was created by a lobbying campaign by these folks, who are to religious freedom what the most virulent homophobes are to gay rights.

: -- Dan Fefferman, International Coalition for Religious Freedom (posted 8/23, 9:35 a.m., E.D.T.)

previous response

next response

JOIN THE DEBATE

STEP 1: Your contact information (required)

Your name:

Your title & institution:

Your phone:

Your e-mail address:

STEP 2: Your comments

STEP 3: Submit!

Be sure to include your name and affiliation. Legitimate requests for anonymity will be honored.

The Chronicle maintains Colloquy as an open forum where readers can comment on issues. Submissions may be condensed or edited for clarity, but editing is kept to a minimum. We correct errors in spelling, punctuation, etc. In addition, we remove statements that have the potential to be libelous or to slander someone. In cases in which people make claims that could be libelous, we will remove the names of institutions and departments. But in those cases, we will not alter the ideas contained in the submissions.

Please read our privacy policy or our Colloquy help page if you have questions.

Check this box only if you would like this submission to be considered for publication as a letter to the editor in the printed Chronicle.