Daniel Jackson
Assistant Online Editor
In 2003, Rhea County banned all homosexuals from its borders. Fox News and CNN descended upon Dayton to cover the law, which was retracted soon after. Here a national issue once again touched Dayton. In order to provide context, Bryan College invited Exodus International to hold a seminar about homosexuality for Dayton and the Bryan community. Just last week, Bryan College asked the question again: what is the Christian response to homosexuality?
About 200 students gathered on Thursday, Nov. 9, to listen to a panel discussing the question—delineating several practical steps for students to follow. The Office of Worldview Formation hoped that the evening would inspire a public dialogue on homosexuality into the future.
In the question of homosexuality, all the panelists were in essential agreement. Dr. Dan Wilson of Harvest USA mid-south division, History professor Dr. Salvatore Musumeci, Director of Counseling and Soul Care Jonathan Doran and Bryan alumnus Mary Lokers spoke on the panel. Although they approached this issue from different angles, all assumed that the act of homosexuality was sinful and that a person could be attracted to the same sex while still being a Christian.
Although students could ask any question of the panel, the question of the evening was how to respond when someone told you they were homosexual. The panelists all agreed: the response came down to building relationship.
Lokers, who struggled with same-sex attraction for 16 years, said the best response is not a ready reply or a quick condemnation. Instead, it’s relationship. She said to ask the person about their struggle (because many people who come out have struggled with their sexuality, she said) and ask about their current difficulties.
Wilson followed up by saying the person should ask many “feeling” questions.
Later, Doran stressed the sensitivity non-homosexual people must use while using language. He said words like “gay,” “fag,” “queer,” are derogatory and akin to racial slurs. They tear down relationships instead of building them, he said.
Lokers said phases such as “well, I love you, just not your sin,” and “homosexual lifestyle” are not helpful.
This was the second time that Bryan College hosted The Couch. Andrew McPeak, coordinator for the Worldview Initiative, said The Couch is a discussion of tough issues facing Christians in the present time.
“This is step one,” he said.
McPeak said The Couch is there to address issues where we ask “What is our Christian call when the issue isn’t so clear?”
Following the couch, Bryan College is trying to approach the issue of homosexuality with other public opportunities. Next semester, chapel will discuss sex, singleness and marriage right around Valentine’s Day. The college is also offering several CLFs and classes on human sexuality.