Opinion | Letter to the Editor
To the Editor: University should act against group now
April 23, 2009 - 11:00pmTo the Editor:
Re: “Outcry Erupts from Alleged Homophobia: Gay student asked to step down from leadership post by Christian group,” News, April 23.
It was thoroughly appalling to read of the events surrounding Chris Donohoe’s ’09 forced withdrawal from leadership in the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship.
As a program registered with the University which feeds in part off of the student activity fee, Chi Alpha has no right to this blatant instance of discrimination. Per the article, Donohoe, a senior, has been a member of Chi Alpha since his first year at Cornell, and held a leadership position presumably due to his immense dedication to the fellowship. That the pastors would all but kick Donohoe out, disregarding of his passion for Chi Alpha’s purpose and simply because of his “choosing to be a homosexual,” is absurd.
And other members of Chi Alpha who’ve supported the decision?
“[I’m] still friends with Chris. I know a lot of people in Chi Alpha are ...”
Well, that’s big of you.
The first comment on the article’s online version, from “a parent,” suggests that since Donohoe isn’t what Chi Alpha stands for, that he should find another group “such as the gay groups that are in Ithaca.” How utterly tactless. And how representative of the whole situation. “Any person,” Cornell? Really?
I cannot express the level of my distaste should this University, diverse as can be, fail to take action against Chi Alpha and the Hermans.
Of Donohoe, a Chi Alphan said, “Homosexuality is considered a sin ... if you’re committing sins you will not enter the kingdom of God.” I am neither homosexual, nor markedly religious. But I do believe this: You don’t enter the kingdom of God by being callous and bigoted, either.
Matti Hart ’10
1st Amendment of Bill of Rights Protects Chi Alpha
Dear Reader,
I have been following this situation ever since it started and I have to say this event certainly brings out something that has been accepted and allowed for at Cornell ever since religious organizations or any other student organizations have existed. Every organization follows different beliefs and associations.
If you read the Supreme Court case of Boy Scouts of America v Dale, the court declares that the 1st amendment protects the Boy Scouts exclusion of a gay leader and in this case Chi Alpha has the right to not allow a gay leader to be a leader. The FACT that Chi alpha has allowed this gay student to remain a part of the organization goes along with Cornell's policies and the Student Assembly Charter and SAFC guidelines. By having a gay leader openly promote his beliefs to the group's members, it goes against the group's internal affairs and its "right to associate with others in pursuit of a wide variety of political, social, economic, educational, religious, and cultural ends."
As Christians they followed scripture and what Jesus has said. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat." (Luke 6:27-28, NIV) They are NOT hating on people who choose to have same gender partners, but rather loving them as God the Father loves all of children.
A taste of the world outside of Cornell has breached the bubble, and hopefully people will see that Christians believe in diversity and promote open hearts and open minds. However, their stances are firm and rooted in God and His word.
false logic
The previous comments from an alumnus/a state that Chi Alpha is
entitled to its own autonomy in its rules and processes. Indeed
this is true. However, Cornell is also entitled to its rules and
processes, and to whether to fund and endow its name to chartered
groups within it.
Chi Alpha cannot have it both ways. It must practice Cornell's
nondiscriminatory rules both de jure and de facto, or disaffiliate
with Cornell and refuse SAFC funding. In the latter case it
can continue and even enlarge its charming and antique
prejudices to its heart's content.
as soon as Cornell stops
as soon as Cornell stops receiving federal funds it can likewise attempt to enforce financial policy that discriminates against free religious exercise and freedom of association. you know those things in the Constitution.
Concerning the last
Concerning the last statement of this op-ed:
Christians believe that faith that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins is what is needed to enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, even if you are callous and bigoted, as long as you have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, you may enter the kingdom of God, though you will be judged on your actions by God later on. However, I have found that most Christians who truly believe Christ is the only way to heaven and is their Savior and Lord do not want to be callous and bigoted, which is contrary to Jesus' example in the New Testament. Rather, they choose to live as Jesus did: loving others, and at the same time standing up for what they believe in, despite the dissent and persecution that inevitably follows.