To the Editor:

Re: “Unfolding Nuance Concerning Jesus and Homosexuality,” Opinion, April 27.

Never did I think that the first piece I would write to The Sun would be a rebuttal on a column involving a religious issue because as the author of this column so readily points out, religion is a terribly divisive issue. So divisive that many people cringe at the idea of discussing it in public. So divisive that you would definitely stay away from it as dinner chat on a first date. Now, here on campus we are dealing with just how divisive it can be surrounding an issue like gay rights.

While I am not an atheist, I don’t normally jive too well with organized religion. We have issues and I got over this a long time ago. Somewhere between my Confirmation, 9th grade biology, history class and my first girlfriend, I realized that I just wasn’t buying what the Catholic Church was selling. I believe religion to be a more intensely personal relationship that involves you and what you believe to be a higher power. If you want to share this personal experience with others in worship, that is just fine. I simply choose not to. What I am not OK with, however, is statements such as this one: “Christianity actually destroys any ground for superiority because everyone is in the same boat. Consequently, no person is seen as more valuable than any other person, which extends to the realm of organizations, groups and politics. Therefore, stepping down from a leadership position is not considered a demotion since positions are not the source of a person’s value.”

Now re-read that last bit again. Are you really OK with that rationale?

If you are a practicing Christian is that how you view your religion? While I am sure the author did not intend for it to do so, taking a second to think about this quote leaves the door open for some very wacky interpretations of Christianity. This statement offers nothing more than a thinly veiled justification for discrimination. The author asks the fundamental questions of (1) “Is Christianity mutually exclusive?” and (2) “Is Christianity hateful?” Simply put: (1) It shouldn’t be and (2) no, but its statements like this that have the potential to greatly confuse that matter. It’s that simple, and look, no references to Christian theological philosophy. So if we are all equal and silly semantics like “leadership positions” don’t mean anything, why not just make all the students who look, act or think differently sit on the back of the bus? How could we possibly consider that forcing someone to occupy a certain place in something as inconsequential as a bus could possibly matter when our standing before God is all equal anyway. I’m sure they won’t mind. After all, it’s not a demotion since where you stand on a bus is not the source of a person’s value. Why not apply the same logic to lunch counters, water fountains or leadership positions in Christian societies? They all don’t matter, so it’s OK!

Let me make this perfectly clear, despite my personal feelings concerning the church, I don’t have qualms with the Christian faith. Jesus Christ was a wonderful man who did nothing but preach love, understanding and tolerance. I also don’t accuse the author of explicitly promoting discrimination through his faith. It’s just that his words are not too far, in my opinion, from some potentially very dangerous thinking. Using Christianity in this way to justify such an appalling act as dismissing Mr. Donohoe from his leadership position because of his sexuality.

While I do hope that the University does the right thing my ensuring this type of incident will never happen again, I have some questions for the author. Do you really think the man who told us to “love they neighbor as yourself” would condone this behavior? Would the prophet who taught forgiveness and was a true leader of men even as he died on the cross would support the decision to ostracize a Christian who goes beyond basic worship to actually take up a leadership role among his fellow Christians? I fail to see how this is “in accordance with Biblical teaching.”

The author admits himself that he struggles with looking for the satisfaction of the approval of others over Jesus. Is homosexuality somehow a greater sin than his? Why is that? He leads a Christian organization on campus. Perhaps with this admission, he should be asked to step down from his position so that a more righteous individual can take up the cause.

Nicholas DeVito ’10