Open dialogue ... but not for Christians

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer …” (2 Timothy 2:15-17, NKJV).

Welcome to 2015, America, where disagreeing with people’s opinions means you hate them.

Campus Reform reported that the Graduate Queer Alliance (GQA) at the State University of New York at Stony Brook is a bit upset about a debate last month between Frank Turek, a Christian, and Michael Shermer, an atheist, on whether God or science explains morality. When homosexuality came up, Turek argued against it. We know what that means: “hate speech.” (Incidentally, arguing in the affirmative that God and science are not mutually exclusive would be a good debate topic.)

In an editorial published in the school’s student newspaper, the GQA claimed to support debate and encourage “open dialogue,” but “not all ideas are morally fungible. Some are, in fact, harmful, and at a liberal educational institution, injurious ideas are rightfully criticized and not given an unquestioned platform to be presented.”

I’d agree that not all ideas are “morally fungible.” For example, making a positive case for pedophilia or rape. But whether homosexuality is harmful to the person practicing it and/or to society in general is a different matter. In fact, Christian business owners are dealing with the harm right now as they face heavy fines and/or bankruptcy for refusing to celebrate homosexuality. Our religious freedom is at stake, a direct result of the gay lobby’s determination to punish (through government force) dissenters.

The GQA also didn’t like that Turek made a distinction between race and sexual behavior. One can choose not to engage in certain behavior, but you’ll never meet anyone who can change his race. A man of sub-Saharan-African descent can lighten his skin color, bleach his hair, and call himself white, but he’ll always be a man of sub-Saharan African descent.

The group insists it supports free speech, but not “homophobic” speech. One member told Campus Reform they aren’t demanding an apology from the school for hosting Turek, “rather we ask for an apology for hosting an incredibly controversial speaker in a manner that was hidden from the students, faculty, and staff of the university.” The GQA claims the school didn’t advertise the event to students. So if the school apologizes for this apparent faux pas, all will be well, right?

The GQA asked “the Offices of the President, the Dean of Students, the Graduate School and the University Senate to reiterate the university’s commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all students, especially LGBTQ* folks, to flourish and grow.”

But not for Christians who believe what God says about sin and dare to offer arguments in support of their position.

This is what we’re dealing with, fellow believers. But, as always, keep your eyes on the ultimate goal. Among today’s unrepentant are tomorrow’s spiritual brothers and sisters.