Equality Ride visits Bob Jones University; three arrested attempting to enter campus
by Matt | April 4th, 2007 |Quick Summary on the Action & Civil Disobedience: Today, 27 Equality Riders and numerous community members from the Greenville/Spartanburg, SC-area gathered in front of Bob Jones University in an attempt to speak and dialogue with students and members of the university community on issues of faith, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender and other issues important to LGBT Christians.
Three Riders were arrested attempting to enter campus and speak to students. The Riders delivered art work symbolic of the struggle LGBT persons go through when reconciling their faith, identities and lives and 57 theses written in the style of Martin Luther’s 95 theses were also delivered. The 57 theses outlined the Scriptural basis for a message of love, inclusion, acceptance and justice (excerpts):
Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Bob Jones University by the 2007 Equality Riders. Wherefore we request that those who are unable to be present and participate in this dialogue may do so by email or by phone.
In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, has commanded us to love one another (John 15:17).
2. This word can be understood to mean that the whole life of believers should be centered around that love (1 Corinthians 16:14).
3. Yet it means not only to love in thought and in word. There is no inward love which does not outwardly show in action (1 John 3:18).
4. We can learn from Scripture and from noted theologians, therefore, instructions on how to live out the agape love of God.
5. Before we know how to live out this love, we must understand it at its core.
(More of these theses will be posted later)
The Rev. Flip Benham and Operation Save America make a surprise appearance: Many of my regular blog readers can recount the NUMEROUS times I have written about Flip Benham (pictured right at the 2006 NC Pride Festival in Durham, NC) and the Concord/Charlotte, NC-based Operation Save America (www.operationsaveamerica.org). This time, however, Benham didn’t bring any huge signs, a bullhorn or his huge Ten Commandments tablets. Benham and his friends and family actually showed up to a park where the Riders and community members gathered before going to the Bob Jones campus. When asked his name, Flip politly obliged, but when asked if he belonged to any organization (I had already told the co-director who Flip is), he denied being involved in any organization and attempted to align himself with the South Carolina Equality Coalition. Katie then asked if any one of the Riders knew who Flip was and I then I politely spoke up, welcoming Flip and Operation Save America to our group. I made sure to make him know that we are a group which, through the message of Christ and His Gospel, loves and affirms and welcomes all persons. I told him that as long as he understood that, and his group understood that, then they would be welcome with us. Unfortunately, we had to ask them not to stand in our vigil line with us due to the possibility of something happening. Many of Flip’s group members and he himself stood near us… something that was neither good nor bad. In all honesty, with my experiences with Operation Save America, I was totally shocked that nothing out of line happened.
Bob Jones University offers lunch in a fake and insincere “hospitality”… At around noon, a Bob Jones University van pulled out of the campus and next to where the Riders were standing. Two men hopped out (probably students, as they looked about our age) and started to set up a table and set out boxed lunches with sandwiches, chips and sodas and water. Attached to each boxed lunch was a letter from Stephen Jones, President of the University. Each letter was addressed personally addressed to each Rider by name:
While we have not met personally, I want to let you know that I have asked the university family to join with me in praying for you.
Because this institution believes the Bible is clear about God’s view of homosexual practice, there is no room for dialogue. At the same time, the Bible speaks clearly about the boundaries for sexual expression, and heterosexual practices condemned by Scripture are similarly dealt with in our student handbook.
I would ask you to read our position of God’s viewpoint on sexual expression, even as I have read your appeal to the University. In the life of the one who names the name of Christ, obviously God’s voice speaks most authoritatively, and I trust you will be open to hearing His viewpoint even if it contradicts your own.
Please understand that the counter-protestors in front of the campus do not represent BJU and we did not encourage them to be present today. Any hateful name-calling does not represent BJU’s scriptural response.
Sincerely,
Stephen Jones
President
We did not take the lunch and eat it. Real hospitality would have been allowing us on campus to break bread and eat with students and other members of the University community. The offering of lunch to us as we stood in the sun on the edge of a busy highway was not hospitality… what it really constituted was a message that says “We’ll feed you but don’t you dare come on to our campus you dirty, dirty ho-mo-sex-uals.” The food was taken to a local homeless shelter.
More updates, including the press release, video and stuffs on the anti-gay protestors coming later this afternoon/early evening.
UPDATE: Press Release (6:30pm, 4/4/07):
Equality Riders Face Anti-Gay Protesters Outside Bob Jones University
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SOULFORCE PRESS RELEASE: April 4, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandy Daniels, East Bus Media Director
Cell: 612-715-6284, brandy@equalityride.com
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(Greensville, South Carolina) — Three young women were arrested today, on the anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., for walking onto the campus of Bob Jones University to engage students in dialogue. These individuals, part of the 2007 Soulforce Equality Ride Eastbound Bus, came to speak with students at the university about its discriminatory policy towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and the doctrine that sustains it.
Upon arrival to Bob Jones, Equality Riders were met with groups protesting their visit and message of inclusion for God’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children. Operation Save America, Truth Ministry, and Americans for Truth were three of the anti-gay groups present. Through bullhorns and homophobic signs, they loudly and forcefully spoke against the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
The Equality Riders arrested were Katie Higgins, 24, from Charleston, SC; Amanda Harris, 22, from Little Rock, AR; and Bronwen Tomb, 23, from New London, CT. These students were arrested as they attempted to walk on to campus to deliver artwork and a call for change to the campus.
Harris and Tomb both walked on campus carrying pieces of art representing the effects of homophobia in their lives. Higgins walked on after reading a document inspired by and formatted after Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, in which he brought to light the injustices of the church and called for change.
After Higgins’ arrest, Mandy Matthias, author of the document and coordinator for the visit to Bob Jones, finished the oration of the theses at the front gate of campus.
Bob Jones students were unable to speak with Equality Riders, but riders believe that they made an impact on the student body.
“As I was being arrested I could see hundreds of students looking over at us from the chapel, interested in what was happening. It is unfortunate that BJU administration was so quick to restrict the academic freedom on their campus that should be an integral part of the college experience,” said Katie Higgins, co-director for the 2007 Soulforce Equality Ride, east bus.
Bob Jones University is one of 32 Christian colleges and universities that Soulforce will visit as part of its second annual Soulforce Equality Ride, and the ninth visit on the eastbound route. The 2007 Equality Ride is a 2-month journey by bus that is taking 50 young adults on 2 distinct routes to schools that actively discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Bob Jones is a private Christian college located in Greenville, SC. In letters to individual Equality Riders dated April 4, president Stephen Jones reiterated that “the institution believes the Bible is clear about God’s view of homosexual practice” and that there is “no room for dialogue.”
Soulforce Q is the young adult division of Soulforce, a social justice organization that works to end political and religious oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For more information go to www.soulforce.org or www.equalityride.com.
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Links to news stories:
- WYFF Channel 4, NBC
- CBS Channel 7 (Video, visit homepage)
- FOX Carolina
Oh… and can someone PLEASE give the media some lessons on language? I do NOT live a “gay lifestyle” and we are not asking for acceptance of “gay practices.” Gosh.
11 Responses to “Equality Ride visits Bob Jones University; three arrested attempting to enter campus”
Bob Jones University had every right to deny entrance to its campus. As a private institution, it has rules about sexuality based very clearly off of Scripture. Though Soulforce may not agree to these rules, it has no right to demand a change. Students who come to the University are aware of the rules when they come and therefore, any discrimination they may feel is of their own choosing..no one forced them to come to BJU and sign that they understood the rules.
When i went to visit a very famous mosque in Istanbul, I was expected to cover my head. I am not a Muslim and didn’t particularly want to do it but out of respect for their religious beliefs, I did. Had I had an enormous problem with it, I could have refrained from touring the place. No one was forcing me to comply with the religious practices outside of the mosque but when I stepped on their turf, I was expected to do as they did..It’s a similar situation. Bob Jones is not forcing any beliefs on anyone, but on the campus there are rules that anyone coming there must abide by. If you don’t agree, you don’t come. Quite simple.
Every faith has its own belief system and set of values. Bob Jones follows the Bible and as a result does not permit sexual sin as outlined in the Scripture. Islam follows the Quran and does not permit a number of things: would Soulforce go into a mosque trying to convince devout Muslims that they should permit homosexuality? Even though Islam has stated for thousands of years that it is unacceptable? The idea is ludicrous. It flies in the face of the very tolerance that the GBLT community demands. As a result of our religious freedom, we should be allowed to have our beliefs without having to worry about various and sundry groups coming on our campuses (referring to both BJU and the other Universities that have refused “dialogue”) uninvited, pushing their particular beliefs.
Soulforce claims they want tolerance yet they are ironically extremely untolerant. What Soulforce wants is for everyone to agree with them and accept them regardless of other beliefs. Those of us who adhere to the Bible CANNOT change our stance on homosexuality. While we do not hate homosexuals (at least we shouldn’t…unfortunately there area those that do and they are wrong), we CANNOT accept their lifestyle because it is a sin according to the Bible.
Bob Jones University does not hate the GBLT community but as an institution with beliefs and rules that have been in place for 80 years now, it is not going to entertain what will inevitably turn into one sided “dialogue” (meaning Soulforce will talk but refuse to consider where the University is coming from).
I’m sorry to hear that the box lunches were seen as fake hospitality. I know for a fact that those who sent them were very sincere in their efforts to be hospitable and are extremely loving people who simply have a standard to maintain on their campus.
By Suzanne on Apr 4, 2007
One has to wonder why schools like BJU and others do not allow on campus. Are they afraid that after one day of hearing what we have to say, we will change the hearts and minds of students? If the school believes that their students are so strong in their beliefs, us coming on campus should not be an issue. College is about challenging your self and the students are not being challenged on this issue. They are being told one side of the issue.
GLBT students are silenced on these campuses and that is not conductive at all for the college experience. You can disagree, but the stories of thousands of GLBT students would say other wise.
You said that Soulforce would refuse to consider where the University is coming from. That would be impossible, unfortunately. GLBT people in the church have to hear all about the churches stance on them and often it is not good. We have heard where the University is coming from. It is preached to us from the church, school, friends, family and everywhere else. How often do churches invite a GLBT person in to talk about their experiences?
By Adam Britt (Rider) on Apr 4, 2007
If GLBT students want the “college experience” they have every right to choose a different institution to study at. Let me say again, prospective BJU students KNOW ahead of time what they are getting into and if they feel they will be discriminated against or somehow lose out on some part of a “college experience” they can go somewhere else. They have that option and that right.
My main point, which I will reiterate again, is that Bob Jones University is a private entity and is thus allowed whatever rules they wish.
Honestly, it really doesn’t matter what agenda you might have..inviting yourselves against the will of the institution and then trespassing after being told you are not permitted on the campus is ridiculous.
That would be like me walking into a fine dining establishment (with a dress code) demanding to wear flip flops b/c “they’re just being intolerant and they should allow me in so I can enlighten them on why I should be allowed to wear flip flops!”. Do you see my point? Whether I think flip flops are fine dining attire or not, the dress code stands and I will be asked to leave..and they have that right as a private establishment, regardless of how dumb I think that rule is.
BJU has the right to decide their rules and who will be allowed on their campus. You do not have the right to force yourselves onto that campus.
Lest you think I’m just a bitter Christian (which I’m not..I have LOTS of gay and lesbian friends who know my views and still get along with me fine), your “own” aren’t even in support of your actions as evidenced by the reader comments on this article: http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic/spa/news.apx.-content-articles-SPA-2007-04-04-0002.html
and this blog entry written by a GLBT supporter: http://www.prideandopinions.com/its-not-discrimination-its-common-sense/
Also, the arrests on BJU campus today were a joke at best. It’s already being leaked that you previously contacted the Greenville Police and asked to be handcuffed when you were arrested. Staging arrests to get your point across is just going to ruin any credibility you hope to have.
By Suzanne on Apr 4, 2007
Suzanne… I doubt this discussion in my comment thread on my blog is going to change your mind or our minds. I wish that we were talking face-to-face, so that I could give you my personal testimony, so that you might understand that this is an issue that is no where near being cut and dry (in regards to gay students choosing to go to other schools).
I had told this one thing to a professor of new testament theology at Covenant College and while he didn’t totally agree, he did agree that the church has some apologizing and fixing to do: Bob Jones has every right as a private institution to set its own rules. It does not, however, have any right whatsoever to use rules, regulations and doctrines to hurt and harm other individuals (the hurt and harm that comes with living a life that says God doesn’t love you, will never love you, you will never be worthy of his love, your family and society will never love you and you will spend an eternity in hell). This is spiritual violence that is one of the main causes of extreme anguish, depression and near-suicide as well as many completed suicides in the lives of LGBT teens and young adults.
And, we all know that not every student at Bob Jones and other religious institutions necessarily chose to go there on their own volition. I have spoken to many students while on the Equality Ride who have gone to these schools because they were forced to.
To your last comment about arrest… A criminal charge, a criminal fine and possible jail time, all of which we will be facing, is not a joke. Our police liaison requested that handcuffs be used because the Police, not us, wanted to make this into a light and trivial thing. Instead of hiding the fact that we were being arrested, we told the Police that we should be treated like any other person who is put under arrest (which includes wearing handcuffs).
As for “our own” disagreeing with us. Guess what Suzanne, “your own” Christians disagree with you on the subject of LGBT people. Just like not all Christians always agree, the same goes for gay people, white people, black people, Americans, Britons, Africans, Asians, etc. Just because you are a part of a group doesn’t mean all in that group must agree. Duh, common sense, right?
By Matt on Apr 5, 2007
I just want to make a point about something I learned in my Spanish class (while we weren’t learning Spanish).
My professor knew a USC-Upstate student from Korea who was in one of his classes. I don’t remember his name and he has since graduated. This student was confronted by administration at Bob Jones University, asking him to come to their school. They didn’t tell him anything about the school other than it was a good education.
He went to the school. He didn’t know the policies and wasn’t informed ahead of time about “what he was getting himself into.”
He later dropped out and transfered to USC-Upstate.
By Kel Henry on Apr 6, 2007
Suzanne is right in that this organization preaches tolerance yet shows none. You don’t agree with BJU? March on their campus, trespassing while doing so, and engage in “dialog” with students. I’ve seen the kinds of “dialog” that goes on. Group from BJU says something. The preachers of tolerance scream that they’re wrong, call them hatemongers, bigots, and what have you, in the hopes of bullying them into changing their minds.
I can just imagine the amount of bellyaching groups like this would generate if a Christian group came, uninvited and to, for the most part, they weren’t welcome, to a gay/lesbian group to tell them they were living a sinful life. They’d be called the usual “intolerant”, “homophobes” and so on and so forth.
If you want to go to Christian colleges and push your agenda then more power to you. Just don’t hide behind the “we just dialog” excuse because everyone knows that’s a fabrication. Just admit “hey, we don’t want people pushing beliefs on us but we sure don’t mind doing it to others” and more people will respect your position, because then it’d be based on truth.
By Sal on Apr 6, 2007
Sal… I encourage you to research into the two schools where we were allowed on campus: Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA, and Samford University in Birmingham, AL. In both instances, the day went well and at Dordt one pastor said it was “The most positive spiritual growth the campus had seen all year.”
By Matt on Apr 7, 2007
Honestly, I cannot believe how well the Soul Force equality ride went. It was absolutely amazing how the media responded and how our University as a whole responded. I thank God for the leadership He has placed over the school and for those around who prayed that God would do His will, which in His perfect providence He did. We as a student body prayed for the riders that were coming and so did faculty and staff. People even came into my workplace on campus and told us “We’re praying for you!” It was slightly amusing to me how soulforce thinks they made an impact because they saw “hundreds” of college students after chapel watching them. I was one of those students on the bridge and we were watching the pyscho anti-protestors, not you guys
We were embarassed for them! That’s no way to treat Soulforce no matter what their point was… they had almost no response from us (our day went on as normal, and most students didn’t care) and the lunches WERE an act of love. It’s too bad you couldn’t have heard our chapel sermons a few days earlier. Dr. Jones presented your side quite thoroughly (I read from your website why you believed certain Scripture didn’t condemn homosexuality as a sin). I studied it myself and I come to the same conclusions that God does view homosexuality as a sin. However, we should not put that sin as grosser than pride, stealing, adultery, etc. It’s something that’s very real and that some Christians struggle with. I know you don’t believe that way… but that is what the University as a whole and I myself believe. This is why we don’t need to hear your viewpoint from you. If students wish to know your viewpoint or are homosexual, then they can do so elsewhere… our concern here is our studies. As far as us not getting the full college experience… I sincerely doubt that would effect (affect?) my experience here 
I do live in the real world, believe it or not, when I’m outside of the “bubble.” Lets leave our differences there and once again, the response of the college and community was so awesome. Praise God 
By Jennifer on Apr 14, 2007
Congratulations, Steven Jones. The lunch was a kind gesture. If the preacher boys would share the gospel with these needy people, our God would be glorified. (Jack Eberle: 1953 and l955.)
By Jack and Melda Eberle on Apr 5, 2008