Gay-straight club would counter college's mission
Nathan Britton
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Opinion
I am greatly concerned about the prospect of starting a gay-straight club in any form at Hillsdale College. The recent article in The Collegian concerning this issue failed to deal with the inherent problems harboring beneath Mr. Morgan's desire for a gay-straight club.
The existence of such a club would run counter to the mission and purpose of Hillsdale College and thus open a dangerous gate that grants access to a frightful path of destruction.
The reality of my concern is made evident by what gay-straight clubs promote in contrast to what Hillsdale College seeks to promote. A quick read of the gay-straight alliance's mission statement reveals that they seek to teach "about homophobia and other oppressions, educate the school community about homophobia, gender identity and sexual orientation issues, and fight discrimination, harassment and violence in schools." Basically, gay-straight clubs are designed to promote homosexuality as a positive good.
Mr. Morgan apparently believes that such a view is compatible with our campus because the Hillsdale College "mission statement talks about self-government and liberty of the soul, and you can only have that through self-actualization and being unhindered in expression."
Mr. Morgan, however, has a fundamental misunderstanding of the Hillsdale College mission statement. The mission statement declares that Hillsdale College seeks "to furnish all persons who wish . . . and [seeks] to combine with this such moral and social instruction as will best develop the minds and improve the hearts of its pupils." A gay-straight club would violate the desire of the mission statement by promoting a lifestyle that does not develop the mind, nor improve the heart.
Homosexuality is a lifestyle that is completely opposed to the eternal principles that Hillsdale College strongly seeks to inculcate in her students. For homosexuality perverts the natural design of the human body and, in doing so, runs counter to the purpose or being of the body. The problem with misusing or not fulfilling the purpose of the body is magnified in light of the argument postulated by Thomas Aquinas that the good and the being are convertible terms.
The existence of such a club would run counter to the mission and purpose of Hillsdale College and thus open a dangerous gate that grants access to a frightful path of destruction.
The reality of my concern is made evident by what gay-straight clubs promote in contrast to what Hillsdale College seeks to promote. A quick read of the gay-straight alliance's mission statement reveals that they seek to teach "about homophobia and other oppressions, educate the school community about homophobia, gender identity and sexual orientation issues, and fight discrimination, harassment and violence in schools." Basically, gay-straight clubs are designed to promote homosexuality as a positive good.
Mr. Morgan apparently believes that such a view is compatible with our campus because the Hillsdale College "mission statement talks about self-government and liberty of the soul, and you can only have that through self-actualization and being unhindered in expression."
Mr. Morgan, however, has a fundamental misunderstanding of the Hillsdale College mission statement. The mission statement declares that Hillsdale College seeks "to furnish all persons who wish . . . and [seeks] to combine with this such moral and social instruction as will best develop the minds and improve the hearts of its pupils." A gay-straight club would violate the desire of the mission statement by promoting a lifestyle that does not develop the mind, nor improve the heart.
Homosexuality is a lifestyle that is completely opposed to the eternal principles that Hillsdale College strongly seeks to inculcate in her students. For homosexuality perverts the natural design of the human body and, in doing so, runs counter to the purpose or being of the body. The problem with misusing or not fulfilling the purpose of the body is magnified in light of the argument postulated by Thomas Aquinas that the good and the being are convertible terms.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 21
Ghostface
posted 4/09/09 @ 1:22 PM EST
There are so many things wrong with your logic here I don't even know where to begin. First, a quote:
"A quick read of the gay-straight alliance's mission statement reveals that they seek to teach 'about homophobia and other oppressions, educate the school community about homophobia, gender identity and sexual orientation issues, and fight discrimination, harassment and violence in schools. (Continued…)
Nick
posted 4/09/09 @ 2:15 PM EST
I respect Mr. Britton's opinions on the subject of a Gay-Straight Alliance on campus. However I think that there are a few problems with what he's saying. (Continued…)
LL
posted 4/09/09 @ 3:38 PM EST
Bravo, Mr Britton, Bravo!
John
posted 4/09/09 @ 6:29 PM EST
I would just like to say that God loves all people according to the bible, it is the act of the sin in which God does not like. And the bible also teaches us all sins are equal. (Continued…)
Skylar
posted 4/09/09 @ 7:45 PM EST
Hmmm... This is a rather conservative college for a homosexual/straight club. I have heard that President Arnn is worried about the direction the college is going and if it is staying true to its mission statement. (Continued…)
potrero
posted 4/09/09 @ 9:56 PM EST
wow, obviously hillsdale is not about having an open mind or heart but rather to spew hatred in the name of religion especially one that has as its core principle love for all. (Continued…)
Jeff Wysong
posted 4/09/09 @ 10:51 PM EST
Dear Ghostface,
I fail to see how you adequately support your claims about Mr. Britton's article. First, you quote Mr. Britton that "gay-straight clubs are designed to promote homosexuality as a positive good," but you write that you "don't see how this is a 'negative' thing. (Continued…)
kraM
kraM
posted 4/10/09 @ 12:38 AM EST
Mr. Britton makes an accurate and reasoned argument for his views, something which most of those leaving comments would do well to study. The truth is that organizations such as are described in his article seek propagation of their own ideals rather than to engage in intelligent discussion concerning homosexual issues. (Continued…)
Dude
posted 4/10/09 @ 12:45 AM EST
I'm sorry, but this makes me sick. Who cares how the groups portrays homosexuality?! There is nothing in the mission statement that says, "We will suppress the opinions of anyone who does not agree with the majority of the campus". (Continued…)
Seriously
posted 4/10/09 @ 10:25 AM EST
"You're discriminating against us by not letting us discriminate!" That's about it, right?
I say we don't allow Christians to purchase alcohol, order meat dishes on Fridays, gamble, etc. (Continued…)
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