A private university with a Christian affiliation and a reputation for conservatism walks a thin line between virtue and closed-mindedness.
Fortunately for Pepperdine recent events like Wednesday’s “Growing Up Gay in a Family of Faith” speaking engagement hosted by the School of Law have allowed the university to stay safely in the virtue zone while earnestly including its less-conservative and less-conventional members.
Efforts like this one though they may initially seem incongruous to the university’s image or mission statement effectively build up Pepperdine’s repertoire as a well-rounded faith-based institution of higher education.
Whether or not one condones homosexuality or appreciates its presence on campus – and it does have a presence on campus: one that is often ignored and unfairly marginalized – he or she should respect the principle of exposure to diversity.
The Graphic staff itself is divided on its opinions of homosexuality and its relation to Christianity and an academic atmosphere but those divisions do not preclude participation in and appreciation of events like these. The staff agreed that this event is a fitting and necessary addition to Pepperdine’s agenda.
The Pepperdine chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union opened eyes and opened minds Wednesday when it presented openly gay speakers who grew up in religious households.
Audience members were neither coerced nor accosted; they were simply exposed to stories whose themes may be considered unconventional – for the beginning of understanding is acknowledgement.
As students some of whom are Christians this staff values all avenues of search for truth and unity including events like the ACLU’s. Truth has nothing to fear from investigation and there is no harm in listening. To do otherwise would undermine the purpose of a scholarly lifestyle.
Lack of awareness and understanding severely hampers one’s personal and spiritual growth. Furthermore true academia cannot flourish or even survive without input from all members of the ideological spectrum.
Exposure to differing opinions is an integral part of the education process. To deny students such exposure or as a student to ignore opportunities to at least listen to various viewpoints is dangerously dogmatic.
At the same time Pepperdine University’s affiliation with the Church of Christ obligates it to a certain degree of biblical morality. That obligation can be a privilege contributing a general sense of spirituality to the classroom and a code of ethics to the education of students and faculty alike.
Education at Pepperdine gains conviction through its religious affiliation a unique characteristic among upper-crust institutions. However it can force difficult decisions and misunderstandings regarding the university’s image and purpose especially with controversial issues like homosexuality.
In the most traditional understandings of biblical scripture homosexuality is a sin. In the most basic interpretations of the Bible though unconditional love is a requisite tenet of a Christian faith.
This is the dichotomy in which Pepperdine University finds itself. The university is at a tipping point when it comes to its decisions on how to address homosexuality and it must eventually arrive at a stance fair to all members.
If it is going to serve and educate all of its parts equally Pepperdine must address the human struggles of all the minorities of which it is comprised; this includes the ones that may be considered immoral through its Christian lens.
Like absolute truth and morality compassion is an vital component of real Christianity. Pepperdine is equally as obligated to show compassion as it is to demonstrate morality.
Understanding the human aspect of this issue as encouraged through the “Growing Up Gay” presentation does not force either the university or its students to endorse homosexuality. The university’s belief in absolute truth will not wither as it openly discusses potentially difficult topics.
No one at Pepperdine is forced to accept anything as virtuous as a matter of course but they all are called to mutual respect and understanding. These are the things that maintain Pepperdine’s virtue and liberate it from perceived closed-mindedness.
There are gay people at Pepperdine; there are Christian people at Pepperdine. There are those who claim and live both those lifestyles and those who claim neither. Because they all ostensibly share the same vision of the university mission statement there is nothing wrong with that diversity.
The Graphic celebrates that. The Graphic anticipates further efforts from the university to encourage unity and sensitivity as it continues to grow into its identity as a Christian institution with essential ties to both morality and compassion.