Dear editor,
I attended Dr. Voddie Baucham’s recent lecture, “Gay Is Not The New Black.” I participated in the walk-out.
In regard to a discussion on his views, I wish to express one concern I have regarding civil rights. In the U.S., we have religious freedom (including the freedom not to believe in God) as outlined in the first and 14th amendments of the Constitution. This allows residents and citizens of our nation to freely make their religious decisions and lifestyle choices, so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others or pose a danger to others’ lives. Dr. Baucham’s interpretation of Christianity condemns same-sex marriage.
Not all people of this nation agree with this standpoint, and many hold other views on same-sex marriage. If your ideology or religious beliefs condemn same-sex relations, it is legal to practice that in your own home, and express your views in church, on a public forum or other public area. Forcing others to comply with your personal beliefs at the cost of their own civil liberties is where a line must be drawn. These articles of our Constitution were put in place to protect the rights of all citizens, and to outlaw same-sex marriage infringes on the constitutional rights of the LGBTQA community. The Supreme Court made its ruling on same-sex marriage in 2015 in order to better protect the rights of all American citizens.
I grew up as a Lutheran Christian. I do believe there are some beliefs from many religious doctrines that, while sometimes may need to be taken with a grain of salt, can be valuable. One I believe is self-evident is to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Especially, when others come from lifestyles you do not agree with or understand.
— Aaron Torres, guitarist and concerned UI student