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biola

Biola Queer Underground shakes up Christian college

On the same day President Obama became the first U.S. president to come out in support of same-sex marriage, a group of students announced the presence of the "Biola Queer Underground" at this small evangelical university, touching off a highly-charged debate about Christianity and homosexuality.

The group launched a website and posted flyers around the Biola University campus May 9 with the following message: "We want to bring to light the presence of the LGBTQ community at Biola. Despite what some may assume, there are Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, and Queers at Biola. We are Biola's students, alumni, employees, and fellow followers of Christ. We want to be treated with equality and respected as another facet of Biola's diversity."

The emergence of the group, whose members remain anonymous, has shaken this 104-year-old Christian college in Southern California. Like many schools rooted in evangelical Christianity, Biola has a code of standards that includes prohibitions on sex outside of marriage and same-sex relationships: Sex is "designed by God to be expressed solely within a marriage between a husband and wife," according to Biola's student handbook, which goes on to say that "sexual misconduct, depending on the facts and circumstances of each case will result in disciplinary action."

With debate raging over the group and its aims, Biola President Barry Corey told students that the school has no intention of changing its policy to "fit increasingly accepted ethical or moral norms. In particular, we don't need to modernize or bend our biblically based position on sexual ethics."

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  • Deep_Thinker

    A college has no right to limit the behavior of individuals outside of the college campus.

    Again, morality holds no value when done under compulsion and not as choice.

    Signing statements are a tool to manipulate and control. Contracts of behavior should be between the individual and God, not between the individual and the school.

    • BLESSED

      People have a right to do what they want and will be held accountable and to say they are christians . Jesus died for all sins and no sin will enter into heaven. No matter what we think the word of GOD has the finale say..ll sin will be judged and all will be found guilty or not.It is our choice heaven or hell…

    • mesaman

      You have heard of the term, "responsibility", have you not? A college does have the right to impose an honor code which extends beyond the campus boundaries. Have you read of a student being placed on suspension while waiting for the outcome of a charge of a felony crime committed off campus? Your rule only applies to you. It is immoral for you to impose your rules on others. Get it!

      • Deep_Thinker

        Signing something that states I will not do something, is different from having been charged with a felony, and then action is taken.

        It is immoral to impose your rules on others, so why should a school do it?

        It is not the schools job to enforce behavior outside of campus, but to teach it.

    • Ken

      If I'm one likes to have a glass of wine once in a while, and the church I'm thinking of joining makes all of its members sign a "no alcohol" pledge, then I have the option of either singing the pledge & giving up the glass of wine, or not joining that particular church.
      Insisting that the church change its policy purely on my behalf is not an option.

      I remember Biola as a fine Christian school from my younger days in southern California, I'm glad they haven't bought into the devel's compromise.

      • Evermyrtle

        I know without, a shadow of doubt that a glass of wine is not against GOD'S laws just so long as you can stop with one glass and not go on, until you are senseless. That is where the problem comes in, no self control, even though, I hate the idea of alcohol consumption, because of life's experiences.,

    • Winston

      Your statement and belief fortifies your unbelief in God. Why? Because God knows everything going on any place and any time. You can't hide from God…the sins you do in private…off campus.

      • Deep_Thinker

        Exactly, so why does a college need to have a signed statement from someone, saying that "When I am not being monitored by the college, I agree to abide by the colleges rules"?

    • petroskhan1262

      What kind of nonsensical opinion is that? Of course they have the right. It's a private institution, with no compulsion upon prospectives to attend. By applying to attend there, you agree to abide by their rules. If you don't like it, attend somewhere else. Free country.

      Or should rules only be enforced when YOU agree with them?

      • Deep_Thinker

        They can enforce the rules, on campus. What one does outside of campus is none of the colleges' business.

        • petroskhan1262

          That's great thinking there.

          By that (lack of) logic, then no college should be allowed to expel someone for anything one does off-campus.

          So, you commit a couple of rapes, a few burglaries, a couple of assaults, and get probation, so you're not in jail, and the college can't expel you because, hey, it occurred off-campus.

          Look, I understand that you're a liberal, with no moral compass at all, but try to understand that some people DO have morals, and wish to stand for something. The college wishes to represent the basic morality of Christian faith. On or off campus, a student represents the school, therefore should measure up to those standards. If the student finds this objectionable, the student should find another school, without such rules. Not too hard to do.

          • Deep_Thinker

            I am far from being a liberal, unless you mean a classical liberal, or what was once the republican "old right". I am a libertarian, which is basically the same thing as a classic liberal. I am not a RINO, like you must be, or a warmonger.

            Actually, a college can expel someone if they do those things, if they have signed a statement. But there is a difference between signing something that states "If I do something then…" and the statement " I promise not to do something…" The latter isn't a real contract, as there is no quid pro quo..

            "The student represents the school" – by that logic, the government can make us act any way it pleases since we all "represent America". And what if the government deemed that representing america meant a whole host of unchristian things.. I think you are treading down a slipper slope..

          • petroskhan1262

            Okay, I started getting a bit snide, so I guess I deserved that. Apologies. To continue on a less snarky note:

            It's a Christian college. That means they have guidelines they want followed. These students applied to this school knowing in advance that the school had this policy in place. To willingly become a student, knowing that you have no intention of abiding by the rules, is disingenuous at best, deliberately lying more likely. However one chooses to look at it, it is clearly dishonest on the part of the students.

            To expect the school to change to suit a small minority is ludicrous. The students should simply go to a school without such a policy.

          • Deep_Thinker

            I agree for the most part with you. A private college can choose what rules must be followed. But in the same sense, can the government tell you, that you can't talk with say, a specific group of people, while outside the United States? Is that morally right to control someone outside the private property borders (whether that be college or state)?

            If I am in Virginia, for example, can North Carolina determine my behavior?

            It's tricky, but there are too many issues with this. Enforcement, hearsay, etc… It's inviting problems rather than finding ways to solve them before they become problems.

          • petroskhan1262

            The whole issue here is choice. The student CHOSE to become members of the student body of a school that has these rules in place. They CHOSE to accept those rules. Now they claim that they don't have to follow them. The elected to become members, knowing full well what that membership entailed, and are now complaining about the requirements of membership.

            "If I am in Virginia, for example, can North Carolina determine my behavior?" Irrelevant, as you are not a member of the society of North Carolina, and have made no indications to NC that you wish to be. These students have made clear indications that they wish to be members of the "society" of Biola, but instead of adhering to rules which were in existence prior to their joining, they are now trying to get those rules changed.

            "It's inviting problems rather than finding ways to solve them before they become problems." Solving the issue before it becomes a problem is easy. Don't join any organization whose principles are not in line with your own. Don't try to change an organizations rules to suit yourself, when you voluntarily agreed to be a part of that very organization, knowing the rules beforehand.

          • DrProTruth

            How is it that you call yourself a "Deep_Thinker" and yet you cannot comprehend the difference between qovernment run institutions and privately owned institutions? It appears either you need to begin to think deeper, or change your tagline!

    • lambsev

      The college has every right to run its affairs as it sees fit. If one does not like the way they operate one need not apply.

      You write: "morality holds no value when done under compulsion and not as choice." To turn a phrase, value is in the eye of the beholder. Of God's law, Paul wrote that it is good and holy. But why did we receive the law? To exposit the truth about sin and lead us to the Savior Jesus.

      The "Queer Underground" says: "We want to be treated with equality and respected as another facet of Biola’s diversity.” Yt the remain anonymous!

    • DrProTruth

      It appears "Deep_Thinker" is "No_Thinker" at at all!!

      Any private institution–whether academia, or business, or organization, or landlord et al–has the right to set its own standards and codes of conduct for persons choosing to attend, work, become a part of, or rent from. Contrary to liberal rhetoric, America is still a free country!

      Whether it is the person seeking an academic institution, or the person seeking employment, or the person seeking to join an organization, or the person seeking housing–the burden is on that person to either choose to abide by the institutions' rules or choose not to become a part of that institution!

      • Deep_Thinker

        Read the discussion before you post.

        The argument isn't whether a private institution can or not, it's whether they can control the behavior outside of their own private grounds.

        We still are a free people are we not?

        When I am in one state, I abide by that state's rules, not anothers.

        • DrProTruth

          Once again, again, No_Thinker, "any private institution has the right to set its own standards and codes of conduct for persons choosing to attend, work, become a part of, or rent from." That means that a private institution can stipulate that its attendees, employees, members, or renters i.e.: not chew tobacco, not go to bars, not mingle with thieves, or: eat at KFC on Fridays, attend church on Sunday, and participate in the institution's softball tournaments.

          It's the institution's free choice to set its own particular rules, and it's the priviate individual's free choice to attend, work, become a part of, or rent from that institution! That is what freedom of choice is all about! It respects the free choices of all!

        • DrProTruth

          Again, No_Thinker, if the first state has a law that states that you must abide be another state's law while you're there, then you are required to abide by the laws of both states in question.

          I don't know why this concept is so difficult for you to grasp!

      • Dionesius3

        DrPro- you are very much right in you assesment of Deep Inhaler (Thinker) he has one issue which he loves above all others and that is legalizing dope smoking.
        So remember the deep thoughts he has are first induced by his inhaling.

    • DrProTruth

      Speaking to your comment, "morality holds no value when done under cumpulsion and not as a choice," No_Thinker, morality simply has nothing whatsoever to do with choice or compulsion. Morality is where a standard sets the behavior of an individual or a society; a more is where the bahavior sets the standard of an individual or a society. Thus, morality is a set standard that never changes, and the more changes with every new thought that an individual or a society encounters and embraces as their new standard.

      One is not under compulsion to behave in a moral fashion–that person is free to choose how he or she will behave, but what that person chooses does not alter morality, for morality is what it is.

      Our society is on such a decline as mores have been setting our standard for nearly fifty years now, thus we virtually have no moral compass whatsoever.

    • LouiseCA

      They have every right to invoke a code of moral conduct. They are a Christian university.

    • http://www.gethsemane-care.com Rev. Greg Robertson

      ". . . morality holds no value when done under compulsion and not as choice." That is one of the most absurd statements of the decade. If a person is compelled not to murder, under the threat of execution, that person will prevent himself from being executed by choosing not to murder. Also there will be one less murdered person and one less group of family and friends grieving the tragic loss of their loved one or friend. There is value in that! Homosexual behavior has many consequences. Being compelled to stop the behavior is a good thing. The Bible Institute of Los Angeles should never compromise on the clear message of the Bible. Otherwise it should change its name to SIOLA — the Secular Institute of Los Angeles.

      • DrProTruth

        I could not agree more!

  • Evermyrtle

    Any Christian, anywhere in the world wants no law, except the laws that back up the laws, given to us by GOD and HIS SON JESUS.. JESUS was with GOD when HE created the world and when the laws were handed down, HE was part of all of that..

    The word "Christian" comes from CHRIST WITH "IANS" ADDED TO SPELL OUT "FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST AND HIS LAWS." There is no way around that.'

    A Christin school has the rights and teh duty, to make Christian laws applying to the school.

  • Marget

    A college has no right to limit the behavior of individuals outside of the college campus, but it sure had that right ON campus. Stand strong, Biola, and having done all, stand firm.

    • Evermyrtle

      Did the article say anything about off campus activities???

      • Evermyrtle

        The school does not have the right to run and rule your life away from the school, But they do have a right to dispel you if you break the laws of the land, outside of of their walls, or disgrace yourself in some way. Why? Because you behavior is reflected on the school.

  • aldotoo

    Sick sick First the president then the underground.
    Le 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
    Le 18:22* Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
    Ge 19:5* And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
    De 23:17* There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
    Jud 19:22* Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
    Ro 1:26* For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
    Ro 1:27* And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
    1Co 6:9* Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
    1Ti 1:10* For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
    Jude 7* Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

  • Paul

    The media leave out scripture and pit one against another by human reason, emotional response, political correctness, etc. Just take a stand on the Bible and let the chips fall where they may. We can love the sinner without loving the sin. Stand firm, Biola!

    • Evermyrtle

      The media is in the pocket of the liberals, what ever they say, media "do!" GOD and HIS rules is the last thing "on their list of do's!"

  • JPW

    No-o-o such 'thing' as same-sex marriage: "Calling a dog's tail a leg don't make it a leg" – Lincoln Same for 'gay' , i.e. (joyous) rights? – but .. rather rebellion – pure and simple. Again, no such 'thing' as a 'right' – to be wrong!! Christ teaches: "If the blind lead .." And surely! – the blind will attest to this?

  • Gordon

    Is it any wonder that the Biola gays claim to be "fellow Christians"? In their darkened minds and hearts they are, but the life-style they claim is not a lifestyle, not a choice, causes them to choose NOT to go to Heaven, which leaves the one other option which they do choose!

    • Winston

      There is NO ROOM for practicing or those accepting of homosexuality to be in Christianity. Pure and simple. Would you accept a child predator teach your children in school?

      • keyboardshark

        I agree Winston, and Scripture backs you up on this. Someone who has truly been born again will no longer continue to live an openly sinful life:

        "9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

        10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

        11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
        1 Corinthians 6 (King James Version)

  • Duke1CA

    The pro-LGBT movement has clearly become the front-line of the Culture War, replacing abortion. People who think that God smiles on their homosexual lifestyle are either self-conscious liars or delusional, pure and simple! I would have more respect for them if they simply admitted that they don't believe what the Bible teaches. While Christians must be more loving and supportive of those with same-sex tendencies who acknowledge that these desires are sinful and who are repentant and seeking sexual purity, those who defend their sexual perversion should not only be kicked out of Biola but also out of their churches, in line with I Cor 5:9-11. These people are phony Christians.

  • Rob

    Let us be wise and recognize what is happening. Once again the focus is being redirected as a tool to promote an LGBTQ agenda. This is in fact not so. Rather it is an exercise for freedom of choice. Biola has chosen to place certain parameters within their policies that aid in the preservation of the foundational faith of their establishment. Those who agree with these parameters and understand the benefit of such may choose to partner with the establishment in the furtherance of the establishments' mission statement. Those who disagree, either prior to enrollment or overtime after they have become better acquainted with the establishments' policies and feel they can no longer align with the overall goals of the establishment, have, by default, chosen to disengage themselves. Upon this decision those individuals have the freedom to leave the establishment and seek out one that would better align with their personal convictions. The freedom of choice has been established both by Biola and those who are proclaiming their LGBTQ affiliation, who have chosen not to align with the policies of the establishment. So why is the LGBTQ turning this into a fight when they have already made their decision? To once again blur the focus of the issue, which is simply freedom of choice. Instead they are attempting to create a virtual victimization agenda item that more so aids in the furtherance of their particular group. After all, why else would an individual knowingly adhere themselves to another individual if they knew upfront that the indivifuals' established values are grossly different from theirs and would result in a toxicicity that will fulfill no good purpose for either party, but to draw attention to their cause. Please, for all involved, let us rethink this reasoning.

  • Korean Vet Ray

    GOD'S word states, both both in the Old and the New Testament, that all sex outside of marriage is unacceptable to GOD, And they both teach that marriage is a union of one man and one woman for a lifetlme. BIOLA or any other private university certainly has the right to govern the code of conduct of their students and employees. Each of the students and the employees have the free choice either to stay and obey, or leave or be diciplined if found in disobedience.

  • Winston

    It is strongly suggested that Biola and all Christian colleges, theological schools, stand firmly on Godly principles and values…just as Shorter College has done. If the stated message is true “We want to bring to light the presence of the LGBTQ community at Biola. Despite what some may assume, there are Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, and Queers at Biola. We are Biola’s students, alumni, employees, and fellow followers of Christ. We want to be treated with equality and respected as another facet of Biola’s diversity", then all of those must be removed from the college immediately or the College will by inaction have violated God's warnings about "practicing and even accepting homosexuality" as a known sin and reap the whirlwind of God's wrath and judgment… and rightly so.

  • petroskhan1262

    This is laughable on so many levels.

    First and foremost, I would LOVE for one of these students to explain to me how you can call yourself a Christian when you are in clear violation of the laws of God, and that by choice, with full knowledge of the fact.

    If I were a student there, I would immediately start a petition to make sure that anyone who is a homosexual was expelled immediately. The school has rules, and these "underground" students knew those rules when they applied. That means that they applied there under false pretenses, with forethought and deliberation. They had the choice to attend another school which does not have the moral standards that Biola has instituted. Instead, they chose to lie, and now they want the rules changed? Nonsense, throw them out.

    Typical liberal horse manure. When confronted with morality, or standards, complain, and try to get them tossed out. In the minds of the liberal, everything is okay, as long you don't have values, morals, or standards.

    Tell all the underground perverts that Berkley would welcome them with open arms.

    • keyboardshark

      Exactly.

  • JDB ESQ

    Christian parents need to be concerned about sending your kids to Christian schools. There are too many Christian parents who send their creepy kids to a Christian school hoping they will get straightened out (no pun intended).

    There are plenty of weeds in the wheat fields of even the best Christian schools.

  • http://www.nosaintleftbehind.com David Broom

    Churches and Christian Institutions should enforce God's word on homosexuality, which is, it is a sin and an abomination to God. I applaud Biola for standing its ground on what is a biblical teaching. Times may change, but the word of God doesn't.

    • Evermyrtle

      Absolutely, we are either for HIM or against HIM. You can't be both.

  • lambsev

    To the sexual addicts, and homosexuals are just that: sexual addicts, the shame is so great and the effort to repent seems so far out of reach that homosexuals justify their behavior. They are pitiable. They have lost touch with reality and are often demon afflicted and oppressed. No one wants to go to hell, or would not if they believed what hell is for. So some gays become seek to believe and be saved. We ought not condemn them, for some other men and women seeking to believe are addicted to gossip, envy, lying, maliciousness, drugs and alcohol, tobacco, AND HETEROSEXUAL SIN.

    We need to teach our children what is sin and what is not, and we need to show them that ONLY those without sin may cast the first stone.

  • J.W.

    Sorry, I don't see how one can be LGBTQ and a follower of Christ at the same time. Romans 1 does not allow for it.

  • madmemere

    We must live as God commands US; if we do NOT follow Him, then we are NOT Christians!

  • Walt

    First anyone has the nature of man and capacity to be a fornicator or homosexual, etc. Now as a Christian who has been born of the will of God, we have a new nature. The new nature is to hate sin, and evil and to love the sinner. Is not the love of God poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Now we know that a spiritual man judges all things yet is judged by no one. Yes we are to judge a persons behavior, if we didn't there would never be opportunity to forgive someone who has sinned against you. Got to judge it as sin first, before you can forgive it. We are not to condemn, judging righteously and condeming are not the same. Revelation 21:8 says But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. The woman caught in adultery was told by Jesus neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. Would Jesus tell her that if it were not possible? You cannot practice sin on one hand and call yourself a Christian on the other.

  • Lewis H. Seaton III

    First of all, we really don't know that these people go to Biola. They're anonymous and simply say they do. Secondly, inasmuch as Jesus said that homosexuals (read "practicing") would not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, no amount of discussion is going to change that.
    Either these people are outsiders trying to cause trouble at Biola, or they are fraudulent students who lied on the personal testimony essay they wrote when they applied. If so, they should repent (as anyone who would come to Christ must) or be expelled.

  • bighoss

    Never in the history of civilization has such a small minority of deviants stirred up so much commotion.

  • Rick

    I have a question. If your children were adults and they wanted to have sexual relations with each other would that be ok? even if they were concenting adults? If a human wants to have sexual relations with animals is that ok?. If a parent wants to have sexual relations with a child and they both enjoy it, Is that ok? according to todays morals, who are you judge those people? Oh now we want to talk about morals. The Bible is clear. Sin is Sin, Homosexuality is SIN. I didn't right the Bible, I only try and obey it to the best of my ability. I'm not perfect either. As for Homosexuals claiming they were born this way. It may be true. The Bible say's we were born into sin. I desire to have a million dollars but I won't steal to get it. I have noticed millions of attractive woman. I won't sin to commit adultry. When mommy ask johnny if he is in the cookie jar and johnie replies" No" and commits a lie. Who taught him to lie? We have a sinful nature. That why we have a Christ who died for sins. Our rightousness is as filthy as dirty rags. Man will always seek to change God's inspired word to justify our Sins

    • http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

      Children and animals are unable to give informed consent. Without an ability to give such informed consent, it will always be wrong, for one party is preying on the other. Siblings have the problem with inbreeding and that is why mankind has adopted rules and laws against it.

      However, the bible, this bastion of morality, states that Abraham married his half sister Sarah. The god of the bible does not condemn them for this. Lot's two daughters conspired to inebriate and seduce their father. These are just a few of the instances of incest in the bible. Contrary to the belief that we get our morality from the biblical god and his "word" in the bible, the reality is that we have made our own decisions about what is right and wrong.

      • Rick

        So then do two wrongs make a right?

  • DrProTruth

    To "anonymous" – In theory, any state may choose to adopt any laws they choose, which would include–in theory–laws of other states.

    It's amazing that so many American citizens do not understand true freedom, and how free enterprise operates, whether micro or macro: freedom for individuals, organizations, corporations–yes, even states–to choose what ever laws or regulations they deem appropriate for their particular area ov oversight, and private citizens may choose to abide by these regulartions, or choose another domain underwhich to live. Of course, state laws and regulations may be voted in or out by whom the populace elects to represent their views or wishes.

    This is how micro and macro economics work–this is capitalism at work. Each individual or institution has the choice to operate under rules they deem appropriate, and private citizens have the choice to live under these rules or go somewhere else!

    • DrProTruth

      FWI to "anonymous" and "no-thinker" – Both of you would do well to read or watch the news. There are states like Michigan where Sharia Law is being adopted in pockets around the state, and states like Oklahoma that are grappling with Sharia Law, and then there are states like Kansas that are handily voting down Sharia Law.

      Sharia Law is not only law from another state, it is law that is altogether from another form of government.

      It appears the both of you should remediate to high school and take a course in Government again.

  • J. E.

    I don't see the 'shake up'. Some manipulative folks post an anonymous website. The President of the college says, 'no, thanks'. It's over. Sounds like good leadership to me.