Cumberlands President: We're Christian, So We're Hateful & Ignorant

Another report about the University of the Cumberlands student who administrators expelled because he is gay. While the college president spews bigotted rhetoric, using his religion to espouse his embracing of ignorant intolerance and hatred, the students there say the gay student is as Christian as anyone else — and the campus is suffering because of his absence.

Someone in this situation ought to ask, "What Would Jesus Do?," don't you think? Here's an answer that seems accurate to me:

Jacob Reitan, the co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride, which is touring universities and colleges that have anti-LGBT policies, took issue with the school's claim that it was enforcing its Christian beliefs.

"I don't think this is Christian to do this," Reitan said. "Jesus fought continually to get to know those people others would not. He was always about expanding the kingdom."

Baptist College Expels Gay Student

Monday, April 10, 2006 — The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., has kicked out a sophomore because he revealed he was gay on his MySpace.com page, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

Jason Johnson, 20, was expelled last week from the Baptist school, according to Larry Cockrum, the school's director of media relations. Johnson was majoring in theater arts.

"Everybody on campus is extremely upset about this," Jennifer Roberts, a Cumberlands senior, told the newspaper.

Roberts, who told the paper she is a close friend of Johnson, described him as honest and trustworthy.

"I would consider Jason a Christian because so many of his values are Christian," she said. "He embodies everything a friend should be. A lot of people are suffering because he is not here."

The university has a policy that says, "Any student who engages in or promotes sexual behavior not consistent with Christian principles (including sex outside marriage and homosexuality) may be suspended or asked to withdraw from the University of the Cumberlands."

"We are different by design, and are nonapologetic about our Christian beliefs," said university president Jim Taylor in a written statement.

Jacob Reitan, the co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride, which is touring universities and colleges that have anti-LGBT policies, took issue with the school's claim that it was enforcing its Christian beliefs.

"I don't think this is Christian to do this," Reitan said. "Jesus fought continually to get to know those people others would not. He was always about expanding the kingdom." — Christopher Curtis, PlanetOut Network