Dear Editor,
A peculiar trait of Houghton College is that it's too liberal for the conservatives and too conservative for the liberals. When I saw the question of the day in the November 12, 2009 Houghton Star: "Do you think homosexuality is appropriately addressed at Houghton?" my first thought was, "Here we go again!" This question was debated at Houghton when I was there in the early 1980s and there was no resolution. I doubt there will be resolution this time either.
Students at Houghton need to know that the bottom line for the Wesleyan Church is that "the practice of homosexuality is a sin, and even the propensity toward homosexuality is out of step with both the order of creation and the will of God." This is in a pamphlet called "Standing Firm" available at: http://www.wesleyan.org/bgs/faith-public-life. The pamphlet includes suggestions on how to minister to homosexuals (memorizing scripture as a way to avoid temptation!) and instructs parents to "carefully warn [their children] that homosexuals may attempt to take advantage of them."
It's devastating to be a gay youth and hear these statements from your church. The church asserts that who you are is wrong. Even thinking about being gay is wrong! Never mind that you've felt this way since you were seven. You may as well pray for God to change your eye color, or make you taller. Perhaps you'll try a homosexual conversion group like the Exodus Project. They are far more effective for the people sending you (Thank God! Joey's getting help!) than they will be for you. All you'll get is enough guilt to start your own religion.
Instead, if you happen to be gay and ‘struggling' at Houghton – stop struggling and embrace God's creation. Being gay is a small part of who you are – you're also a poet or a scientist or a basketball player or a musician. Find a church that is inclusive rather than exclusive (there are lots of them out there). Focus on the other parts of your life now and address your sexuality later. Start a campaign to rid the Houghton campus of mixed fiber clothing.
I'll close with one last observation. . .another article I read in the Star mentioned the reaction of students (mocking and derision) to the documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So…." I hoped that Houghton had come farther in twenty five years. Finding out that it hasn't, while not surprising, makes me profoundly sad to be an alumnus.
Jeff Kushkowski, Class of 1985
okfamjdk@yahoo.com
is a member of the 
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