Dear Editor,
In January of 2015 I came back to Houghton after many long years away. I was, at first, shocked and disheartened at the size of the LGBT+ community here. But then something happened, I got to know some of them. A few became friends. I did some research and started reading my Bible. I found out that these people are some of the nicest, most loving people you could ever hope to meet. I realized that what I had been taught about homosexuality was wrong. I also realized that we, as Christians, have done these folks a disservice in making pariahs of them. I couldn’t help but think about how disappointed Jesus would be if he saw how we treated them. Are we not commanded to treat everyone with love, compassion, dignity, and respect?
Monday night I participated in the SGA meeting discussing changes to the Community Covenant. I was dismayed to see that the proposed language for change was even more exclusionary than before and blatantly discriminatory. I grew more and more concerned as the meeting went on. I could see tempers flaring on both sides. The person mediating the discussion did an admirable job of keeping things from getting out of hand but the underlying tension is what bothers me. While there were many fair questions asked on both sides of the issue I felt that the LGBT community was not being given a fair hearing. To be fair, there were some questions the LGBT community brought up that could have been viewed as accusatory and threatening.
Folks, this is not the way to do it. I came here because I needed a place where I could find peace after far too much time involved in the chaos of war. Instead, what I found was a town torn apart by discrimination and hatred. Good people beaten down and run out simply because they are different.
In a world full of chaos and hate, Houghton College should be a shining beacon of love and mutual respect. Instead we are falling into the same pit of wretchedness as the rest of the world. Jesus Christ commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He said “as you have done to the least of these, my brothers, so you have done to me” (Matthew 25:40) He showed true compassion and love to the people the Pharisees saw as beneath them. Should we not do the same? Should we not show Christ-like love and compassion to everyone, no matter how different they seem to us?
So I offer a challenge. Madam President, board of trustees, faculty and staff, fellow students: I challenge you to show the love of Christ to our LGBT+ community. Change the Community Covenant to be more inclusive of all walks of life. You don’t have to agree or even like it. What you do have to do is show the love and compassion we are commanded to show.
To the LGBT+ community I also offer a challenge. Be patient with us. This process will not happen overnight and it will not be easy. Work within the system for positive change. My brother once offered me a bit of advice that I now offer to all of you: “Take the high road. It is difficult to get there and hard to stay there, but the air is a lot clearer and you cannot beat the view!” Handle this with the grace, patience, and love you have all shown me as I grew and learned.
Blessings,
Christopher Cilento ‘19
