Politics

Christian university expels female student for marrying another woman

Scenes from a marriageWe have all been to college; we all know the drill. You play by the rules, or you pack your bags. You get caught using — or worse yet selling — drugs on campus, and you’re out. Steal tests or test answers, and you’re shown the exit. Marry somebody the same sex as you, and you can kiss your degree goodbye.

Let’s back up and have a closer look at that last offense, shall we? You read it right. Religion News Service reports that Christian Minard, 22, a student until recently at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Okla., was expelled after school administrators became aware of her marriage to another woman.

Minard and her partner, Kadyn Parks, were married in Albuquerque on March 17. On July 9, a letter addressed to Minard from Brad Davis, the university’s vice president of student life, arrived at her parents’ home, reading in part:

I was informed that you recently married someone of the same sex and saw a few pictures from Facebook. Of course, this is opposing to our view as an International Pentecostal Holiness denominational university as well as the Lifestyle Covenant that all students must agree and sign….

As an American and a Christian, I do respect your choice. [But] I have to uphold the Lifestyle Covenant at SCU and confront you with our position.

Due to this recent event, you will not be able to attend SCU in the future.

The covenant in question, which all incoming students must sign, is unequivocal. It states that students may be forced out for violating certain provisions, including prohibitions on “homosexual behavior,” harassment, sexual misconduct, pornography, alcohol, tobacco and other “sins.” It’s pretty straight-laced, but it’s not as though anyone is forced to attend this particular university.

Minard, who was one semester shy of satisfying requirements for a sports management degree, laments:

There isn’t a similar program at an area university, so I’d have to change my program of study. And, being one semester from graduation means I have taken all my electives. I’ll lose all those credits if I transfer.

Sucks to be her!

She also complains that the rules are applied inconsistently, telling station KFOR:

Students violate parts of that covenant all the time, but they don’t get expelled. I didn’t even get a hearing, just a letter to my parents.

Here she may have a legitimate beef, provided she can prove her claim. Then again, she did sign that pesky paper, agreeing to play by the university’s rules, which, like it or not, are protected by the First Amendment.

Lest you think you’ve heard the last of this sad tale, CNN offered up its own take, along with a video and sappy intro.

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