Danisha Bethune
Reporter
Earlier this semester, a discussion on prejudice
in the freshman course College and Calling turned to the subject of
homosexuality.
In this class, Bertram Allen, chair, area of social learning and professor of
psychology, discussed Romans 2:1, which he paraphrased as saying that if we’ve
broken part of the law, we’ve broken all the law.
“That means all of us are, in fact, gays and lesbians. Therefore, we need to be
careful how we judge one another and we need to extend our grace to gays and
lesbians,” Allen said.
Allen went on to state that homosexuality was not the only issue to be discussed
in interpreting that verse.
His point was that all are sinners and that no matter what issues we struggle
with, we don’t have the right to label another’s sin as being worse than our
own. Allen said that he thought some students were upset by his comments.
The issue of homosexuality is prevalent in the world today. In the past month
both state and federal courts have debated civil rights in gay marriages.
On Nov. 18, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled to allow gay
marriages, and on Nov. 3 the first openly gay bishop was consecrated in the
Episcopal Church.
“This issue is not going to go away,” said Lori Mills, associate professor of
psychology.
And it’s an issue that will not go away at Milligan, either. The subject has
been considered from the counseling, ministerial and administrative viewpoints
by faculty and staff of the campus community.
Campus Minister Nathan Flora, Allen and Mills agree that, statistically, it is
probable that there are homosexuals within the Milligan community.
Mills acknowledges that Milligan is a small community, but said that many young
adults explore their identity, which includes their sexuality.
“I think there are people here that are dealing with that,” Mills said.
John Paul Abner, assistant professor of occupational therapy and psychology,
said that he is not aware of any homosexual students on campus.
“Do I believe that some people have exhibited homosexual behavior? Yes …
however, that doesn’t mean sexual orientation,” Abner said.
Counseling Perspective
Milligan offers counseling for students, and such sessions are confidential with
only a few exceptions.
“Confidentiality has limits,” Allen said. “I tell my clients in the beginning I
can ensure confidentiality unless several conditions are present. Unless you are
a threat to harm or kill somebody or yourself, I can assure that nothing will be
said to anyone about what we’re talking about.”
Besides Allen, Mills and Abner are the other counselors on campus. Mills is
currently on sabbatical and will return in January.
Mills said she has counseled at least one homosexual at Milligan in the past,
and Allen said he has also had experience counseling homosexuals.
“In my 25 years, I have only encountered one gay male but many gay female
(students),” Allen said. “I probably saw only one gay male because gay men, for
any reason, don’t like to talk about it.”
Abner said he has not counseled a homosexual client.
“My specialty is anxiety disorders, homosexuality is not my field; therefore, I
would refer them to someone else,” he said.
According to the American Psychological Association’s ethical standards,
counselors are required to follow the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and
Code of Conduct in which the unfair discrimination section states:
“In their work-related activities, (counselors) do not engage in unfair
discrimination based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture,
national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status,
or any basis proscribed by law.”
It is unethical for a counselor to try to change a client’s sexual orientation.
“I can’t do reorientation work because it's considered discrimination, according
to the APA’s ethical guidelines,” Abner said.
Allen said that as a counselor, he does not attempt to reform anybody.
“I will support them in what they do. I see (my clients) as competent,
intelligent and capable of making good decisions,” Allen said.
Biblical Perspective
Milligan must also look at homosexuality from a biblical and ministry
perspective, something that Flora has considered.
Flora said he has not counseled any homosexual students but he would be willing
to meet them.
Philip Kenneson, associate professor of theology and philosophy, said that
homosexuality as an issue changes when talking with people, not just about the
issue.
“We’re always talking about something called ‘the homosexuality issue,’ and best
I can tell, most Christians have had very few, if any conversations with people
who are gay and lesbian--many of whom consider themselves to be brothers and
sisters in Christ,” Kenneson said.
Kenneson said that when counseling students on serious issues, he tries to help
them to be honest with themselves, and consider God’s grace and Christian
discipleship.
Both Kenneson and Jeff Miller, assistant professor of Bible, try to counsel
students in areas where they specifically ask for help.
Miller said that if he was asked, he would share his opinion that homosexuality
is always depicted in a negative light when mentioned in the Bible.
His main goals in counseling someone on homosexuality would be to help him or
her interpret Scripture and assure the individual of God’s grace. Miller said
that for more serious counseling, he would direct the student to a professional.
Administrative Perspective
At Milligan, the issue of homosexuality must also be discussed from an
administrative perspective.
Mark Fox, vice president for student development, said that consequences
forsexual immorality violations could range from counseling to dismissal, as
outlined in the Student Handbook.
Academic Dean and Assistant Professor of Bible Mark Matson said that adultery,
premarital sex and homosexual activity would all “be equally viewed as
inappropriate (as sexual immorality violations).”
Acceptance on Campus
Mills, Abner and Flora agree that gay and lesbian students on campus would feel
somewhat uncomfortable here for a number of reasons, but they would hope that
the students would find the same grace from Milligan’s faculty and students that
heterosexual students receive.
Allen was not as optimistic in the idea of acceptance.
“Yes, (gays and lesbians would be welcomed on campus) as long as we don’t know
they are gay or lesbian,” Allen said.
However, Allen, Mills, Abner and Flora all agree that if homosexual students
attend Milligan, they enroll because they have the same goals as heterosexual
students--opportunity and a Christian education.
“There are a number of reasons (why gay and lesbian students would attend
Milligan),” Mills said. “If someone’s uncomfortable with that identity, this is
somewhere they might not be tempted or act on it. There are people who struggle
with that issue, but still want to learn about the Bible and have strong
Christian friends. They are like other students; they just have a different
struggle.”
Additional quotes and interviews provided by reporter Mary Stephens.