An evangelical school in Pasadena, California called Fuller Theological Seminary is reportedly debating rules changes to be more open and accommodating to LGBT students and faculty.
Allegedly, students found to be in a same-sex union could face expulsion if this fact was found out by school authorities. According to the Associated Press, the board is currently considering adopting standards to make Fuller more welcoming to Christians with diverse views on sexuality.
Proposed Revisions
The AP cites a draft of the rule proposal changes which is dated April 3.
This draft states “that there are thoughtful Christians and churches that have different interpretations. Therefore, we expect all members of this global, evangelical, and ecumenical seminary student and learner community to live with integrity consistent to the Christian communities to which they belong.”
Potential Consequences
Pastor Ruth Schmidt, who identifies as queer, was fired for refusing to sign sexual standards by the seminary. Schmidt is looking forward to the acceptance of queer students but also worries about the backlash.
“But if this passes, that means queer students can set foot on campus without fear of being expelled. It’s going to be life changing for them,” said Schmidt. “We’ll probably see staff members and faculty quit over this. It’s going to be a long journey of education and empathy before staff have that same protection.”
Uncharted Territory
John Hawthorne, a retired professor and expert on Christian colleges told AP that Fuller’s move could make it the first evangelical seminary to adopt diverse standards of sexuality for Christians.
“It’s a bold step for a school that fought off lawsuits on this very issue a few years ago,” said Hawthorne.
Third Space
According to the AP, there are several current and former students and faculty who are hopeful for this move.
In their view, Fuller would exist as a “third space” for Christians who have different views on sexuality and could seek refuge in a landscape that has seen an increasing number of politically polarized arguments that make them feel unsafe.
Previous Lawsuits
This move could be a reversal from the position Fuller held just a few short years ago. In 2019 and 2020, former students sued Fuller for allegedly being expelled for same-sex marriages.
However, a court in October 2020 upheld the right of the seminary to enforce a sexual standards policy that prohibits “homosexual forms of explicit sexual conduct.”
Conservative Blowback
If the board approves the revised rule changes seen by the Associated Press, Hawthorne is concerned about the potential negative reaction from more conservative Christians.
“I hope they have a plan on how to manage the aftermath, the storm, when it comes,” said Hawthorne.
Christian Culture War
The issue of same-sex marriage and couples has continued to divide America’s Christians, despite same-sex marriage being officially legalized in 2015.
In December, PBS reported that thousands of congregations had left the second-largest Christian protestant denomination, The United Methodist Church, in recent years over disagreements around LGBT members and clergy.
Largest Denominational Split
Adam Kemp, a PBS correspondent described what he has seen experts say in his reporting about the Christian division with LGBT issues.
“It’s been a long time coming, and what experts are saying, it’s the largest denominational split since the Civil War, basically. And it’s focused on LGBTQ inclusion, whether or not the UMC wants to have LGBTQ pastors or congregants or same-sex marriages within — in their congregation,” said Kemp.
Fracturing Christians
The issue of what to do about same-sex unions has been splintering many Christian churches and denominations, not just the UMC.
“A lot of denominations are in the position where you have to make a decision — you can’t be wishy-washy anymore,” said Ryan Burge, a specialist in religious demographics in January. “That’s the tension they’re facing: how to keep older conservatives in the fold while attracting younger people.”
Political Pressure
Last year, the PPRI released a report that found greater levels of acceptance were reported for LGBT rights, but there was also a growing polarization that mobilized people on both sides.
Around one in five Americans oppose laws that would protect against discrimination for members of the LGBT, and the PRRI found that nearly half of the adherents to ideologies of Christian nationalism reject nondiscrimination protections for the LGBT.
Acceptance of Christian Nationalism
A survey from last year found that more than half of Republicans support Christian nationalism ideas, saying that the country should be a strictly Christian nation.
21% of Republicans in the survey said they adhere to the ideals of Christian nationalism, while 33% said they sympathize with these views.
