Posted on 07/13/2015 7:30:08 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Two Christian colleges located in states that had their same-sex marriage bans struck down by the United States Supreme Court's June 26 decision that nationally legalized same-sex marriage are offering employment benefits to legally recognized same-sex spouses of school employees.
The employment practices of Hope College, a small Reformed liberal arts school in Holland, Michigan, and the nondenominational Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, will both comply with their states' new legal definitions on marriage after the high court's ruling.
On Monday, Hope College President John Knapp sent an email to the Hope community explaining that while Hope will continue to offer benefits to spouses of employees recognized by the state, the Supreme Court's ruling has effectively changed the definition of marriages recognized by the state of Michigan to include same-sex couples.
Knapp explained that after consulting with members of the Hope community and other Christian educators, it was determined that it's in the best interest of the school to keep the same employment policy and extend benefits same-sex spouses recognized in Michigan.
"Spouses are eligible for benefits, so long as their marriage is legally recognized by the State of Michigan. This policy remains in place, meaning that a same-sex spouse of a Hope employee will now be eligible for benefits," Knapp wrote in his email, which was shared with The Christian Post. "This is a continuation of Hope's longstanding commitment to our employees' health and well-being, and a reminder that Hope is best served by recruiting and retaining people based on their ability to contribute to the life of the college and its Christian mission."
"We recognized early on that the Supreme Court was likely to issue a decision that would present new challenges for our college," Knapp's email continued. "After much prayer and consultation with our Board of Trustees, legal experts and others in Christian higher education, we determined that this continued policy serves the best interests of our college and campus community."
Knapp also explains that although the school will extend benefits to same-sex spouses, that does not mean the school will open use of the Dimnent Chapel for same-sex wedding ceremonies.
"Another response by the college to the recent Supreme Court ruling is a decision to follow the polity of the Reformed Church in America in the use of Dimnent Chapel for weddings," Knapp wrote. "To that end, Dimnent Chapel will continue to be reserved for wedding ceremonies that are consistent with the RCA's definition of marriage as 'a joyful covenanting between a man and a woman.' This respects our enduring affiliation with the RCA, a relationship that is also reflected in the Board of Trustees' Position Statement on Human Sexuality."
Although employees' same-sex spouses will now receive benefits from Hope college, Hope's statement on sexuality still states: "This biblical witness calls us to a life of chastity among the unmarried and the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman."
Knapp's email added that following the Supreme Court's ruling, there is still much left to debate on issues of sexuality. He stated that Hope will facilitate such dialogue in the fall.
"More than ever, this is a moment to engage one another in a spirit of love and respect," Knapp asserted. " I recently reviewed the early results from our Trust Index survey and found that Hope employees have a great desire for thoughtful and sincere conversation about challenging issues, including sexuality, where Scripture is taken seriously and we have confidence to express our opinions respectfully and while listening carefully. In the fall, we will provide opportunities for such dialogue."
As for Belmont University, university counsel Jason Rogers told CP in a Friday email that the 7,200-plus-student Christian school, which was affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention until 2009, also offers benefits to all legally married couples, including same-sex couples.
However, this is not a change to the school's employment practices, as Rogers explained that Belmont extended benefits to same-sex spouses a couple years back.
"Belmont has had a longstanding practice of not discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation," Rogers wrote. "This practice was confirmed in a written policy in January 2011. We were first asked to extend benefits to legally married employees of the same gender a couple of years ago. Since Belmont doesn't discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, we extended benefits to same-sex couples at that time and continue to offer employment benefits to legally married same-sex couples today."
Belmont University's vision and mission statement explains that the school "welcomes men and women from diverse backgrounds" and "upholds the dignity of all and fosters an atmosphere of respect for civil expression and divergent perspectives."
However, the statement also asserts that Belmont is a "Christian community" and community members must "uphold Jesus… as the measure of all things."
"Belmont University is a Christian community," the document added. "The University faculty, administration and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure of all things. Students encounter Christian values relevant to personal growth and spiritual maturity and are expected to commit themselves to high moral standards."
Neither Belmont University nor Hope College are members of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities.
When government becomes god, you obey that god at all costs. When God is God, you cease idolatry and obey Him.
Part of the ‘great falling away’ prophesied by Yeshua.
I thought Belmont was affiliated with the Southern Baptists.
How sad to see people and institutions give up their faith.
It is now a time for choosing.
Is it God or is it government?
So, they’re really not Christian colleges...
It’s a sad day when so-called Christian organizations don’t fight for their 1st Amendment Rights and stand up for the Word of God. Just because a group of 5 judges want to play God, doesn’t mean they can shake their fists in God’s face and redefine what He has authorized. Judgment Day will not be a pleasant event for them.
nondenominational Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee
Hope College, a small Reformed liberal arts school in Holland, Michigan,
Will they lose students?
Two (so called) Christian...
It sure seems that homosexual marriage is going to cause schisms(sp?) in religious life.
Some denominations and some religious institutions will decide that they will accept homosexual marriage. Some, as this college did, will decide that since the secular law says marriage is gender neutral, that they will comply in their own policies and procedures.
Others will not comply. It remains to be seen if the homosexual activists will sue churches and other religious institutions which don’t recognize homosexual marriage. But already we are seeing that some religious organizations are accomodating themselves to homosexual marriage.
Belmont was Baptist when I attended college in Nashville in the mid 70s. Maybe they broke with the SBC?
These are people who have chosen the “third way” of migrating to the “mushy middle”, some kind of compromise between something unabashedly good, the practice of the Christian faith, and something indisputably evil, the surrender to the baser instincts and whispers of Satan.
Compromise with evil is still evil.
“When government becomes god, you obey that god at all costs. When God is God, you cease idolatry and obey Him.”
Well said. And worth repeating.
Schools don’t have a choice. They don’t determine who is married and who isn’t married. The State tells you that.
it’s ok. The gays will stop advancing new agendas on these religious organizations once they accept these requests\ huge sarc!
Belmont formally left the SBC in 2009, but they functionally drifted away long before that. When the SBC split over conservative/liberal due to their respective understandings of how to interpret the Bible, Belmont leaders were never comfortable in Southern Baptist circles again, so,it was only a matter of time. One of their former presidents has been a family friend for more than fifty years. He was never a conservative.
Phooey!!!!
St. Elijah’s Day is coming—July 20/August 2. He would know how to take care of the “gay” Prophets of Shame!!!!
Then they're not all that Christian are they? I was under the distinct impression that God PUNISHED the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah - presumably because God didn't approve of butt-f****** and other perverse acts.
The Bible is very clear on what happens with tepid water. You are either hot or cold.
“Hope is best served by recruiting and retaining people based on their ability to contribute to the life of the college and its Christian mission.”
And watch that student population drop. Hope college is located in conservative country and not a state school. So they better HOPE that they can attract enough homos to make up the short-fall.
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