Christian university asks staff to sign form stating they're not gay
By Daily Mail Reporter
A Christian university is asking its 200 employees to sign a 'Personal Lifestyle Statement' stating they are not gay.
Anyone at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia, who does not sign the statement faces being fired.
Don Dowless, president of the university, said the statement also requires staffers to reject premarital sex and adultery.
Centre of controversy: Shorter University's new 'Personal Lifestyle Statement' rejects homosexuality
He said: 'I think that anybody who adheres to a lifestyle that is outside of what the biblical mandate is and of what the board has passed, including the president, would not be allowed to continue here.
'Anything outside that is not biblical, we do not accept.
'We have a right to hire only Christians.'
Now there are fears among staff that disgruntled co-workers could accuse others of being gay just out of spite.
One student, who did not want to be named, said the university is judging others, which is not what the Bible teaches.
Strict: University president Don Dowless says staff could face termination if they do not sign the new statement
Students do not have to sign the statement, ajc.com reports.
New employees will have to sign it and existing employees will have to sign when their contracts are up for renewal.
The statement says: 'Failure to adhere to this statement may result in disciplinary action against me, up to and including immediate termination.'
The Personal Lifestyle Statement was one of several measures approved by the Board of Trustees on October 21 and presented to the campus on October 26.
Don Dowless, pictured addressing staff members, says the school has a right to hire only Christians
The others include a 'Policy for Christian Education,' 'Biblical Principles on the Integration of Faith and Learning' and a 'Statement of Faith.'
By signing the Personal Lifestyle Statement, employees agree to reject 'all sexual activity not in agreement with the Bible, including, but not limited to premarital sex, adultery and homosexuality.'
Staffers must also agree not to drink alcohol when students are present or to promote the use of alcohol.
They must not touch illegal drinks and must be loyal to the mission of Shorter as a Christ-centered school affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention.
Mr Dowless said the practice of making employee sign a lifestyle statement is done at other Christian universities as well. Because Shorter doesn’t receive federal funding, the policy is legal.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2055482/Christian-university-asks-staff-sign-form-stating-theyre-gay.html#ixzz1v9y7bteK