Posted on 10/07/2013 6:27:00 PM PDT by Gamecock
Advertising for an event in the Marshall Student Center next week has caught the attention — and concern — of some students:
Blue posters and a banner advertising a lecture on “Homosexuality and Christianity,” a lecture that will be given by Dr. Rosario Butterfield, a self-proclaimed former “leftist lesbian” professor at Syracuse University who became heterosexual after becoming a devout Christian.
According to Butterfield’s website, she advises people to “have no contact with pornography or with secret lovers—physical, non-physical, virtual or real,” not to “misuse Christ by asking Him to baptize your feelings” and to stay away from ministry if “you are experiencing out-of-control lust or sexual temptations” in order to “kill, at the root, same-sex attraction.”
The event, sponsored by the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), a national Presbyterian church with chapters on college campuses, including USF, where the chapter does not receive student-paid Activity and Service fees, has drawn much concern because of the speaker’s allusions to practices similar to conversion therapy — a practice of trying to subvert non-heterosexualities that has been frowned upon by the American Medical Association and American Psychological Association and declared illegal in some states.
Lucia Baker, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, said the event could be detrimental to students who may be questioning their sexualities or identify as a part of the LGBT community.
“It’s a big deal because by USF allowing (the speaker) to preach some kind of hateful and discriminatory message, they are implicitly condoning that it is OK and that they are going to stand for that kind of speech and actions, when the university is everything against that,” she said.
But Dean for Students Michael Freeman said the issue is one of free speech.
“It is always our opinion that we have different points of view — views that may be repugnant to some, but that align with others. But universities are places to have all ideas out there. That’s what makes universities what they are and that’s the kind of environment we want to create.”
Freeman said the university doesn’t necessarily condone the messages of speakers or groups who rent space on campus, but the university would always allow any view point to be heard on campus unless it posed a direct threat to safety or was known to advocate violence.
But Baker said the harm that could be caused to a student struggling with acceptance of their sexuality could be damaging, and she has contacted suicide prevention organizations to join P.R.I.D.E. Alliance, College Democrats, Students for a Democratic Society and other student organizations in protesting the event.
“Those messages can potentially be dangerous to people’s health,” she said. “Conversion therapy is scientifically found to be dangerous and extremely traumatic. To go and have it shot down that (to identify as party of the LGBT community) is sinful or wrong or somehow less-than can be really harmful. It really bothers me as an ally and advocate of the LGBT community that someone at USF would allow this event to be held. Speakers should still be held to our standards if they’re using our facilities.”
Luke Blankenship, a sophomore majoring in mass communications and the president of P.R.I.D.E. Alliance, said he understood the university’s decision to host the speaker as a First Amendment issue, but said he and other members of P.R.I.D.E. planned to attend the event and respectfully challenge some of the speakers’ views during the question-answer portion of the session.
Blankenship said many other religious organizations on campus have expressed their support of P.R.I.D.E. and may table outside the event, which will be held Monday in the Oval Theater at 7 p.m., offering their LGBT-accepting religious services to students wishing to explore faith.
Matthew Schnabel, a senior majoring in social work and a member of the Episcopalian Diocese, who said he spoke as a student and not as a representative of his church, said his church was considering holding a prayer vigil with LGBT individuals to let them know they are accepted in entirety.
“It’s difficult enough when working with LGBT students,” he said. “A lot of people are closed off to the church because of past experiences where they’ve been shunned or closed off. But Christianity is about love and faith; it isn’t just about what can be proven or found, but also what we believe in our hearts and minds. This event is just a way for a small minority of Christians to dominate the conversation.”
Freeman said he encourages students with concerns to attend the event and respectfully pose questions if they have any, host a speaker on the same topic with a different viewpoint or respectfully protest without disrupting any events.
“The nature and function of a university is to bring minds to a conversation,” he said. “In the end, it may be just listening and still not agreeing, but being able to say that’s OK.”
Butterfield could not be reached for comment by the time of print.
Of course, none of the bilge proffered by college LGBTQXYZ organizations could ever be considered 'damaging', now, could it? Hopefully the professor is allowed to speak.
People are free to try to transcend their mortality by any means they think will work. But the Bible states in many ways that there is only one way to attain life after death. While the gift of eternal life is free (and cannot be earned or purchased), it is not without conditions. One of those conditions is to practice sexual morality. People who refuse to be moral in their personal conduct cannot be given eternal life. See for example Revelation 22:15.
How this can be a subject of debate is beyond me. But then again, Jesus said that his words would be hard for some people to accept.
Hmmmm...I always thought it was about repentance and asking God to cleanse us to be more like His Son.
What are they so afraid of?
Dr. Rosario Butterfield,
I picked up her book some time back-but haven’t had time to read it, but God bless every soul that is freed in Jesus Name!
Blue posters and a banner advertising a lecture on “Homosexuality and Christianity,” a lecture that will be given by Dr. Rosario Butterfield, a self-proclaimed former “leftist lesbian” professor at Syracuse University who became heterosexual after becoming a devout Christian.
"Self proclaimed"? Huh? There is no question that that is what she was.
“Those messages can potentially be dangerous to people’s health,” she said. “Conversion therapy is scientifically found to be dangerous and extremely traumatic. To go and have it shot down that (to identify as party of the LGBT community) is sinful or wrong or somehow less-than can be really harmful. It really bothers me as an ally and advocate of the LGBT community that someone at USF would allow this event to be held. Speakers should still be held to our standards if they’re using our facilities.” blahblahblah
Yup, here it comes.
“a practice of trying to subvert non-heterosexualities that has been frowned upon by the American Medical Association and American Psychological Association and declared illegal in some states.”
Fascist hellholes that would force a child rape victim who suffers unwanted same-sex attraction to just accept their condition.
“This event is just a way for a small minority of Christians to dominate the conversation.”
Any so-called Christian who tries to delude people into thinking that sodomy is fine before the Lord are spitting in God’s eye.
I can personally GUARANTEE that globally, “Christians” who “accept” homosexuality are less that 10%
‘But Dean for Students Michael Freeman said the issue is one of free speech.
“It is always our opinion that we have different points of view — views that may be repugnant to some, but that align with others. But universities are places to have all ideas out there. That’s what makes universities what they are and that’s the kind of environment we want to create.”’
What? The free exchange of ideas on issues? Sounds good in theory. Let’s see if they actually put it into practice.
““have no contact with pornography or with secret lovers—physical, non-physical, virtual or real,” not to “misuse Christ by asking Him to baptize your feelings” and to stay away from ministry if “you are experiencing out-of-control lust or sexual temptations” in order to “kill, at the root, same-sex attraction.” “
Well I’m glad to see someone else besides me listens to Dr. Judith Reisman.
They are afraid of God and his judgment of their sins - as are who and are not redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. And although they know they are condemned, they will say and do anything to keep knowledge of that from their thoughts because, sad to say, sin is still their master. (Romans 1:18) And a thoroughly hard and destructive master it is.
It’s the same motivation that causes the death eaters to become frenzied when they encounter pro-life messages. Seeing their sins exposed causes them great pain and insane rage.
Also, it’s “Rosaria,” not “Rosario.”
Very fortunately, impelled by the love of Christ, some people patiently corrected me, and here I am, a rigid Catholic heteronormative moralist saved by grace! :o)
Prayer up for Dr. Butterfield. Wish I were there.
By the way,
She has a cheerful smile and nice straight teeth. I always notice teeth. Looks tired, though, poor dear.
Yeah, around the eyes. It’s probably equal parts of Weariness and Motherwit.
The big irony is, Frau Butterfield doesn't support the thing they were complaining about (so called "conversion therapy").
The other irony is, they (the LGBTBPAetc people) probably wouldn't find a more sympathetic opponent.
Yeah, around the eyes. It’s probably equal parts of Weariness and Motherwit.
She looks her age. Which is fine.
I agree. I’ve always aspired to the Motherwit look.
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