Speech was misunderstood, but remained true to Bible

To the Daily:

I feel as though the message from “The Light”
presentation was interpreted incorrectly by some people (Gospel
presentation good, but anti-homosexual speech inappropriate for
event, 02/05/04). If they had stayed long enough to hear the
rest of it, they would’ve greater understood the calling that
Gayle Brannon was making. It wasn’t to exclude any person on
the basis of anything, but it was an overall call to adjust the
things in our lives that pull us further from Jesus Christ. After
those people left, he spoke about fornication, lust and a whole
array of various topics that they didn’t hear. The only
statement made directed at homosexuals was the fact that according
to The Bible, homosexuality is an abomination unto God. You
can’t argue that, it’s in The Bible. I think people
need to stop wearing their hearts on their sleeves and taking
everything so personally. Because honestly, the only reason why it
would’ve offended you is if it convicted you. People need to
realize that they have no right to be upset. When you attend an
event that believes a certain doctrine you can’t be mad when
something is said that you don’t agree with if you
don’t agree with that certain doctrine. It’s freedom of
speech and religion, and I feel a lot of what was said needed to be
said. Jesus loves everyone and that is undeniable, but Jesus
doesn’t like everything everyone does. That’s where our
change as followers of the Most High God must occur. If we want to
draw closer to Christ, we need to adjust the things in our lives
that are not like him. And if we choose not to do that, you can
only blame yourself for not having the relationship with God that
you so desire.

Deborah Wiggins

LSA sophomore

Christianity based on ‘love;’ comments meant to
educate

To the Daily:

As one of the members of the University’s Gospel chorale,
I was truly blessed and my life was changed by “The
Light.”  My motive for this letter is to respond to the
misunderstanding regarding the comments made about homosexuality
during the service (Gospel presentation good, but
anti-homosexual speech inappropriate for event, 02/05/04). It
is important for us all to really explore the depth of something
before judging it. Christianity is based on love and acceptance,
but anything that is contrary to the word of God, such as
homosexuality (Romans 1:27), is contrary to the purpose for which
God has put us on this earth to live. Gayle Brannon’s words
were not full of hate, but were said out of love to educate people
about what God has instructed through His word.  Christians do
not hate homosexuals, we don’t agree with that lifestyle
because it is contrary to God’s word, but we do not hate
those who practice it. We all have things wrong with us that we are
battling with, and we need to make a decision to turn away from
these things. Homosexuality is a stronghold, it’s a lifestyle
that is against God’s instruction and it is a large issue
today, which is why it needs to be addressed. Brannon and other
ministers who say similar things don’t hate people who are
homosexual, they just want everyone to know the truth of
God’s will so that they aren’t misled. One thing I
distinctly remember Minister Brannon saying is that God instructed
us to “be fruitful and multiply.” And the truth is, two
men or two women bring no kind of production, no multiplication
(Genesis 1:28). And God does want us to accept who we are, but
that means who we are in His eyes, and according to His will, not
our own.

Besides this, I wish those of you who left could have stayed to
see the move of God following the sermon. Many people were set free
from the strongholds that were holding them back, and many learned
more about what God’s will for their lives is. It was a night
full of praise, worship and the Glory of God. Signs and wonders of
God’s presence did follow the sermon, which tells us all that
what was said was what God wanted to be said through one of His
servants in the ministry.

Charis Vaughn

LSA freshman

Time for ‘U’ community to rethink hockey
cheer

To the Daily:

After Maryland fans chanted an obscenity at a Duke basketball
player last month, they were criticized by university officials and
local and national media alike. Simply, it was a classless display
that reflected negatively upon their university.