Credit where credit is due

Since the Sioux Center incident, I've been following the progress of the SoulForce equality ride via the Internet. The riders are keeping a blog that details their experiences at the various Christian colleges they're visiting. And, I have to say, it looks as if Dordt – so far, anyway – is the only one of those colleges to put their Christian beliefs into action by welcoming the riders.

At Oklahoma Baptist, the riders were barred from attending a chapel service on campus, and several were arrested for trespassing:

We walked down University Avenue, a public street that runs through campus, and, when we approached the chapel, the administration greeted us with armed policemen and handcuffs. Each Rider was read a statement stating that we were not welcome on campus and that setting one more foot toward chapel would subject us to arrest.

Unfortunately, that one didn't surprise me too much, coming from a Baptist university in Oklahoma. But I was extremely disappointed to read that the riders experienced a similar reception at a Lutheran college in Wisconsin and at the grandaddy of Catholic colleges – the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

I can't believe I actually wanted to go to Notre Dame – how Christian is that to ban a group of gay and lesbian people who, from what I've read, are extremely religious, spiritual people seeking to talk and worship with students?

In any case, I want to give big props to Dordt for being the only Christian college so far to stand up and do the right thing. And to the rest of them – Shame on you.