Whitworth University prides itself on the fact that it is a liberal arts institution that allows students to have leeway in their actions, while still standing on Christian morals and beliefs.
However, Whitworth’s leaders have failed to take a stance on an important, controversial issue that is applicable to campus: the debate on homosexuality.
With the passing of the same-sex marriage bill in Washington, and Whitworth’s mission to love everyone, you would think Whitworth’s leaders would have taken a clear supportive or unsupportive stance on homosexuality.
In an email from Rhosetta Rhodes on behalf of Beck Taylor, she states: “Whitworth does not take an institutional position on this issue in light of the fact that thoughtful Christians hold differing opinions, and that diversity of opinion extends to members of the Whitworth community, including students, staff, faculty, and trustees.”
Important issues are always controversial and there are always differences of opinion. The claim that there is a diversity of opinion is an invalid reason for Whitworth’s neutrality.
We are specifically concerned with how their views would relate to the ‘Big 3’ rule concerning cohabitation. Whitworth’s student handbook states that it believes that “the genital sexual relationship is to be understood and experienced within the context of…a lifelong commitment known as marriage. …this union is to be understood as a committed relationship between one man and one woman (heterosexual monogamy).”
This editorial board wants to challenge the administration to take a clear stance on homosexuality, as there are blurred lines between what is and isn’t acceptable regarding rules such as cohabitation. Although Whitworth accepts everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, this board feels that it would be beneficial for the university to state its stance in order to facilitate conversation about this debate.
Editorials in the “In the Loop” section reflect the majority opinion of the editorial board, which is made up of five editors.