The Islamic State group may be throwing homosexuals off tall buildings in the Middle East, but the University of California Santa Barbara wants its Christian students to know they may have a hard time reconciling their faith with same-sex relationships.
The school's "Homosexuality and Religion" guide warns students how "one of the most prominent and outspoken views on homosexuality is seen in Christianity," while Islam offers "a great deal of variety."
The project, which was crafted by the school's Sociology Department, also tells students it is possible to be "devout and sexually active," the education watchdog Campus Reform reported Sept. 18.
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"As our world progresses, we now appreciate that all forms of sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationships are natural and should be treated equally under the law, though some religions may not see it in this way," the guide states.
UCSB's "Homosexuality and Religion" guide says religions typically deal with same-sex relationships in three ways:
- Rejectionism
- Love the sinner, hate the sin
- Full acceptance."
"Rejectionism is held mainly by Judeo-Christian denominations that embrace a more fundamental, Biblical interpretation of sexuality. This approach entirely objects to the idea that homosexuals deserve equal rights," the guide says.
Carlos Flores, a senior at UCSB, told Campus Reform he considers the document "quite disappointing."
"[I]t is absurd to suggest that Christians 'object to the idea that homosexuals deserve equal rights,'" Flores, a Catholic, told the nonprofit organization. "Christians and homosexual activists disagree on what marriage is – that is, which relationships are marital and which are not, but this doesn't imply that Christians think that homosexuals don't deserve equal rights."
The guide goes on to say "[p]rogress is slowly creeping as the relationship between sexuality and religion continues to evolve."
UCSB did not respond to Campus Reform’s request for comment.