Don’t think that there is even ONE person who has NEVER had a problem with ANY rules in their life. Even the word “rules” tends to have a bit of a negative connotation. Why? Well, ask yourself a question: Why did you dislike a certain rule established by American law, by a school system, by your parents in their household, or through the church?

A: Because it was “irrelevant” to whatever the core goal of the rule established was

B: Because it was “unfair” in that it created a double standard or an inequality in how people can live

C: Because it was “untimely” in that the rule was obsolete, not needing to be used in today’s world or time

D: Because it was “unethical,” just plain wrong

E: Because it was “all of the above”

Let’s look at the other side, though. Why are rules established? Rules serve a very specific and important function in society: THEY KEEP PEOPLE FROM ACTIN’ UP! (For those of you who are not familiar with the phrase “actin’ up,” think of like this: “actin’ a fool.”) I prefer a world where there are standards, enforcements, and punishments in place to keep people from behaving offensively, rudely, violently, immorally, unfairly, and unethically.

Next question: How do we define what is “offensive,” “rude,” “violent,” “immoral,” “unfair,” and “unethical,” in order to make rules against such offenses?

At private Christian or religiously-affiliated colleges and university, large portion of how the rules in their “Student Code of Conduct” are established is by defining what is “offensive,” “rude,” “violent,” “immoral,” “unfair,” and “unethical” in the Christian Bible. It only makes sense that a Christian college would want their students to, in some way, shape or form, follow a Christian lifestyle.

The other day I was watching a special on Logo (in essence, the “Gay” channel, to some people) called “Equality U.”

The documentary followed 38 college-aged activists and LGBT Christians on the Soulforce Equality Ride, in reference of the Freedom Riders of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. Their goal was to spark a conversation and a move to examine and overturn anti-gay policies at a number of private Christian colleges and universities across the nation.

Did they face prosecution and even jail time if not compliant with school outrageous policies? Yes. In fact, in the documentary, they are innumerous times that individuals on the Soulforce Equality Ride were jailed, arrested, or hindered from their activities because of school security or police action.

This sort of intolerance at a place of higher learning, where students should be challenged to think outside the box and to recognize the diversity of our great nation, is incredibly reminiscent of the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

As most of LGBT folks realize, most conservative anti-gay Christians will use this story to attest to the Bible’s disapproval of homosexuality. Specifically, they cite that Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities that God destroyed with fire and brimstone, were destroyed by God, because the cities participated in rampant sexual perversion, including, as they say, homosexuality.

I am here to say that that is not true…at least, in my opinion and interpretation of the story.