The Chapel hovered both literally and figuratively over students, faculty, employees and alumni speaking passionately about whether same-sex unions should take place in the University's famed edifice.
Gay rights activists, devout Christians and combinations of the two took turns talking at the microphone set up on the Chapel steps yesterday afternoon. What was organized by Duke Student Government as a policy discussion turned into a debate of biblical proportions, with both sides appealing to religion, history and love as they spoke to about 75 attentive onlookers.
"It's ridiculous to me... that this is still an issue. People who love each other should be able to be together," said graduate student Tracy Feldman. "There's no absolute wrong when it comes to love."
Patty Hanneman, a Divinity School student who described herself as a "devout Christian and a proud lesbian," tried to poke holes in Christian arguments against homosexual unions. On the one hand, she said, Christians perceive homosexuality to be a promiscuous lifestyle choice. Yet when a gay couple does want to get married, she said, "[Christians] won't let them go through a ritual to enhance, nurture and find community support for that relationship."
Several Christian activists, however, pointed to traditional readings of the Bible to rebut the arguments of those describing themselves as both Christian and gay.
"To say homosexuality is not a sin, I don't know what you're reading," said junior Jason Davis. "To say the Bible doesn't say that homosexuality is a sin... you're greatly deceived."
Summer Kinard, another Divinity School student, responded directly to Davis' comments.
"One of my greatest problems surrounding this debate is that Christians have ignorance of their own text," she said, explaining that she considers the religion to be based on love. "If you're sending someone out of your church, you should consider whether you're following Christianity at all."
Since the end of last spring, the issue of same-sex unions in the Chapel, currently prohibited by the University, has been an especially hot topic. In the spring, DSG passed a resolution supporting the controversial ceremony, and this month, the organization released a report on the University's policy. Last weekend, President Nan Keohane announced that she will appoint a committee to examine the policy.
Will Grimsley, Trinity '00, said the University's involvement in this issue would be inappropriate altogether, citing the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
"The church has the right to stand for its beliefs.... The University has no right to interfere with the functions of the church," he said.
Just as gay-rights supporters dominated the audience sitting on the Chapel steps, they also dominated the last few minutes of the speak out. Senior Sean Turner got the last word, comparing discrimination based on sexual orientation to racial bias.
"The KKK and Aryan Nation can spit off four or five Bible quotes," he said, as the bulk of the crowd murmured in agreement. "Does that make it right?"
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