Despite the careless journalism on the part of some of the media who claimed otherwise, Mr. Wilson did not resign. He returned his contract with the phrase regarding homosexuality struck out from the Personal Lifestyle Statement. One can do many things, but they cannot change what God creates them to be.
When, on May 3, 2012 he returned his contract to the Shorter Provost, he also sent a letter to Shorter President, Dr. Don Dowless.
Click here to continue reading.
Click here to read a Rome News-Tribune article "Shorter librarian prepares to leave, would love to stay".
www.christopheryuan.com
http://www.abpnews.com/culture/social-issues/item/7513-baptist-school-fires-gay-librarian
Church Report article:
http://www.thechurchreport.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=siteContent.default&objectID=156169
it think Mr Wilson did the best thing possible for himself in this situation. he set it up so that they either had to accept his contract as he returned it or fire him because he didnt agree with their discrimination of people because of their sexual orientation.
IMO Sorter will come out of the losing end of this if it is taken to court. While they may be a private institution they may not break federal law.
From a Baptist Today article appropriately titled "Brains in Chains": "Thus, one must affirm a belief that the Bible is "inerrant and infallible" -- the rootstock of Christian fundamentalism -- in order to be employed at Shorter. Professors who are supposed to help students develop critical thinking skills are not allowed to think for themselves, but required to adopt a very narrow view of scripture that allows precious little room for any interpretation beyond the pick-and-choose literalism common to fundamentalism.
Not surprisingly, at least 60 professors and other staff members have chosen to resign rather than surrender control of their conscience to the school's trustees, even though they may not have another job to go to."
http://www.baptiststoday.org/cartledge-blog/2012/5/21/brains-in-chains.html
Where do you religious moderates go from here?
I think we all know why it happened.
I detest hate like this, especially when it comes from religion.
Love one another - that was the message of Christ - all the other words written around that pale in comparison. That's been the message of every religious leader that ever was.
So don't invite me to your stupid, hateful churches. As long as religious institutions promote hate, and hurting people - I'll have no part of them.
What ever you are smoking I want some. I love some late night saturday rambling - no sense making. Hey man, it's the weekend.
you assume those who don't agree with you are liberals? You don't want to read the posts about Shorter anymore? your tired of it and therefore want anyone who doesn't agree with you to stop posting? Wow I am going out on a limb here and assume that your a card carrying member of the GBC?!
Shorter University hereby accepts your resignation from your position as president, effective immediately. Because you have not supported and acknowledged the institution's long legacy of academic excellence and Christian education, you do not have a valid contract. We wish you well in the future.
Sincerely,
Shorter's Supporters
1. So what if he's not an academician. Staff are important, too, and their voice is important. You just make yourself look very small and snobbish with that remark.
2. "Babysitting"? Shorter is not a research university -- not now and not under the old regime -- it is a teaching institution. Student support is as important, if not important.
3. "Snarky"? Maybe, maybe not -- but yours were much worse.
I just heard Shirley Tilghman say support staff are critical to the success of a university, hers (Princeton University) included. In neutral outsiders' eyes, comments like yours just build the credibility of those you oppose. If you support movements like saveourshorter.com (I suspect you do), then you're not helping them.
That cuts 2 ways -- these and other sites have been full of equally vitriolic, intolerant and stupid comments from those who support Dr. Dowless and his changes. I'm not even talking about your word, "snark" -- I'm talking much worse.
You're being disingenuous here -- you know all this as well as I do.
Thank you for your generous defense. Concerning your critique, I must give credit when due...supporters (myself included) have also fallen short of the kind of charity that should characterize a productive public discourse. I'll take your words as a helpful reproof and hope it seasons the conversations of all involved as well.
These Baptists have no problem using trickery and deceit to pretend as if they have accepted the resignation of this man, when obviously no resignation was offered.
Anyone with an open mind must now see that these old white men are no different than their paw-paws before them except now it's no longer acceptable to be openly racist, so they've moved on to bigotry against homosexuals, and GASP those who drink in public, i.e. Jesus.
These old white men are the epitome of all that is wrong with organized religion.
Thanks to all the local churches who have stood up against this hatred. In other words, none of them. The silent preachers and churches in this town should be ashamed.
If Shorter is full of liars and loathers who would gladly violate their conscience in exchange for thirty pieces of silver, perhaps folks would be better off sending their children elsewhere. I would like to think this isn't the case, and that the vast majority of those who have chosen to stay at Shorter are not among those you have described. I sincerely hope that those who feel they must sign the statement, despite their contrary beliefs, find comparable employment that better aligns with their heart and passions, for the mutual benefit of all involved.
jarnoldc, thank you for bringing up Billy Graham while ignoring the living white men who bully homosexuals in your own town. If they start hanging black people, hopefully you'll be so brave to bury your head and keep repeating "Billy Graham" until all the memories go away. Also, I've read your two posts carefully, and it seems to me that you are resigning. Thank you for your resignation.