The Christian a cappella group Psalm 100’s unanimous decision to expel senior Will Thomason for his beliefs on sexuality stands in opposition to the values of this University, its students and the broader community. This action was reprehensible in principle and questionable, at best, in its adherence to UNC’s non-discrimination policy.
Despite years of progress, this event is a stark reminder that there is much more work to be done before UNC is truly worthy of the term “accepting.” Whether homosexuality is acceptable in the Christian community is a topic best left to religious scholars. Whether a student of this University can be excluded because of their identity is a broader question answered daily by the actions allowed within the community.
The community owes it to Thomason and the rest of campus to answer a resounding “No.” This behavior will not, and should not, be tolerated. Psalm 100 was wrong to believe otherwise.
It is one thing to remove a member incapable of working closely with the group. But Thomason, a veteran member, was highlighted by the group in a solo at Sunset Serenade and has stated his intent to remain friendly with the group. It seems unlikely that Thomason was unable to continue working with the members of Psalm.
Psalm 100 has justified its actions with rationale that hinges on the language in the constitution of the group. It’s this language that allows the group to determine membership based on beliefs, but also creates a gray area with the non-discrimination policy.
A closer look at the group’s constitution reveals these claims to be a sloppy attempt at legal footwork. Psalm 100’s constitution states a member may be removed when he “continuously fails to follow … the guidelines of the Bible.” This standard may work in theory, but implementation is a stickier matter.
Should the Bible’s guidelines be in original Greek, or are Latin and English translations acceptable? Do the remaining members of Psalm 100 wear mixed fabrics or eat shellfish? Should football players be allowed to sing if they throw and catch a pigskin on Saturdays? And so the classic argument goes.
To say, as the group’s director Blake Templeton does, that homosexuality is something “clearly written in Scripture” is an argument that holds neither wine nor water. Hundreds, if not thousands, of scholarly essays have been written in attempts to interpret the Bible’s stance on homosexuality, yet the Christian community continues to struggle with the issue.
So while Templeton might see the issue as clear, millions of Christians across the world still struggle to achieve his clarity on the matter.
