Baylor University, a Baptist University in Waco, Texas, is withdrawing the $643,000 grant it received to study the inclusion of LGBTQ people and women in its churches.
The grant awarded to Baylor’s Center for Church and Community Impact in Schools of Social Work comes from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation, which funds progressive, faith-related initiatives focused on segregation of church-states, interfaith projects, and social justice.
This money was intended to “help inclusion and belong to the church.” The goal is to fund research on “disenfranchising and elimination of LGBTQIA+ individuals and women within congregations” and to encourage more comprehensive practices.
in letter Posted on the university’s website, Baylor president Linda Livingston said that returning money was “a course of proper action and in the best interest.”
She noted that the objections to the grants stemmed not from the research itself but from concerns that Baylor might require them to advocate for views on human sexuality that are at odds with university policies. Statement on human sexualitythis discourages extramarital sex and same-sex behavior.
“We are committed to providing a loving and caring community for everyone, including LGBTQIA+ students, because it is part of our university’s mission and we want to educate our students within a caring Christian community,” writes Livingstone.
However, she also emphasized that the university’s institutional beliefs and policies remain the same. This nods to conservative Baptists who worry that schools may get lost from their Christian identity.
“Baylor is deeply committed to its unique role as a Christian research university, encouraging rigorous investigation and thoughtful exploration of complex issues,” she added. “We will continue to support faculty and researchers in pursuing meaningful scholarships, ensuring that such work is consistent with our institutional processes.”
Baylor was one of several schools named in a class action lawsuit that challenged religious exemptions that allowed faith-based universities to discriminate against LGBTQ students. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed – claiming that such exemptions violated the rights of students and allowed for harassment, discipline and even coercive therapy.
In 2019, Baylor professors apologised to students after guest speakers invited them to discuss missionary work with the hearing impaired community and promote conversion therapy for LGBTQ people. The university issued a statement saying it “doesn’t practice or tolerate” treatments that are often sold as a way to “cure” LGBTQ identity.
In a statement NBC NewsThe Bo Foundation said Baylor’s decision to cancel the research grant was “deeply saddened.”
“This was an opportunity to answer Christian calls to care for marginalized people by creating resources and providing important research to the faith community,” the foundation said. “Our minds break for students who receive this message loudly and clearly from professors, research fellows, especially Baylor. We hope this moment will be a catalyst for reflection.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
