Where is the Freedom?
The Law Society of British Columbia has voted to overturn a previous decision to accept graduates of Trinity Western University’s Law School.
Why would they do such a thing? The problem for many is that TWU requires its student to sign a covenant agreeing, among other things, to keep sexual activity within the context of a marriage between a man and a woman. Although this would likely affect non-married heterosexuals more than anyone, it has been seen as a stand against same-sex marriage.
I am sure that the Law Society voted against accepting TWU grads out of a desire to stand for freedom and tolerance. People of any and every sexual orientation should have the right to a good law school education.
I agree with that freedom but what the Law Society fails to see is that TWU is not a threat to that freedom.
- TWU has not targeted homosexuals as an object of discrimination.
- TWU has not banned homosexuals from studying at its school.
- TWU has not sought to keep homosexuals from studying law at other schools.
All TWU has attempted to do is to keep true to its evangelical heritage by requesting students keep sexual activity within the limits of traditional biblical interpretations.
The irony is that by attempting to stand for freedom and tolerance, the Law Society of British Columbia has taken a stand against freedom and tolerance. The rights of homosexuals should be defended. But what about the rights of Evangelicals? Do Evangelicals have the right to have their beliefs and to be able to act on them?
Allowing the TWU Law School to train lawyers and to to keep their lifestyle covenant would in no way impinge on the rights of homosexuals. If anyone (heterosexual or homosexual) does not agree with the TWU lifestyle covenant, there are many other universities and law schools to study at. No one will lose the chance for an education.
This has come down to one group not agreeing with the beliefs of another group and deciding to punish that group for those “wrong” beliefs.
That does not sound like tolerance.
That does not sound like freedom.
