Controversy

~~~~~I love few things more than a good case of controversy, and recently the UNC campus has been flooded with it. A Christian a-capella group asked a member to leave due to his homosexuality. The group's constitution is based off of Biblical teachings;and their mission is to lead lives reflecting a Christian lifestyle, which means adhering to the Bible. The question is, do these guidelines go against the anti-discrimation policy of the University? I have very mixed feelings about the issue, because of my Christian faith and my personal beliefs in a tolerant society. So please, anyone who reads this, don't attack me. I mean for this in no way to be condemning or I am rasing questions about a very specific case that I believe is relevant to our times. I am very open to people's beliefs and life choices. This post will err to the side of conservatism, but that is because my emphasis is on the group, which does have specific rules and guidelines for its members.
~~~~~~Many groups on campus have condemned Psalm 100 (name of a capella group) for practicing discrimination. But where is the line between having standards and expectations, and being tolerant? I believe that this group is perfectly within their right to remove members who are not adhering to Biblical principles if that is in their Constitution. To join this group is a personal choice, and going into it, I am sure that members are well aware of their expectations. My hope is that they are being fair in monitoring their members' behavior. Someone who is caught cheating or stealing should be penalized as well (I would hope in ANY organization this is the case....).
~~~ There are certain organizations I know that I would not join because I will not agree to their doctrine. I know I would not join a church whose message is that I need to stay home and pop out kids forever while never cutting my hair. I know that I do not agree with or accept this, therefore I will not be particpating. Other people can, and that is their choice entirely. I do not expect this theoretical church to change their doctrine because I do not like aspects of it. Another example is that many sororties have a no alchohol policy. Attending sorority sponsored events intoxicated, or being intoxicated while wearing letters can result in dismissal. Women are aware of the standard, and the consequence. If removed, the group is not discriminating her for consuming alchol. She is being dismissed for breaking a rule.
~~~~~But then, the other side to this issue I find fault in is: to what degree of accountablilty are other members being held to? Being that they are a campus organization who recieves University funding, do they have the right to ask members to leave based off of sexual orientation or views that go aganinst their principles? UNC has a strict anti-discrimination policy which I fully support. Every single person should be able to live and thrive in a community without fear of persecution and judgement. This is a very small scale issue for what I believe to be a broad issue for our generation. How do we integrate our beliefs with others? How do uphold these beliefs while still being open to other people's choices? I look forward to seeing the outcome of this situation and the campus reaction. As I stated in the opening paragraph, I meant this post in no way to be judgemental or offensive. I simply wanted to record an issue, and try to give it meaning. I am personally accepting of many different people, and their life choices.