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[As you probably know, Kirk Humphreys recently was pressured to resign from the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, largely over his comments concerning the moral legitimacy of homosexual conduct. He is also being asked to resign from the Board of the John Rex Charter Elementary School here in OKC. He has refused to do so, much to his credit and courage. This past Monday, January 8, the regular meeting of the Oklahoma City school board was convened and many appeared either to defend or oppose Mr. Humphreys. I was asked to speak on his behalf. What follows is the substance of what I said. One is granted only 3 minutes in which to speak, so it was necessarily brief.]

First of all, let me thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight on behalf of Kirk Humphreys. I do not come here in order to defend or challenge the accuracy of his view on the moral legitimacy of homosexual conduct. I will say, however, that I do share Mr. Humphrey’s perspective which is widely acknowledged to be the view that conservative, evangelical Christians have embraced for the last 2,000 years.

My concern is for the lack of tolerance exhibited to Mr. Humphreys.

Kirk Humphreys never once has challenged or opposed the right of those in the LGBTQ community to believe what they do or to act in accordance with it. He has never attempted in any way to hinder the freedom of those in the LGBTQ community to attend whatever school they choose and to take full and unhindered advantage of all the educational opportunities that school may provide.

All that we are asking, all that Mr. Humphreys desires, is that he be granted the same right and freedom to embrace his views on human sexuality that is granted to the LGBTQ community. He is more than willing to affirm their right to believe and live in accordance with their convictions concerning homosexuality. He simply is asking that he be shown the same dignity and granted the same constitutional freedom when it comes to his beliefs about what the Bible says concerning homosexual behavior.

I’m not asking that you agree with his or my moral convictions concerning homosexual practice but only that you extend to him the same respect and intellectual freedom that you so tenaciously protect on behalf of all others.

Were Mr. Humphreys to be removed from the Board of John Rex School it would tell me and others that anyone can serve on this Board except evangelical Christians. It tells me that every view is permissible and should be granted freedom of expression and protection from discrimination except the view embraced by orthodox, Bible-believing Christians.

Surely our emphasis on “inclusion” and “tolerance” and the importance of showing respect for all views should be extended to all persons, including Mr. Humphreys.

So why is Mr. Humphreys the object of exclusion and discrimination when he articulates his personal perspective? Are all evangelical Christians now to believe that their historic, long-standing, biblical convictions are no longer welcome in our schools? Why is Mr. Humphreys the target of such remarkable intolerance in a society that purportedly promotes tolerance? I simply urge you to grant Mr. Humphreys the same intellectual freedom that you extend to others. Thank You.

 

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