SEARCY, Ark. (AP) Students using the campus-wide computer system at Harding University won’t be able to access a new website detailing experiences of gay and lesbian students at the school.
Harding President David Burks spoke to students at a daily chapel service about the website that went online last week.
“We know that this doesn’t keep the website off of campus, since anyone with a smart phone has easy access to it,” Burks said during the chapel session Thursday. “And I think it is important for you to know that we are not trying to control your thinking on this. But it was important for us to block the website because of what it says about Harding, who we are and what we believe.”
The school is affiliated with the Church of Christ.
Burks cited the student handbook in his speech, saying that Harding “holds to the Biblical principle that sexual relationships are unacceptable to God outside the context of marriage. Sexual immorality in any form will result in suspension from the university.” He cited two biblical passages that he said were statements that homosexuality is sinful but said the school is against bullying of homosexuals..
The website, www.huqueerpress.com, does not name its contributors or those involved in administering the site. Some of its postings contain profanity and sexually graphic descriptions.
“While the postings appear to be sincere and heartfelt, several were vulgar and profane by anyone’s standards, and the rhetoric is often extreme,” Burks said.
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