University backs down after Christian group's legal threat

Published on Saturday 9 December 2006 13:02

UNIVERSITY chiefs have backed down after being threatened with legal action for stopping Christian students holding classes branded "homophobic" on campus.

The decision by Edinburgh University has sparked protests with 45 people marching on the Old College with a petition containing 1238 signatures.

The course Pure, which is held by the Christian Union and deals with the Bible's attitude to sex and relationships, has been condemned by the Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Scotland.

However, the Christian Union has rejected the university's offer of a room on campus after it was only made with the condition that other material, which offers a different point of view, is also made available.

The stalemate means the threat of legal action continues to hover over the university.

Laura Stirrat, vice president of the Christian Union, said: "We don't want this to drag on. If we cannot resolve the matter through communication we may turn to legal action, but we don't want to do that."

She denied the course is homophobic. "If we thought it was homophobic we would not do it. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of their sexuality.

"Homosexuality is a very small part of the course.

"It's mentioned in the same category as fornication and adultery, not the way God intended relationships to be. It does not single it out as worse than anything else."

But Tim Goodwin, EUSA president and himself a Christian, said: "EUSA is strictly opposed to the course.

"It is essentially homophobic and we have a policy that condemns the course itself.

"There are statements that the course makes that are homophobic. It describes homosexuality as dysfunctional and destructive."

He backed the university's decision to allow the course on the condition it incorporates material which offers alternative points of view to the stance taken by the Christian Union.

Mr Goodwin said he was not happy about the idea of the courses being run on campus, but added: "We would condone it if it allows alternative view points to be provided."

Tom French, the National Union of Students' LGBT Scotland officer, said: "We are campaigning against the course. It refers to homosexuality as something that can and should be healed.

"If that kind of attitude was taken on skin colour or gender it would be deemed unacceptable by society." He added: "This sort of course may produce mental health problems, later in life, among the people who attend it.

"I'm also concerned about the message that is sent out when the university says you can't have a racist course but it's OK to have a course that homosexuality must be healed."

An Edinburgh University spokeswoman said: "The university is currently examining ways to find a solution to the issues surrounding the teaching of the Christian Union's Pure course on campus.

"There is no general ban on the Christian Union or any other religious group operating in the university and we strongly defend the right to free speech and freedom of conscience, but the nature and content of this course cause real difficulties for the university in the context of its commitment to equality and diversity.

"This is a complex and delicate matter and the university is working to strike a balance which will be acceptable to everyone involved, and is staying in close touch with Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) in this regard."