In the wake of growing student concern, a forum dedicated to discussing and dispelling myths surrounding the evangelical minister Franklin Graham’s planned visit to Binghamton University this summer attracted nearly 40 students Thursday night.
The forum, organized by the Student Association’s vice president for multicultural affairs, David Bass, was hosted in an effort to prevent backlash from Graham’s comments on the Muslim faith, Hurricane Katrina victims, homosexuality and AIDS.
Graham is slated to visit the Events Center as part of the Franklin Graham Festival from June 8 to 10, but his views have been drawing attention from both his opponents and student groups sponsoring his appearance. Bass held the forum in an effort to prevent the comments the minister has made from causing dissent among the student population.
‘The worst thing that could happen in campus would be for the negative feelings felt towards Franklin Graham to turn into negative feelings towards Christian students,’ he said. ‘Or for Franklin Graham’s negative comments to eradicate the respect for diversity that has become a staple of our University.’
Participants spoke in turns and were careful to remain respectful. Members of various organizations, such as the Rainbow Pride Union, Student Action Collective and the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, were present at the forum.
One of the main topics of discussion was whether or not Graham should be allowed to hold his festival on campus.
‘I think it’s pretty difficult to argue that some of the things that Franklin Graham has said can be taken out of context ‘ I mean, there’s only so many ways that you can say ‘Islam is an evil religion.’ But at the same token, I still feel that he should be allowed to speak on campus,’ said senior psychology and multicultural studies major Alan Weissman. ‘As far as the communities that might not agree with his philosophies and ideologies go, it’s giving us an opportunity to band together and raise awareness about these issues ‘ I would encourage anyone that disagrees with Franklin Graham to show up at the event and voice your disagreement instead of keeping people in the dark about this ignorance that is being preached elsewhere.’
Graham has attracted national media attention for describing Islam as a ‘very evil and very wicked religion’ and for describing the spread of AIDS as a punishment for homosexuality.
There were strong opinions voiced on both sides of the issue of whether or not Graham should be allowed to hold his festival on campus. While many stated that his presence would only bring awareness to the issues of which he has preached, others felt that by allowing the event to take place, the University is in violation of its own policy.
While the University approves of Graham’s visit, several student groups, including the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Chi Alpha (Christ Ambassadors), Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC), the Fellowship of Christian University Students and Binghamton University Gospel Choir, are sponsoring the event.
‘BU discrimination policy states that the University will not allow acts of bigotry, harassment or intimidation directed at a member of the Binghamton University community based on national origin, ethnicity, age ‘ The point is that he violates many of those claims and if we don’t speak up for this now, then what will happen next?’ said senior queer studies major Adam Friedman. ‘They promised us that our rights would be protected here and they’re violating that. Why should we put up with that?’
Members of several of the student groups on campus that endorsed Graham’s event also spoke up at the event, expressing concern over the controversy and possible censorship of the event.
‘I didn’t come prepared to defend Franklin Graham,’ said InterVarsity Christian Fellowship campus staff member Carrie Moorhead. ‘My question is that the objection seems to be two-fold. Sometimes the objection is that he is this man himself, but sometimes it seems to be that he is a Christian speaker at all. It would concern me more if we wanted to censor a Christian speaker at all than if these feelings were just running deep for Franklin Graham.’
Regardless of opinion on whether or not Graham should be allowed on campus, many forum participants emphasized the necessity to band together in addressing the issue
‘I think that we should wear a Katrina button. Wear a rainbow button. Show your support and go to this event,’ said junior management major and RPU Director of Marketing Carlos Ali. ‘Show that even if you are a Christian that believes that homosexual people should have rights too, that you can still believe in your religion and wear a rainbow button too.’