 | Name: Southwest Baptist University Location: Bolivar, MO Religious Affiliation: Southern Baptist Enrollment: 3,600 Website: http://www.sbuniv.edu Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Concerning GLBT Equality:
The Southwest Baptist University 2006-07 student handbook includes the following:
PRINCIPLE: Scripture teaches that believers are set apart to God’s purpose through sanctification, but will sin. Scripture also demands that believers demonstrate a lifestyle that is distinctively different from that of non-believers.
EXPECTATION: A Christian lifestyle is expected of all members of the University family. It consists of demonstrating those attitudes produced by the gift of the Spirit, practicing truthfulness in all relationships or activities, and exhibiting our dedication to Christ through our commitment to excellence in daily work or academic activities. A Christian lifestyle avoids such specific sins as greed; jealousy; pride; lust; bitterness; uncontrolled anger; prejudice based on race, sex, or socioeconomic status; use of alcohol as an intoxicant; substance abuse; stealing; profanity; dishonesty; occult practices; illegal activities; use of pornography; and sexual sins, such as pre-marital sex, adultery, and homosexual behavior.
PRINCIPLE: Scripture teaches that heterosexual union is the only acceptable expression of sexuality and must be reserved for marriage and insists on sexual abstinence for those who are unmarried.
EXPECTATION: All members of the University family should abstain from unbiblical sexual practices and from behavior which may lead to a violation of Go d’s standards on sexual activities.
PRINCIPLE: God’s ideal for marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Scripture views marriage as a witness to the permanent relationship between Christ and His Church and the family as God’s first institution.
EXPECTATION: The University has a concern over the increasing pressure being placed by external and internal forces on the institution of marriage. It recognizes the struggle of those within the University family who strive to keep their marriages stable under these pressures. Nevertheless, members o f the University community should not enter into divorce except under the most severe circumstances and then only after pursuing all possible options, including counseling, and after considering the impact of divorce on their families, their personal lives, and their professional responsibilities at SBU.
The Southwest Baptist University student handbook can be viewed as a PDF here.