The two major reasons why Millenials are rejecting Christianity more so than previous generations are the religion’s anti-science and anti-LGBT views.
According to a study by the Public Religion Research Institute, nearly one-third of Millennials left the told researchers it was “negative teachings” or “negative treatment” related to gays and lesbians.
Clarks Summit University in Pennsylvania is a Christian institution emblematic of the type of Christian homophobia which is turing away the formerly-faithful in droves.
The private, Christian university rejected the application of returning student, Gary Campbell, 35, because he is gay. Campbell is just six credits shy of the number needed to graduate.
“I was heartbroken. I was hurt and essentially I just … felt like I was punched in the gut again,” Campbell said in an interview with WBRE-TV. “I always spoke highly of the school. I thought it was a great school with a great staff, and for them to do this to me, it just felt like a slap in the face,” he said.
Campbell attended the university when it was called Baptist Bible College from 2001 and 2003 and then enlisted in the United States Navy. After Campbell’s service, he battled alcoholism, and has been sober for two years.
“It doesn’t make sense to me why I can’t get the same fair treatment,” he said.
Campbell’s rejction has inspired people to suport him on social media via #LetGaryGraduate.
The school rationalized its institutional bigotry in a statement sent to FOX 56:
Clarks Summit University’s decision prompted nearby Lackawanna College to offer Campbell the chance to finish his degree.
“This is right in our mission … of providing opportunities for young men and women who really want to better themselves,” Mark Volk, Lackawanna College’s president, said.
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