"There is no question that you have students on Samford's campus whose understanding and practice of Christian life includes participating in faith communities that support and uplift LGBTQ+ persons."
Dear Dr. Taylor,
I am a graduate of Samford University. During my time at Samford, I participated in the University Fellows Program, the Preministerial Scholars Program, and was the co-director of the Samford Sunday preaching program. I proudly graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, with a specialization in Congregational Studies. I am currently an ordained Baptist minister, an endorsed pastoral counselor, and a licensed clinical mental health counselor in the state of North Carolina. As you can see from what little I've shared, I was deeply invested in the academic rigor and substantive faith life, and ministerial support that Samford University had to offer. Samford was one of the few Baptist academic institutions that practiced ecumenism while aligning with the rich history and tradition of Baptist life, practicing freedom of conscience in a way that drew me in and nurtured me into my next steps of ministry.
Therefore, I'm sure you can understand my complete dismay at learning about the recent decision of the University Minister, Bobby Gatlin, and the support of those decisions by the VP of Student Affairs, Phil Kimrey, whom I have sat in class with and had deeply respected until this incident. After reading Dr. Kimrey's statement, I particularly take offense that the inclusion of Christian denominations that support LGBTQ+ persons both existing in the church and becoming leaders in the church is not in line with Samford's mission, vision, or core values.
Reviewing that in more detail, I have some clarification questions that I feel need to be addressed. I've addressed specific statements from the mission, vision, and core values statements and would like to understand how this decision aligns with these statements.
1. "The mission of Samford University is to nurture person their development of intellect, faith, and personhood." A critical element of nurturing persons in their faith is connecting them to faith communities that represent their values and will encourage them to follow and grow in the path of Christian discipleship. An essential component of nurturing a person's personhood includes acknowledging they exist, have dignitiy, have needs, and are worthy of investing time and resources in to meet those needs. There is no question that you have students on Samford's campus whose understanding and practice of Christian life includes participating in faith communities that support and uplift LGBTQ+ persons. How are you nurturing these students' faith and personhood by not allowing communities that model their values to come alongside them in their spiritual and personal journey? There is no question that you have students on Samford's campus who are LGBTQ+. How are you nurturing these students' faith and personhood by not allowing communities on campus that would support and uplift them in their spiritual and personal journey?
2. "Anchored in Christian understanding, Samford University will be a diverse community..." How are you creating, maintaining, and nurturing a diverse community on Samford University's campus by deliberating limiting the diversity of partnership organizations and faith communities?
3. "The Samford community values lifelong.... Learning and responsible freedom of inquiry". Our definitions of freedom of inquiry may differ, but freedom of inquiry to me includes freedom to explore different ideologies, theologies, and philosophies, and the freedom to do so through the means of research and study that one deems most appropriate. How does limiting options for students to explore their faith through community organizations uphold the ideal of freedom of inquiry?
4. "The Samford community values lifelong.... appreciation for diverse cultures and convictions". If Samford is "banning" participating organizations from diverse cultures and convictions, how is Samford demonstrating that this is a core value? How can students and faculty appreciate diversity if they are not exposed to it?
I understand that Samford University, from its initial founding, is a Baptist-affiliated school. One of the most important hallmarks of Baptist faith is religious liberty, which came from our status as historic dissenters to religious establishmentarianism. Baptists are under no circumstances to suppress the religious liberty of other faith groups, It goes against our founding principles! Rev. Gatlin’s passion in these circumstances may be mainstream in some corners of Baptist life, but it is historically un-Baptist and unmoored from Baptist values.
I am deeply unsettled and disturbed by Rev. Gatlin's actions and the University's continued support, instead of immediate and swift corrective action of them. At present, if the University's position continues to stand by this decision and uphold this policy that goes against Samford's mission, vision, core values, and the experience I had at SU. I could not in good conscience send my daughter to my alma mater, recommend Samford University to prospective students, nor send philanthropic donations to the institution.
I cannot support or be a bystander to the harm that has and will be done to LGBTQ+ students, the harm that has and will be done to many students of differing Christian denominations, and the destruction of the Samford University community through the eroding of ecumenism. I also continue to have grave concerns over other aspects of Rev. Gatlin's ministry at Samford University given how unaligned his current actions have been with Samford's mission, vision, and core values.
Respectfully,
Rev. Alyssa Szymanski Botte (SU Class of 2013)
Rev. Alyssa Szymanski Botte, MA, MDiv, LCMHC, NCC
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor & Ordained Baptist minister