New Group Pursues Gomes' Resignation

Five Harvard undergraduates formed an organization this week to campaign for the resignation of Rev. Peter J. Gomes, the minister of Memorial Church.

The group, calling itself Concerned Christians at Harvard, is demanding that Gomes--who is gay--step down as minister because he preaches that homosexuality is not a sin.

Gomes, Plummer professor of Christian morals, announced he is gay at a rally last November protesting a special issue of Peninsula devoted to homosexuality. Several student leaders and University officials said the journal was offensive.

The new group--which has not been recognized by the College--plans to table in the dining halls to gather support for their campaign against Gomes, according to Sumner E. Anderson '92, the organization's chair.

Although the group currently includes only five members, Anderson said he expected between 80 and 100 people to join the organization.

Kenneth D. DeGiorgio '93, co-founder of the Association Against Learning in the Absence of Religion and Morality (AALARM), said that his group supports the efforts to seek Gomes' resignation.

DeGiorgio said that a "possible candlelight vigil" on the steps of Memorial Church may be in the works.

Gomes could not be reached for comment last night.

In an interview with the Harvard Gazette last week, Gomes denied Anderson's request for his resignation.

Gomes said that "homosexuality is not inconsistent with a Christian life and a life of piety and devotion; that homosexuality and Christian faith are neither irreconcilable nor contradictions."

"The Bible is not a thesaurus for moral living," he added. "It is one of a means by which faithful Christians try to carve out in a rough-and-ready world a way to make their lives better and more responsible."

The new organization consists of Anderson, Christopher B. Brown '94, Robert K. Wasinger '94, E. Adam Webb '93 and Thomas E. Woods '94. Wasinger is the president of AALARM and Webb is a co-founder.

Anderson contended that his group does not object to Gomes because he is gay but because he violates teachings of the Bible, which Anderson says forbids homosexuality.

"He refuses to recognize the sinfulness of his actions," said Anderson. "Homosexuals are fully welcome into the Christian church so long as they profess that they are sinful."

Wasinger said Gomes' interpretation of theBible alone disqualifies him from his MemorialChurch post. "If Gomes were repentant of hishomosexuality,...there wouldn't be a need to callfor his resignation," said Wasinger.

But some faculty and students contactedyesterday strongly condemned the new organizationand its views.

Sandra Cavazos '92, co-chair of Bisexual Gayand Lesbian Students Association, said she"vehemently" disagrees with the view thatChristian homosexuals must repent for sinning.

"It is possible to be a Christian and to loveGod and to still be gay," said Cavazos.

Anderson said his group does not questionGomes' position on the faculty, only his post atMemorial Church.

Anderson stressed that his group is notlaunching a personal vendetta against Gomes but isobjecting to his performance as Harvard's"spiritual leader."

"Love the sinner and despise the sin," saidAnderson, adding, "What [Gomes] is really doing ispreaching the gospel of Gomes instead of thegospel of Christ."

Anderson said he has received support from"people who stopped attending Memorial Churchafter Gomes' newly-announced beliefs."

Divinity School professors interviewedyesterday said the new group is interpreting theBible too literally and disputed the call forGomes' resignation.

Morison Professor of New Testament StudiesHelmut H. Koester acknowledged that the Bible isagainst homosexuality but said "that only comes ifyou are a Biblical literalist."

Assistant Professor of the Old TestamentTheodore Hiebert said parts of the Bible may notbe appropriate to a contemporary code of socialethics.

"The question that all people have to ask aboutBiblical material is which material they considerto be relevant to be followed today and whichnot," Hiebert said.

Hiebert pointed out that many parts of theBible are outdated. For example, polygamy isaccepted in the Bible but illegal today, he said.

Barbara E. Johnson, chair of the Women'sStudies Department, said that the new organizationis unfairly judging Gomes by its own standards.

"No one holds a patent on the teaching ofChristianity," said Johnson. "The church isconstantly in the process of rediscovering what aChristian life is."

She said that Gomes' announcement that he isgay has only served to help the church andencourage its development.

"An honest debate on controversial issues isstrengthening for the church," said Johnson. "Ithink [Gomes has] shown great moral courage.

Wasinger said Gomes' interpretation of theBible alone disqualifies him from his MemorialChurch post. "If Gomes were repentant of hishomosexuality,...there wouldn't be a need to callfor his resignation," said Wasinger.

But some faculty and students contactedyesterday strongly condemned the new organizationand its views.

Sandra Cavazos '92, co-chair of Bisexual Gayand Lesbian Students Association, said she"vehemently" disagrees with the view thatChristian homosexuals must repent for sinning.

"It is possible to be a Christian and to loveGod and to still be gay," said Cavazos.

Anderson said his group does not questionGomes' position on the faculty, only his post atMemorial Church.

Anderson stressed that his group is notlaunching a personal vendetta against Gomes but isobjecting to his performance as Harvard's"spiritual leader."

"Love the sinner and despise the sin," saidAnderson, adding, "What [Gomes] is really doing ispreaching the gospel of Gomes instead of thegospel of Christ."

Anderson said he has received support from"people who stopped attending Memorial Churchafter Gomes' newly-announced beliefs."

Divinity School professors interviewedyesterday said the new group is interpreting theBible too literally and disputed the call forGomes' resignation.

Morison Professor of New Testament StudiesHelmut H. Koester acknowledged that the Bible isagainst homosexuality but said "that only comes ifyou are a Biblical literalist."

Assistant Professor of the Old TestamentTheodore Hiebert said parts of the Bible may notbe appropriate to a contemporary code of socialethics.

"The question that all people have to ask aboutBiblical material is which material they considerto be relevant to be followed today and whichnot," Hiebert said.

Hiebert pointed out that many parts of theBible are outdated. For example, polygamy isaccepted in the Bible but illegal today, he said.

Barbara E. Johnson, chair of the Women'sStudies Department, said that the new organizationis unfairly judging Gomes by its own standards.

"No one holds a patent on the teaching ofChristianity," said Johnson. "The church isconstantly in the process of rediscovering what aChristian life is."

She said that Gomes' announcement that he isgay has only served to help the church andencourage its development.

"An honest debate on controversial issues isstrengthening for the church," said Johnson. "Ithink [Gomes has] shown great moral courage.