University Minister Ira DeSpain spoke to students and members of the Gay-Straight Alliance Sept. 27 on the topic of homosexuality and how it is addressed in the Bible.

DeSpain said his goal was to not change any minds on the subject, but to bring forth information to students so they could make their own opinions on the controversial topic.

He started off by addressing the fact that the Bible is interpreted in many ways, and depending on what a student believes would be how one would respond to the topic.

DeSpain formed how he would address the topic from many different experiences he has had and from his own research.

“I will tell you what my opinions are, and you need to know they are informed and researched opinions. I didn’t just pull them out of the air,” DeSpain said.

DeSpain, who has been the University Minister at Baker for more than 20 years, has been able to see the change in how homosexuality has been perceived and the development of homosexuality as an orientation. He went on to explain that many of the disagreements come from the way people interpret the Bible’s stance about homosexuality.

“I am more on the side that scripture is inspired and interpreted word of God, but written by people, and that is how I start my thinking on sexual orientation in the Bible,” DeSpain said.

During the presentation, DeSpain explained to students that at the time the Bible was written, it was interpreted that homosexuality was not an orientation, but a perversion and that those who acted in this way were choosing to do so. But over the years, it was been understood and accepted that homosexuality is in fact an orientation and those who are homosexual do not choose to be.

DeSpain said he suspected that because of the negativity that has been shown to homosexuals over the past decade, many wish they could choose their orientation because no one wants to be discriminated against or isolated. He closed the discussion by saying that he felt that there is no difference between a gay or straight person because everyone is equal in God’s eyes.

After DeSpain finished speaking, he opened up to the students attending for questions.

“Like Ira said, the goal was the open up dialogue and make it easier to talk about on campus,” sophomore Katy Westhoff said. “It’s an important topic to discuss just because it is so divisive and because it does have an impact on people’s lives.”

Students who attended the event along with GSA adviser Matthew Potterton thought that the event went well and the information given was informative.

“I think we had a good turn out for tonight and would certainly be open to do more in the future,” Potterton said.