Sour note struck as NC Christian capella group expels singer for his ‘gay views’

A GAY senior at the University North Carolina has been slung out of a group he has been part of since his freshman year.

The reason, according to  Psalm 100 chief Blake Templeton was that Will Thomason was removed for his opinions about homosexuality, not for his sexual orientation — his views had clashed with the Bible.

Members of Psalm 100

Psalm 100, according to this report, is a student organisation that is recognised by the university and must follow the school’s non-discrimination policy. The university will be investigating whether Psalm 100 violated the policy, according to Winston Crisp, vice chancellor for student affairs.

The policy says university-sanctioned groups may limit membership to those who share the group’s beliefs but cannot prohibit members for individual characteristics, including sexual orientation.

Zealan Hoover, student body vice president, has asked the student solictor general to prepare a legal brief, as well as the student body treasurer to prepare a list of the funds allocated to the group. If the organization does not abide by university policies, it will no longer be recognized by the school.

Meanwhile, this report says critics are lambasting the group for its “intolerance” in posts to its Facebook page and letters to the campus newspaper, which first reported the story, but Psalm 100′s members say they made their decision only after many tears and lots of prayer.

Templeton said the decision was tough, especially because so many people thought it was done out of hatred.

That’s so far from the truth. I want the power of God’s love to be so, so clear.

Templeton stressed that the group made its decision out of love for Thomason, not hate.

Joseph Shelley, a sophomore in the group, said the decision was the most difficult he had ever had to make. Two members quit after the vote, leaving the group with eight singers.

Psalm 100, whose mission is “to spread the joy of the Lord through song,” operates under a constitution based on Biblical standards, and the group concluded that Thomason’s views on the group’s constitution did not match up with its standards.

The university’s official policy seems to support the group’s ability to expel a member based on religious belief. It says:

Student organizations that select their members on the basis of commitment to a set of beliefs (eg, religious or political beliefs) may limit membership and participation in the organization to students who…support the organization’s goals and agree with its beliefs.

However, the same policy says a student cannot be excluded from membership based on “sexual orientation.”

Despite the controversy and criticism, Psalm 100′s remaining members say they believe the situation will bring God glory.

Templeton called the controversy a good thing on a “campus where God is seldom talked about.” While its decision might have lost the group some friends around campus, it does not appear to have damaged its relationship with the one person most affected  Will Thomason:

I love all members of Psalm 100 and know they love me as well.