And the Truth Shall Set You Free ...
After hesitating for months and years in the hope of achieving some form of reconciliation, Marie has finally accepted the Truth: that, given the cruel history of her treatment at Southwest Baptist University and among Missouri Baptists, there is no place for her -- as a now-disabled student -- at Southwest Baptist University or within the Southern Baptist Convention of churches.
Over the Twelve Days of Christmas, Marie has finally accepted a "calling" to a new university -- with an academic program specifically designed for chemically injured students, a gracious, tender-hearted faculty and administration, a knowledgeable and competent medical staff and generous health insurance benefits, and an eco-friendly campus.
It's a secular university and Marie will not be able to her honor her father's dying wish to complete her education at a Christian university. Citing the exemption in the in the Americans with Disabilities Act (which permits religious institutions to refuse to accommodate disabled students), no Christian university has accepted Marie.
Nonetheless, on the basis of Christ's call for social justice, the honoring and stewardship of all life, and the compassion for all people, Marie was also provisionally accepted and accommodated (after she completes her Bachelor's degree) into graduate school at a liberally caring seminary.
Answering this call will require that Marie relocates as soon as possible; thus, she has written to request that the First Baptist Church of Bolivar indicate their willingness to receive the Trinity Contract materials by this Monday, January 12, 2009.
This letter to the First Baptist Church of Bolivar will be posted shortly.
