The issue of gay rights is one of the most complex and heated debates in our country.One of the primary factors responsible for the vehemence with which the issue is raised is religion.  The Bible contains numerous passages that speak out against homosexuality as a sin. Consequently, most Christians regard same-sex couples with varying degrees of disapproval, from uneasy guilt to absolute hatred.Unfortunately, tensions between the two groups can sometimes lead to tragic conflicts.Earlier this month, Eastern Michigan University dismissed a counseling studies graduate student because of her beliefs on homosexuality.  Julea Ward was thrown out of the school after she enrolled in a class where she provided counseling under faculty supervision.  During the process, she was given a client who wanted counseling concerning a homosexual relationship.Because of unease with a same-sex relationship — an unease rooted in her Christian faith — Ward asked if she could either see the patient and refer them if it became necessary or simply refer them outright. The client was referred to another counselor.Later EMU initiated disciplinary procedures against Ward. They issued an ultimatum — either she “affirmed homosexual behavior” as a counselor or face expulsion.Ward refused to compromise her religious beliefs and was dismissed from EMU.Now the conservative legal group Allied Defense Fund is filing a lawsuit on behalf of Ward, claiming EMU violated Ward’s religious rights.One of the most explosive claims in the lawsuit is the school’s faculty attempted to make Ward undergo a “remediation” program, where she would “see the error of her ways” and change her “belief system.”This incident brings to the front a divisive issue — is a Christian belief that homosexuality is immoral a prejudice that merits disciplinary action?The answer isn’t easy.It’s important to realize Christian reactions to homosexuality cover the entire spectrum of vehemence. Few believers ascribe to the Fred Phelps (“God Hates Fags”) school of thought.In fact, the debate among Christians about how to deal with homosexuality rages as strongly in churches as it does in the secular arena. There are churches with gay pastors, and some denominations are close to complete fracturing over this issue alone.Therefore, we must immediately disqualify the common myth that Christians are reactionary homophobes.Though the Allied Defense Fund is notorious for exactly this kind of reactionary conservatism, in this case, it is justified in defending Ward.If Ward and the ADF are giving an accurate account of the events, then EMU’s misconduct is grievous indeed.  According to the lawsuit, Ward was dismissed because of a refusal to “affirm homosexual behavior.”What EMU failed to recognize is a mistake common to many on the far left — there is a huge difference between tolerance and affirmation.Ward was not dismissed for being intolerant.  She did not use hate speech concerning the client she was assigned.  She didn’t attempt to convert the client, and she didn’t tell that client his relationship was sinful. She didn’t even outright dismiss the possibility of seeing the client.EMU — a public university — should not have removed Ward because of her beliefs.  An employer has the right to control its employees’ behavior — not their beliefs. The only crimes Ward is guilty of is finding a potential conflict of interest with a client, then pointing out the conflict and asking the client to be referred.  Her behavior is definitely not grounds for dismissal — in fact, it’s commendable.EMU cannot have issue with her actions.  Instead, they have a problem with her beliefs.And dismissal because of belief is something that should make any student cringe.Matthew Albright is a 20-year old mass communication sophomore from Baton Rouge.–Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]