Spring Break
Christian fraternity turns away Mormon
Hunter Riley
Issue date: 9/9/08 Section: News
Freshman John Bundy wanted to join Kappa Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity on campus.
But he was denied admission because he is Mormon.
"They did all the things fraternities do, but they're centered around Christ," he said. "I was really interested in the student organization because they did retreats and services in the community."
Mark Nelson, president of the UNM chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi, said Bundy's faith doesn't fit with the fraternity's members.
"The basic requirement for members is that they have faith in Jesus Christ as their savior and they follow Biblical theology," Nelson said. "We follow the Bible alone as scripture. The (Church of Latter Day Saints) follows the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon."
Kappa Upsilon Chi is a national fraternity with 14 chapters in seven states. However, since it is chartered through the Student Activities Center, it's not part of the Inter-Fraternity Council and not subject to its rules and regulations.
There is no regulation about religious discrimination on the UNM student activities Web site, but all student organizations must abide by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited.
Director of Student Activities Debbie Morris said Kappa Upsilon Chi and other faith-based fraternities and sororities are under scrutiny at colleges across the country.
She said the groups are aware of the Civil Rights Act, but they claim they have the right to associate under the First Amendment.
"Those are two conflicting areas of law that come into play," she said. "It is very complex - which right supersedes the other."
Morris said many universities are involved in lawsuits with these faith-based groups. She declined to comment on UNM's stance.
Bundy said he was disappointed to be denied the opportunity to meet fellow students and participate in their activities.
"They said we could still be friends," he said. "It seems like since they are the Christian organization, they should accept all the different branches of Christianity."
Brent Webster, head of the national chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi, said the UNM branch was right in its actions.
"The statement of beliefs is what we ask every member to agree to be part of the organization," he said. "We require people not only to believe in those but also to be pursuing a relationship with Christ."
Webster said Mormons do not fit these requirements, but Baptists, Catholics and Methodists do.
"What Mormons believe is not a traditional Christian belief," he said. "We have different Christian denominations in our fraternity. There are doctrinal differences between the denominations, but we hold the same traditional beliefs."
Bundy has other options for getting involved with his fellow students on campus, Webster said.
"Our organization is a big fan of religious freedom, so we would encourage this young man to maybe start a Mormon fraternity at UNM," he said.
But he was denied admission because he is Mormon.
"They did all the things fraternities do, but they're centered around Christ," he said. "I was really interested in the student organization because they did retreats and services in the community."
Mark Nelson, president of the UNM chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi, said Bundy's faith doesn't fit with the fraternity's members.
"The basic requirement for members is that they have faith in Jesus Christ as their savior and they follow Biblical theology," Nelson said. "We follow the Bible alone as scripture. The (Church of Latter Day Saints) follows the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon."
Kappa Upsilon Chi is a national fraternity with 14 chapters in seven states. However, since it is chartered through the Student Activities Center, it's not part of the Inter-Fraternity Council and not subject to its rules and regulations.
There is no regulation about religious discrimination on the UNM student activities Web site, but all student organizations must abide by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited.
Director of Student Activities Debbie Morris said Kappa Upsilon Chi and other faith-based fraternities and sororities are under scrutiny at colleges across the country.
She said the groups are aware of the Civil Rights Act, but they claim they have the right to associate under the First Amendment.
"Those are two conflicting areas of law that come into play," she said. "It is very complex - which right supersedes the other."
Morris said many universities are involved in lawsuits with these faith-based groups. She declined to comment on UNM's stance.
Bundy said he was disappointed to be denied the opportunity to meet fellow students and participate in their activities.
"They said we could still be friends," he said. "It seems like since they are the Christian organization, they should accept all the different branches of Christianity."
Brent Webster, head of the national chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi, said the UNM branch was right in its actions.
"The statement of beliefs is what we ask every member to agree to be part of the organization," he said. "We require people not only to believe in those but also to be pursuing a relationship with Christ."
Webster said Mormons do not fit these requirements, but Baptists, Catholics and Methodists do.
"What Mormons believe is not a traditional Christian belief," he said. "We have different Christian denominations in our fraternity. There are doctrinal differences between the denominations, but we hold the same traditional beliefs."
Bundy has other options for getting involved with his fellow students on campus, Webster said.
"Our organization is a big fan of religious freedom, so we would encourage this young man to maybe start a Mormon fraternity at UNM," he said.
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stephen1
stephen1
posted 9/09/08 @ 8:24 AM MST
Truman G. Madsen, "Are Christians Mormon?," BYU Studies (1974) For a hundred and fifty years the question has been repeatedly asked worldwide, ?Are Mormons Christian?? We have struggled through the semantic tangles to answer that with an unqualified ?yes. (Continued…)
Fern RL
Fern RL
posted 9/09/08 @ 12:22 PM MST
For the sake of clarity and correctness, the full name of the so-called Mormon, or LDS church, is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
The Book of Mormon not only supports the teachings of the Bible, but the Bible also supports the concept of no closed canon. (Continued…)
Kaanapali
Kaanapali
posted 9/09/08 @ 1:17 PM MST
I hope I am Christian enough to accept the good in all Christian churches. Webster's Dictionary simply defines Christian "as a person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows his teachings". (Continued…)
Dannyboyle
Danny Boyle
posted 9/09/08 @ 2:01 PM MST
So here we enter a very hot debate and I would like to put this into perspective from a former KYX member and follower of Jesus Christ. The Webster's dictionary defines a Christian as a believer of Jesus Christ and a follower of HIS teachings. (Continued…)
clintgc
clint
posted 9/09/08 @ 2:55 PM MST
The debate re whether mormonism is a subset of Christianity is pointless. Wars have been fought over the definition of what counts as "Christian" and the publication of a book by Webster doesn't settle the debate. (Continued…)
Nerdy Lobo
Andres Saenz
posted 9/09/08 @ 8:37 PM MST
I find it completely ridiculous that a Mormon guy was not admitted into a Christian fraternity...I think that is a direct violation of the 1st Amendment(does the phrase "freedom of RELIGION" ring a bell??). (Continued…)
dabum2005
Diego
posted 9/09/08 @ 11:12 PM MST
Since when are Mormons not Christians?
Reading these comments and thoughts of others, which seems to me to be a little too much writing to answer a simple question. (Continued…)
growler
mateo
posted 9/10/08 @ 8:12 AM MST
how sad, the first tenet of Christianity preaches tolerance of others.
I guess that just means tolerance of others who believe the same things that you do. (Continued…)
manaen
manaen
posted 9/10/08 @ 11:48 AM MST
I'm a Mormon who believes this group has the right to accept or reject whomever they want.
Regarding the larger issue of ARE MORMONS CHRISTIAN, I offer these excerpts from "The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ. (Continued…)
Utah-New Mexican
Mike Gray
posted 9/10/08 @ 2:56 PM MST
I am a Christian, a UNM graduate and I have lived in Salt Lake City for almost 25 years. I find it interesting that again a Mormon would try to belong to a traditional Christian group. (Continued…)
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