Welcome to Allies, Too!

This project was created to provide a chance for Christian students to show that, in the diversity of opinion, people with differing--and even opposing--viewpoints can still work together to build a community of tolerance and respect.

How can you get involved? It's easy! Go to our Campaign page to learn about how you can make an impact on your campus and community with Allies, Too.

The End of the Culture Wars

For too long, issues like homosexuality and abortion have gotten so divisive that healthy, honest debate has gone out the window and people feel pressured to choose between one of two polar opposites--neither of which seems quite right. In the end, people end up misunderstanding, hating and attacking one another.

We believe our generation can bring it to an end.

Tolerance doesn't mean conformity of beliefs. It doesn't mean one point of view is upheld and others are silenced. It doesn't mean labelling a belief you don't agree with as hatred so you don't have to deal with it.

Tolerance means we can respectfully express our differences, but then put them aside and cooperate on the things we can agree on, like safety, fair treatment, and kindness.

Wait a minute, aren't you the ones who hate gays?

If that's what you think, it's about time you stop believing the lie that people with different beliefs about sexuality hate those who embrace homosexuality. We don't. We don't want to hurt others, and our goal isn't for anyone to be unhappy.

Sexuality is a complex issue, and people have a lot of strong beliefs about it for a lot of good reasons. Refer to our FAQ and Links sections for more information on what we believe, but from the get-go we want everyone to understand our hearts.

After all, if someone really believes that so many people out there hate them, it's got to make that person sad, angry, and really frustrated. Nobody has to feel that way, because it isn't about hate.

But don't you just want to force your religious beliefs on everyone else?

No. Of course we prefer our beliefs and want to share them with the rest of the world--otherwise they wouldn't really be our beliefs, would they?--but speaking out and trying to convince others is a very different thing from forcing them to live a certain way.

Everyone has the right to choose their beliefs, their lifestyles and their goals. Everyone has the right to share and defend their viewpoints, and even try to bring others to their side by doing so.

Nobody has the right to silence others. Someone else's take on an issue might offend you--that's democracy. You have the right to be offended; you don't have the right to keep others from offending you.

And besides, we often get offended more because of our ideas about someone's beliefs (which can be inaccurate). If you let people articulate their own views--rather than letting their opponents distort it--you might find it's less offensive than you really thought.