A Letter

The following letter (with the names removed) was sent to a couple of college friends from a long, long, long time ago. Like many others, they questioned whether the assertion of my rights was the best Christian response. I believe it was and would do it again for some of the reasons that are below (and some others that are more personal). I hope this helps some understand why we did what we did.



March 14, 2007


Dear C & B,
Thanks for your note and your expression of care and prayer. I appreciate both your question and the spirit in which you asked it. Others have had similar questions so I will try my best to help you understand my perspective on the “rights” issue.

I guess if life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights – rights given to us by God according to our country’s Christian founding fathers – then I am guilty as charged in asserting my rights. That first right has particular significance to me because the ignorance and hate of society, often especially from Christians, almost caused the end of my life. Because of the university’s decision to, I believed, violate federal and state laws, I became severely depressed at the contract restrictions placed on me. One day I sat with a gun in my lap and actually composed an email that began with the words, “By the time you read this, I will be dead.” In that moment, I decided that instead of taking my life I would stand up to bigotry and discrimination for myself and thousands like me who have no voice. To me “asserting my rights” is on a higher, Godly plane than submitting – not to God – but to a perversion of Christianity that uses Christian language to defend hate, exclusion, and bullying.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, Spring Arbor University (SAU) willing committed to prescribed standards of non-discrimination. SAU’s EEO statement and statement on their commitment to diversity were even stronger. In filing my EEO complaint I was simply trying to help SAU be an institution of integrity by holding them accountable for commitments they had publicly made. I guess that can also be seen as “asserting my rights” but it is also an issue of corporate integrity and Christian witness. Should Christian organizations be able to get the significant benefits gained by being an EEO employer while ignoring EEO law? Should religious organizations be allowed to discriminate by clothing their bigotry in the robes of Christianity? I don’t think so, so I asserted my rights and filed a complaint. I only did this after having 11 people of Christian maturity pray with me about this. I asked them (some of them university employees and some quite conservative) if they saw any “yellow or red lights” in my intended action. None did and 8 of the 11 said, “You need to do this right away.”

At another level, my actions were for more than just me. There are thousands who share my medical diagnosis and treatment who are unable or unwilling to stand up for their rights. In consequence they often suffer the loss of jobs, family, health, and sometimes life itself. For over a month, I have heard from people all across the world at the rate of 10-12 letters or emails a day saying that my actions give them hope. I have spoken at a number of college and university campuses, averaged 2-3 media interviews a day (print, radio, and TV), and will be testifying before state legislators in April and Congress in May. Joanne and I have consistently seen God’s hand in this and see the actions of Christ for the disenfranchised as a powerful example for us to follow. Two people have said that my actions have given them enough hope to go on with life. The disenfranchised need the voice of others.

I guess if you were to be consistent in arguing against “asserting our rights” one would have to have been opposed to the abolitionists and suffragettes, Martin Luther King, and the modern day advocates of disability rights. Slavery would still exist, women would still be treated like property, Blacks would be still riding in the back of the bus, and the disabled would still be expected to sell pencils on the curbside. Joanne and I have responded to God’s call in our life and, in the process, have grown immeasurably stronger in our relationship to each other and more confident than ever of our faithfulness to His rule in our lives. We believe – in contrast to some in the Church – that Christ died for people like me as well as them.

Even the Apostle Paul asserted his rights (with little hope of success) when he perceived a greater good available. Ultimately we may have little hope for immediate victory (although our discrimination case has reached a mediated settlement with which we are very happy), but do believe it is still worth the effort. At Eastern Michigan University on Monday night, Joanne and I spoke for about 45 minutes and then took questions for nearly an hour. Near the end of that time a student stood up and made a statement instead of asking a question. She said, “You two have changed my life forever. I now have a new definition of love.” You see, as we have been telling our story we have had opportunities to share our love and our faith. Jesus said, “My disciples will be known by their love.” We are excited about sharing that love.

So, if you can keep praying we both will appreciate it. Feel free to keep asking questions. If you want to email me, I will be glad to send you more information. Thank you again for taking the time to reach out and express your concern and care.

All the best.

Your sister in Christ,


Julie Nemecek