Josh Ritter protests Pa. Christian college’s policy on gays after playing show

GRANTHAM, Pa. – Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter says he won’t play a central Pennsylvania Christian college again unless it changes its policy against “homosexual behaviour.”

Ritter made the announcement on Facebook hours after playing a Friday night concert at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., southwest of Harrisburg.

Messiah students and staff have to sign a “community covenant” promising to avoid homosexual behaviour and premarital sex.

Ritter calls the policy exclusionary and bigoted. He says he’s donating his fee to an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services.

Messiah spokeswoman Beth Lorow says the administration is disappointed that Ritter is speaking in favour of tolerance but isn’t applying those principles to their religious freedoms.

Ritter talked about the policy during the show. Lorow says his comments on stage weren’t as harsh as his Facebook posting.

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Online

Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/joshrittermusic/posts/10151431221117709