This reflection was offered by IFFP Teen Elena Callway Kleiner at our Teen-Led Gathering on April 19th, 2026.
In the fall of 2025, Samantha Fulnecky, a student at the University of Oklahoma, received a zero on a psychology essay—an event which sparked national debate across both Christian and academic communities. In her assignment, Fulnecky referred to society’s acceptance of transgender individuals as “demonic,” effectively condoning the harassment of students who do not conform to gender norms. Her sole reference was an ideological construct created within the institution of Christianity, rather than the Bible itself. The teaching assistant who graded her paper was a transgender woman. After Fulnecky received her score, she filed a complaint with the school administration on the basis of religious discrimination. The professor who upheld the grade was ultimately dismissed from the university.
Fulnecky’s essay was a reflective response to a scientific article that presented data showing that children who do not conform to societal gender norms are more likely to face harassment from their peers. Fulnecky argued that the bullying of these children was justified by God’s intentionality in human creation. Writing that she didn’t necessarily see [teasing] as a problem. Let me say that again. She said that it was okay to discriminate against children because of their gender identity.
According to the TA’s feedback, she failed the assignment due to a number of factors, none of which related to her use of religion, but solely based on the rubric given.
When the situation became publicized, some people jumped to Fulnecky’s defense, claiming that she was a victim of anti-Christian discrimination, targeted due to her choice to cite the Bible. Others argued that religious texts are never valid sources in academic contexts. However, I think her use of the Bible as support was not inherently the problem. Instead, the issue lies in how she used it and how her hateful message contradicts the themes of the Bible.
In this community and in my home, I have been raised with the idea that we are meant to embrace the acceptance, humility, and grace expressed in Jesus’ love. It hurts me to see people who identify as Christians condoning actions that hurt one’s neighbor—especially in the name of God.
Yet, a large group of people, mainly on social media, support her. They praised her supposed courage in defending the Bible, saying she was right to stand up for her “Christian beliefs.”
This support baffles me. The Bible is meant to be used to spread love, not to degrade another person for their identity, or to tease children.
Our own Reverend Sam said, “Far too often, the Bible is used as a weapon instead of its intended purpose, which is to highlight a God who is love..”
I also talked to Reverend Trudy Stringer, my mom’s former theology professor at Vanderbilt. She reflected on the role of Jesus in society amid the current social climate. Stringer wondered how a faith so intentional in the helping of people could cause individuals like Fulnecky to act out of such hate.
According to Pastor Matt Klingler from The Well Community Church in Silver Spring, religious groups have long used their values as an excuse for exclusion and hate—exactly what Jesus stands against. Pastor Matt said, “This is an age-old problem where [a] religious group often ostracizes or judges another group. In the Bible, the Pharisees were probably the most religious of [Jesus’] time. When Jesus shows up on the scene, they end up hating him because he is so loving and kind and values all people, no matter who they are.”
Personally, I disagree with Fulnecky’s view that the acceptance of transgender people is not permitted by the Bible. Regardless of one’s interpretation of the Bible, though, a hateful message rooted in judgment against another cannot be justified.
This takes me back to what I believe is the true intention of the Bible in a Christian context: to live and love like Jesus. In my conversation with Reverend Sam, she implored me to become more thoughtful in my perspective if I ever find myself tempted by a message in the Bible to act without love and kindness. She told me,“If the Bible is inviting you to treat your neighbor unfairly, it’s an invitation for you to stop and to spend some more time in the text to find where God’s love and justice come alive.”
The words and actions of Samantha Fulnecky—and the divisive debates that followed—are deeply troubling. To subscribe to Christian values means following the guidance and teachings of Jesus: to spread God’s love through word and action. We must live constantly in the biblical truth that we are meant to love one another.
Everything I just read was from an article I wrote for my school newspaper. I keep pondering this question: if both Fulnecky and I are using our faith to voice what we think is right, what differentiates the validity of our arguments?
Last week, I went to Bible club, where we read from 2 Timothy. While writing this letter, Paul is imprisoned for preaching the teachings of Jesus and is writing to Timothy to comfort and inspire him amidst the fear of persecution. Chapter 1 verse 7 says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
This verse is asking us to use the energy of God’s love in staying disciplined to spread love in God’s name, rather than use our faith to push our own agenda or hurt others out of fear or misunderstanding.
This is what Fulnecky claims she is doing, but I fear she is missing the point. While I think fighting for justice is living out God’s will, I do not see what she is fighting for as just. The reason I bring up this event is to highlight one of many times when the religious group falls back on social constructs within the religious community, like the Pharisees, rather than use their faith to fulfill its true purpose.
Being interfaith gives us an advantage in living out this purpose. While I wish we didn’t have to question it so often, being interfaith inherently causes us to ask ourselves questions that even the most pious individuals don’t have to, as we constantly have to qualify to ourselves and to others the validity of our faith.
To tie this back to the message of my article, we often get caught up in the nuances of modern religion by conforming with the expectations of those around us. A strong relationship with God inevitably comes with an unshakable love that we emit to the world in our words, actions, and attitudes. One of our vehicles for strengthening this relationship is our interfaith identity and community.
In today’s reading, we heard, “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” This verse is seminal to what drives my connection with God, as these aspects of our behavior as humans are what come from pursuing a profound divine relationship. In tandem with the message of the verse from 2 Timothy, we must remain disciplined in doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. We must do these instead of falling prey to oppressive ideologies that hurt people to preserve our place in society.
Overall, in this experience of exploring my faith outside our community in my writing and at school, my understanding of what it means to be a Child of God has been strengthened. So, let’s remind ourselves of Reverend Sam’s message — “If the Bible is inviting you to treat your neighbor unfairly, it’s an invitation for you to stop and to spend some more time in the text to find where God’s love and justice come alive.”
We make religion so complex, trying to weigh what is right and what isn’t, when the purpose is so clear and simple. In this spirit of love and justice and self-discipline, how is God asking you, and how is God asking us as a community, to spread love today?
