Brandon Davies, Brigham Young and Faith: Was the School Right to Suspend Player?

Brandon Davies was suspended for having consensual sexual relations.

There are a host of opinions being floated about as to whether the school was right or wrong to do what they did. In doing so, those who question BYU's decision cross a line which shouldn't be crossed, and they do so with alarming hypocrisy. 

Consider the facts. Davies grew up across the street from the school. He had a student handbook detailing the Honor Code which he agreed to when he agreed to attend the school, and when he agreed to accept a scholarship. He chose to go to school at BYU. 

He was adopted into a Mormon family, and as far as I can tell, must be a Mormon himself. He agreed to the Honor Code, and let's not rush to judgment that he agreed to it "so he could go to school there" or "to get the scholarship." After all, he had other offers to other schools. 

Perhaps he went to BYU because of his faith?

It's amazing that through all of the hype and controversy around this that people don't consider what Davies thinks of the decision. The Huffington Post reports that Davies is said to be "extremely remorseful" and "heartbroken" over the situation and he's accepted the punishment.

The facts are these. There is an honor code in place. Davies went to school there knowing what the code was. Davies admitted to the infraction. Davies agrees with, and accepts, the punishment.

Isn't it possible that he sincerely is not disappointed in the school, but in himself? Doesn't his response and acceptance indicate this?

It raises the question, who is anyone to question these things?

The consensual sex wasn't the only thing that happened between consenting adults. So was the acceptance of the honor code. So was the confession of that violation. So was the administration and acceptance of the punishment.

It's ironic that when people talk about what happens between consenting adults not being anyone's business, they try and inject their opinion into something that happens between consenting adults. 

Imagine the outrage that would follow if, in a secular school, the same punishment were meted out for the same infraction? Can you imagine the fury? Such retaliation would be justified. We would be up in arms. "How dare you impose your morals on someone else?" the nation would ask.

Yet, in this situation, there are many who don't hesitate to do just that. Because someone has a different moral standard, we impose our standard onto them. The question of whether the school was right to act as they did is moot. The question we should be asking is what right do we have to even ask the question? 

I am not a Mormon, but I do believe that people have the right to live and act according to their own faith in this country.

Certainly Davies did not act illegally, but neither has BYU. Are we really ready to condemn a private institution, and its interaction with a consenting adult, for being too moral?

If we are, there are bigger problems than what happened to BYU basketball in our country. 

Correction: A reference to "girlfriend" has been removed because the other party was not named in any report.