Freshmen at Duke University were given a summer reading list which including Alison Bechdel’s award-winning 2006 graphic novel.

The autobiographical novel, which explores issues surrounding both Bechdel’s and her father’s sexual orientations, has drawn criticism from some Christian students who are refusing to read the book due to its sexual themes and occasional nudity.

“I feel as if I would have to compromise my personal Christian moral beliefs to read it,” posted student Brian Grasso on Facebook.

“Duke did not seem to have people like me in mind,” he said. “It was like Duke didn’t know we existed, which surprises me,” he added.

The comments sparked a frenzied debate on the North Carolina college’s Facebook page, where students battled about the merits of the book and the appropriateness of its inclusion on the freshmen reading list.

“Reading the book will allow you to open your mind to a new perspective and examine a way of life and thinking with which you are unfamiliar,” wrote freshman Marivi Howell-Arza.

“’Fun Home’ was ultimately chosen because it is a unique and moving book that transcends genres and explores issues that students are likely to confront,” said Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, in a statement to CNN.

Other finalists for the Duke Common Experience Summer Reading list included Nicholas Carr’s ‘The Shallows: ‘What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains’, ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr and ‘The Righteous Mind’ by Jonathan Haidt.