From the Washington Post:
Liberty University will no longer recognize its campus Democratic club because, officials say, the national party's platform goes against the conservative Christian school's moral principles.
Officials at the private Lynchburg school, which was founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, said they made the decision after receiving complaints from trustees, parents and donors.
"They really are great kids and good friends of mine," said Jerry Falwell Jr., who became the school's chancellor after his father died in 2007. "It's just an issue of what Liberty's mission is."
Falwell's words reminds me of the words spoken by opponents of equality, "Some of my best friends are gays and lesbians."
What surprises me is that there are any Democrats at all at Liberty University.
Liberty, which has 11,500 residential students and 35,000 online students, has had a College Republicans club for years. The College Democrats formed in October and worked aggressively to elect Obama president.
The college officials "let the Liberty University College Republicans stay on campus, but they don't let us," said Brian Diaz, 18, the club's president. "Sounds like censorship to me."
Diaz was informed in a May 15 e-mail from Student Affairs Vice President Mark Hine that the club, which has about 30 members, will no longer be able to use Liberty's name or be eligible for funding because of the party's stand on abortion rights and gay rights issues.
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Mathew D. Staver, dean of the university's school of law, said Liberty recently came up with new guidelines for all student groups. On May 15, a campuswide review began. The recognition of only the Democratic club has been revoked. Staver said the students can continue to meet in certain locations on campus, and school officials have encouraged them to find a parent organization that supports a "pro-life, pro-family" platform.
I commend Notre Dame University for not backing down from honoring President Obama at their commencement in the face of tremendous pressure and likely loss of income from donors who were opposed to the invitation.
Thanks to Lapin for the link.
Yesterday was the commemoration of Augustine of Canterbury. In Lesser Feasts and Fasts it speaks of how he fostered "unity in diversity." Liberty needs to take a page from his book.
ReplyDeleteCould this affect their tax-exempt status?
ReplyDeleteAmelia, somehow I don't think that diversity is what Liberty aims for.
ReplyDeleteLapin, if Liberty takes federal money, I believe that they could be in danger of losing it. They may have decided not to, so they can do as they like.
Mimi, I'm sure you are correct. Diversity is the last thing they want, but the thing they need most.
ReplyDeleteWhat´s the BIG SURPRISE...wasn´t this narrow minded/focused ¨college¨ started to crank out more bigots and theocrats (lawyers) than regular, and well adjusted, human beings? It´s like the KKK having a little group of African-American groupies join in to given them the appearance of integrity.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really amazing about this story is that there were 30 thinking people in the student body of Liberty. I bet someone in admissions is in deep trouble.
ReplyDeleteFWIW
jimB
Right here in good ol' Virginia... they have a law school too, and the State hires lawyers from Liberty.... very scary...
ReplyDeleteLeo, my only surprise is like JimB's - amazement that there were 30 Democrats on the campus.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, it is scary that the graduates of the law schools are getting into government positions.
Ewww... Mat Staver is dean of their law school. He's notorious in Florida. I'm wondering if "pro-life, pro-family" would include advocacy for universal health care?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering what those 30 kids were thinking when they enrolled?
All Fundy's are Republican, no matter what their kids(students) think.
ReplyDeleteStudents have their own Ideas, and when Daddy will only allow them to go to Fundy schools, they have to endure,...or go their own way and do it themselves,..(and frankly most kids can't do it). So they join the Democratic Club.
But now,...Time Sows it's own Production.
In Europe a University has at least 4 Faculties from Medieval times: Theology, Law, Medicine and Arts.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the Natural and Social Sciences are counted as two more Faculties.
Does this private enterprise have any?
Federal funding to students won't be affected. I teach at a college that is affiliated with UMC. We have chapel, community service requirements,etc. Our students receive ff and state funding.
ReplyDeleteamyj
SCG, I don't hear those on the religious right clamoring for universal health care. Maybe I missed something.
ReplyDeleteDavid G., I had not thought of the independent-minded students whose parents insist on sending them to fundie schools.
Göran, I don't know much about Liberty except that it was founded by an extreme right-wing fundamentalist minister and that the school's agenda matches the founder's beliefs.
Amy, I was speaking of financial grants directly to the university, rather than student loans or grants.
Mimi there was an article in today's Portland Press Herald about a young man who murdered a beautiful young woman and tried to burn down his apartment to cover up the fact. He went to Liberty. Got in a terrible auto accident and sued them for a lot of money, which he got. His friends say he's on a spiritual quest. I doubt that Liberty would approve of his quest, since it is far from "Christian", but I wonder if the kind of person he is was influenced by his time at Liberty, or if he had that streak to start with, or if it was his accident that is primarily to blame.
ReplyDeleteSorry the above link will take you to page 2 and the info about Liberty is on page 1.
ReplyDeleteAmelia, there was the accident, too. I wouldn't link Liberty to the murder. Gurney sounds pretty messed up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrifying story.
Yes, this thing in Portland is so sad.
ReplyDelete