Liberty University’s New Policy

by Eugene Cho 05-27-2009

Did you read the news of Liberty University (founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell) removing the Democratic club as an offiicial Liberty club because the national party’s platform goes against the values of the school?

As I’ve shared before, I’m neither a Democrat or a Republican. I’m an independent voter/thinker and attempt to look at things issue by issue. But in regards to this news from Liberty, let me first say that I get where their administration is coming from. They have certain convictions and are trying to honor them, and as a private university they have the right to do so, right? Especially since students sign the Liberty Way policy:

It is the duty of every student to respect Liberty’s Statement of Doctrine and Purpose. They may not engage in any activity on or off campus that would compromise the testimony or reputation of the University or cause disruption to Liberty’s Christian learning environment.

In a letter addressed to the student body, the chancellor of Liberty wrote:

No student club or organization shall be approved, recognized or permitted to meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use University facilities if the statements, positions, doctrines, policies, constitutions, bylaws, platforms, activities or events of such club or organization, its parent, affiliate, chapter or similarly named group are inconsistent or in conflict with the distinctly Christian mission of the University.

Among other things, Liberty University stands for the sanctity of human life. The loss of human life through abortion is a great tragedy and we cannot remain silent when the political policies or politicians promote the destruction of innocent human life. While students may meet on campus, debate, and discuss important and controversial issues of the day, Liberty University will not lend its name or fund organizations whose stated purpose is to promote and advance issues that are contrary to its Christian mission.

But here are some of my concerns: Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Why would they grant the “Democatic Club” permission last year … only to pull the rug out right underneath them? Why inform them via e-mail?
While I appreciate and deeply respect Liberty’s stance for the sanctity of human life … umm … how about its stance on war and some estimates that over a million Iraqi civilians have been killed since the U.S. led invasion of Iraq?
These are college students and not middle schoolers. They are adults, right? Of age to enlist themselves in the armed forces. Let’s give them the freedom to engage the larger marketplace of ideas, philosophies, and worldviews — even in a Christian college. Their faith in Christ will be stronger as a result (and their ability to engage the larger world).
Here we go again: this idea that Christians have to be Republicans in order to be good Christians. It’s old … and it’s the same thing when people say that Christians that love justice and mercy must be Democrats. Here’s my recommendation: Be neither. Be independent. Follow Christ and your convictions … issue by issue. And finally, be someone that cares about more than the issue and actually cares about the people behind the issues.

Alright. Your turn:

What do you think about Liberty U. kicking out removing the Democratic Club as an official club?

Here’s the article from the Washington Post.

Eugene Cho, a second-generation Korean-American, is the founder and lead pastor of Quest Church in Seattle and the executive director of Q Cafe, an innovative nonprofit neighborhood café and music venue. He and his wife are also launching a grassroots humanitarian organization to fight global poverty. You can stalk him at his blog or follow him on Twitter.

Categories: Faith and Politics

Ngchen

Hmmm. So would Liberty allow a student club along the lines of Democrats for Life?
And on the other hand, would Republicans for Choice be kicked out?

mscynthia

As long as they are back to kicking people out
I think the opperative expression is

"So who's going to be next?"

Make sure the last student knows how to shut the door when they leave.

bpang

actually in an email that got sent out by Liberty they said exactly that. This club lost it's official affiliation because it went back on an agreement previously made with the school to not support candidates that are pro-choice. Had there been no pro-choice issue the club would have been allowed to continue on as an officially recognized school. The letter went on to say that if any Republican group had begun supporting a pro choice candidate the same thing would have happened. The club in question as far as I can tell from the letter is still allowed to meet on campus; it just doesn't receive school funding and the university won't lend its name to the group anymore.

WaveTossed

Liberty University is a private college and (as long as they don't take Federal funds, which I believe they do not), has the right to formulate whatever policies they wish and exclude/include whatever organizations they wish.

Having said that: "[from the chancellor's address to Liberty's students] Among other things, Liberty University stands for the sanctity of human life."

I'm just curious. Would Liberty allow an organization that would stand for the sanctity of human life by opposing capital punishment? Opposing war? Opposing torture? Could a "Republicans Opposed to Capital Punishment and War" be allowed to set up camp there?

Just curious.

greenasphodel

I'm sorry to say that Liberty University is not a place that welcomes dissent or discussion...which is ironic since Jesus was both a dissenter and something of a talker. I grew up in Lynchburg - where Liberty is located - and still live within 30 miles. It's really been quite amazing all the growth Liberty has done in the past 10 years. The campus is sprawling and much to the dismay of many local people, they've carved out a huge space on Candler's Mountain (the land of which comprises part of LU) for the installation of an enormous monogram and also a year-round ski slope. Pardon me, but Jesus didn't die so I could snow ski in July. My impression of the college is that it is made up of nice people, but the institution itself is misguided in its mission and intentions.
If you believe that Republican and Christian are synonymous, then LU is for you. If you think that all Democrats kill and eat their young, then LU is for you too. Liberty U. is steadily building a monument not to God, not to Jesus, not to the poor or widowed, but to Liberty University and its particular brand of Christianity.
As for the Democrat club, you know, I'm really not surprised at all. It seems very much in-line with the college's policy of punishing students/staff who get out of step. Of course, they can do that, being a private University. And I can refuse to have anything to do with that place. And I do and will continue to do so.

1Grace

I'm sorry to say that Liberty University is not a place that welcomes dissent or discussion"

Actually a book has been out for a while now from a liberal who attended Liberty . Your stereotyped comments were just that , stereotyped . Interesting the book was also about the relationships the writer made . He found that the kids who were inviolved in say gay bashing ,were the unpopular ones . Much as in our culture outside of Liberty . The intolerant stereotypes are just that . Because people have different beliefs , and have Bibical perspective as far to things like abstinence , the sancity of life , and view that chooses the narrow gate as to say , does not mean the people are narrow minded . In fact the most open minded people I have met on the left or right are those with strong convictions, but obviously had good parents because of the way they shared their views .

1Grace

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/22/kevin-...

This is the editorial from a left sided perspective of the book . Actually his experience was favorable from the authors perspective , He even says he is thinking about joining a church now. He had to learn to curb his tongue and he realized from the beginning to fit in he had to act with a different morality . had to realize premarital sex is wrong , yikes how narrow is that ? What the heck is this college promoting ? It was a cultural shock from the normal college or Junior Highs for that matter.

The college objected to his infiltration . But I found his perspective quite unique , looking at others he got to know with built in stereotypes that softened when reality struck , still keeping his core beliefs , but coming to an understanding sometimes of what others thought and why . He grew as a person .
. t I thought it was a balanced book from his perspective , and the gentleman was much more open minded then folks like greenspodel would be who think all Christians at Liberty believe in the republican dogma as a means for their spiritual growth. If you been at Universities of todays culture , you will see a PC culture that often censors .
In fact it bothers many on the left . Actually its not that democrats eat their young , its that they have so many in high positions who ridicule those who believe killing our young is a narrow position . Many of the youth, including those who attend Liberty voted for Obama because of his softened approach and lack of wanting to dehumanize those who differ. His concern for those who can not care for themselves , his sincere approach of wanting to be a good president for all of us . I often find the caricatures attempted st to be put on the left or right so DEHUMANIZING . .

nuclearferret

"I often find the caricatures attempted st to be put on the left or right so DEHUMANIZING"

Best said item I have ever seen here.

BlueDeacon

I went to two major public universities and never saw any ridiculing of conservatism. In fact, at the second the conservative student group was making the most noise.

JamesM

The fact that you did not see it, does not mean that it doesn't occur. There are fundamentalist conservatives and fundamentalist liberals. You should read the article that 1Grace posted. It was interesting.

BlueDeacon

Actually, based on what I've read, much of that "political correctness" thing is overblown and exists primarily at major and more influential schools on both coasts. But because of the specific schools where it has occurred it sounds like a bigger problem than it actually is.

BlueDeacon

I did read it, and the quote from Jerry Falwell Jr. said it all for me: "We appreciate Kevin's generally positive tone toward LU but he admittedly comes from a culture that has very little tolerance for conservative Christianity and even less understanding of it."

greenasphodel

Thanks, but mine are not stereotypes. No offense. I grew up in Liberty's shadow, had a hot dog bought for me by Dr. Falwell and am basing my comments on both my life experiences and what has been shared with me by LU alums.
Like I said, Liberty University is a place made up of exceptionally nice people, but the intent of the institution itself is skewed from its supposed Christian mission. I have read about the book mentioned above - probably the very same article - and I must say that my statement about the niceness of the people there is pretty much in line with what the book is about. I do not really understand why I am being directed to investigate it.
My comments about "baby eating" were taken from a conversation I had with a LU alum because that is what she thought upon graduation. In fact, it wasn't until she met my family that she realized one could be both Christian and vote for a Democrat. She told me she couldn't imagine anyone voting for a non-Republican because she had always been brought up to believe that the Republicans were Christ's political party. I should have been more clear in my allusions. I apologize if in not doing so, I came off as callous. That was not my intent.
In what I have seen, there is a lot of fear at LU. I would rather that were not so. But having dealt with the university in a multitude of situations, it seems that after a brief respite before his death, Dr. Falwell's school is only becoming more closed off to the rest of the world.

JaneinWNY

greenasphodel:

"She told me she couldn't imagine anyone voting for a non-Republican because she had always been brought up to believe that the Republicans were Christ's political party."

That statement made me laugh. I was out of college for decades before I met a Christian who was also strongly Republican. I thought you had to be a Democrat to be a Christian. I still haven't gotten over how the Republican party turned themselves into the Christian party.

I'm sure I knew Christians who voted Republican, but they were mostly apolitical so it never came up in conversation.

Jane

ando

And, of course, your experience speaks for the rest of the country.

BlueDeacon

It just might -- might -- be the case. Its umbrella organization crowed about just how much "havoc" it was having around the country.

JamesM

Thanks for posting that link. I found the article very interesting.

JamesM

I am responding to your earlier response to me, greenasphodel. I was not responeding to you when I wrote what I wrote. I was responding to BlueDeacon. I am quite certain that you accurately described your experiences. There is no doubt in my mind. I would have to say that I found the article posted by 1Grace refreshing. It gave some good perspective. I do not want to dehumanize LU attendees but I have to concur with you that I am not where they are as far as an institution goes.

SisterMarie

Dear Brother Cho,

I know that you're having a hard time understanding why Liberty University has banned the Democratic Club from its campus. it's really not hard to figure out. Here are some things that you failed to consider before writing your post:

1. Many of the students who matriculate at Liberty come from an academic background of either private Christian schools or home schools. Placing them in an atmosphere in which they may be exposed to liberal dogma may actually influence them to become (gasp) Democrats.

2. Liberty subscribes to the Domino Theory (no, not the pizza). If you let the Democrats in, then the first thing that you know, the Libertarians will be applying. Then, it'll be Katie bar the door and you'll have a whole flock of animists, the KKK will show up with their sheets, and there goes the neighborhood.

3. Liberty is a Christian university and everyone knows that Democrats are not Christians. If you did not know that, hang around this site for a few days.

4. The science professors do not want students in their classes who might challenge their doctrine that the world was created in six days.

5. Old Jerry might have passed to his reward, but he would surely be takin' names and kickin' butt if word got up there that Liberty was admitting Democrats.

BlueDeacon

Here's the irony: Up until the 1980s Falwell -- as well as most white Southerners -- were Democrats, becoming Republicans only when Reagan became president.

junglecat

They became Republican when Carter became president, but, other than that, the statement above is pretty much accurate.

BlueDeacon

No, Reagan. There was a trickle since the 1960s, but the 1980 election changed the landscape.