LyraM45 0 #1 May 23, 2009 Liberty University bans College Dems Posted: 08:16 PM ET (CNN) – Liberty University, the evangelical school in Virginia founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, is drawing heat Friday for its decision to revoke recognition of the College Democrats' chapter on campus. According to the Lynchburg News & Advance, the school decided a week ago the organization "stood against the moral principles" held by the school and therefore could no longer be sanctioned. Maria Childress, the staff adviser to the club, told the paper the school — which opposes abortion rights and gay marriage — had issues with the Democratic Party platform. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/ ********************************************************* I usually don't go starting threads in SC too often, but as a citizen of this country, I am wondering if I am the only person disturbed by this. I don't care if you're democrat, republican, black, white, purple, pink, gay, straight, single, married, or what religion you are, I don't think it's right to throw a peaceful legal student group that is nationally recognized off of campus no matter what the schools affiliation is. Sure, it's a private institution and technically they can do what they wish, but I went to a private school as well and something like this would NEVER happen. Is anybody else pulling a "WTF, mate?" on this one, or is it just me? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #2 May 23, 2009 Item number 135.76(a) on the Maobama Societal Repair List. Give it time... "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #3 May 23, 2009 I agree that it's a poor move by the school, and they are a private institution free to allow what they wish. Hopefully people will vote with their feet and wallets and the situation will solve its self.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #4 May 23, 2009 QuoteLiberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. made his first public comments today about the university’s suspension of the campus Democratic party club. “That club still has the right to exist,“ Falwell said, although it cannot use the university’s name in its activities.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LyraM45 0 #5 May 23, 2009 That action by the university I am very familiar with. When I first started the skydiving club at my school we were told just about the same thing because of legal reasons. But if this is the case, then the university is still banning the "Liberty University College Democrats Club," if it can't be the "Liberty University College Democrats Club," and hold meetings on campus, use university funds, and have the right for its group members to list it as a university activity on their college transcripts and resumes, then they are still being banned. So, yes... each student has the right to exist as a democrat, but does not have the right to form a chapter of the nationally recognized college democrat club at their university. Thats the same as saying all the kids who like sci-fi can't form a sci-fi club and so forth. This isn't a democrat vs. republican thing for me. I would be just as shocked if it were the college republicans being told they couldn't have a chapter at a university. The whole thing just makes me a little sad. I don't think one group or another should be turned down for something so simple as a college club just because of their beliefs. The only grounds a university should have at stopping something is if it's against the law. (and I guess thats just my opinion, because again, I do realize that this is a private school with religious background-- but can't you be religious AND democrat or republican?)Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #6 May 23, 2009 I look at it this way: it's not as if the students at Liberty University are the victims of false advertising. Similar examples might be, say, Oral Roberts U. or Bob Jones U. These schools unabashedly, and honestly, hold themselves out to the public as exactly what they are: ideologically extremely conservative. So the students that attend do know exactly what they're signing on for. I generally avoid analogies; but for example, I wouldn't expect a Catholic university to host a Planned Parenthood chapter on campus, nor would I expect Yeshiva U. to tolerate an Aryan Nation chapter, or even a "Jews for Jesus club" on campus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #7 May 23, 2009 QuoteThats the same as saying all the kids who like sci-fi can't form a sci-fi club and so forth. No it's not. Science fiction does not run diametrically opposed to the core ideology of the conservative, evangelical Christianity that is the basic foundation of Liberty U. (Science truth, maybe, but not science fiction.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LyraM45 0 #8 May 23, 2009 True, and I agree, hence why I did not go to a religious institution. (BTW, I almost went to seton hill up in PA when I was looking at schools a long time ago) But, the issues you listed are such specific issues. What about students that are very religious, but consider themselves a democrat? "Democrat," is such a large umbrella where you can be a democrat but still be pro life, pro abstinence, religious, etc. If the school is against abortion, then ban an abortion group (though again, I think that impinges on freedom of speech still, but it is a religious institution; I understand.), and if it doesn't like stem cell research, then don't allow your biology majors to start a group that researches stem cell stuff. But to automatically assume that all democrats must be pro-choice and can't come together as a group on campus... seems pretty ignorant to me.Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #9 May 23, 2009 QuoteThis isn't a democrat vs. republican thing for me. I would be just as shocked if it were the college republicans being told they couldn't have a chapter at a university. That's happened as well, I believe... Pepperdine, I think?Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #10 May 23, 2009 QuoteWhat about students that are very religious, but consider themselves a democrat? ..... But to automatically assume that all democrats must be pro-choice and can't come together as a group on campus... seems pretty ignorant to me. I generally would agree with you if this were about 95% of the other schools out there. But I think Im willing to make an exception for those few, in the private sector, that are at the extreme ends of the spectrum and are open and intellectually honest about what they are. Liberty U. would be an example of that, in my view. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #11 May 23, 2009 I will add this though: despite my remarks above, I still think that what Liberty U. did is vindictive and immature; and its long-term effect just might be to produce a student/alumni body that tends to act similarly (by weeding out the others). I personally think that's unfortunate and not anything to be socially proud of, but that's for them to decide, not me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,090 #12 May 23, 2009 >I am wondering if I am the only person disturbed by this. Disturbed? Not really. They're a private college; let them do whatever they want. The damage they do to themselves by taking such actions far eclipses any damage they wish to do to the club they are trying to sanction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #13 May 24, 2009 I realize this is only tangentially related to this thread, but if you want to learn a lot more about what Liberty is like, read the new book "The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University" by Kevin Roose. It may not change your mind about Liberty's decision but it will give you insight into what the place is like. It's a hell (pun intended) of a good read. http://www.kevinroose.com/"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #14 May 24, 2009 Quote>I am wondering if I am the only person disturbed by this. Disturbed? Not really. They're a private college; let them do whatever they want. The damage they do to themselves by taking such actions far eclipses any damage they wish to do to the club they are trying to sanction. Exactly. I'm disturbed by how stupid they are. Wow, I was even thinking of going to school there. Thank goodness I went to a more open-minded place like Virginia Military Institute."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #15 May 24, 2009 Would you be more or less disturbed if they banned the Comunist Party club? Just wondering. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #16 May 24, 2009 QuoteWould you be more or less disturbed if they banned the Comunist Party club? Just wondering. In the US, the Communist party is numerically so miniscule as to be statistically insignificant. On the other hand, if the Communist party comprised roughly 50% of the national electorate, a banning could very well be seen as disturbing. LU does not risk marginalizing itself by banning Communists, but it may be seen as marginalizing itself (or making itself look silly) by banning Democrats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jclalor 12 #17 May 25, 2009 The real question is why anyone who even remotely held the beleifs of a democrat would want to go there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #18 May 25, 2009 So I we're supposed to feel what ? Shock ? surpise ? Outrage ? This is Jerry Falwell University, what the fuck DO you expect from these people. They should lose whatever church related tax exemptions they may be receiving, though it will never happen, as the IRS only uses that against "liberal" (i.e. Episcopal) chrurches at election time. Mao was right - religion IS a cancer. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #19 May 25, 2009 No student at Liberty should be caught off guard by the moral stance of the school. Complaining about it is just like the people that buy homes near airports and then gripe about airplane noise.....or skydiving operations.You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #20 May 25, 2009 What I find amusing is the moniker "Liberty U." Historically, "liberty" in the "American" sense meant (among other things) freedom to speak your mind, worship how you choose and associate as you deem fit. Quite the antithesis of the reality of LU's creed and practices. Unfortunately, people like Falwell co-opted the term "liberty" as if it belongs exclusively to conservative Christians. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #21 May 25, 2009 Much like "democratic" has been co-opted by socialists?You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n23x 0 #22 May 25, 2009 Indeed! .jim"Don't touch my fucking Easter eggs, I'll be back monday." ~JTFC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #23 May 25, 2009 QuoteMuch like "democratic" has been co-opted by socialists? By SC standards, Adam Smith was a socialist.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #24 May 25, 2009 Quote Indeed! .jim Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #25 May 25, 2009 QuoteMuch like "democratic" has been co-opted by socialists? Brilliant. As much as "republican" has been co-opted by fascists. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
