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Apparently, Liberty University — the university founded by Jerry Falwell — is officially saying that being a Democrat is against “Christian doctrine.”
Liberty University has revoked its recognition of the campus Democratic Party club, saying “we are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by” the university.…Part of [Mark Hine, vice president of student affairs'] e-mail said, “The Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian doctrine (supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the “LGBT” agenda, hate crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc.)” LGBT refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Mark Lawrence, chairman of the citywide Lynchburg Democratic Party, called The News & Advance Thursday after he learned about the revocation.
“My issue with this is the statement that the Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian doctrine,” Lawrence said. “They are essentially saying, ‘you cannot be a Christian and a Democrat.’”
Also from Mr. Hine:
Hine said late Thursday that the university could not sanction an official club that supported Democratic candidates.“We are in no way attempting to stifle free speech.”
Riiiiiiight.
Next time you hear a “free speech” or “thought crime” argument from conservative “Christian” organizations regarding federal hate crime legislation, or lament about how public policies by secondary and higher education entities demand Christian organizations adhere to diversity policies, remember that a conservative “Christian” university has itself functionally limited freedom of thought, speech, and beliefs within the portion of the public square where they regulate speech and political affiliations.
And too, the other apparent message Liberty University is sending is that if one is self-identified as Christian, one should be a registered Republican — being a registered Democrat is apparently suspect and immoral.
23 Comments
Now I’ve heard it all.Good post, Autumn. This is craziness. Liberty shows their colors and they ain’t blue.
Prop 8 ruling on for Tues May 26th releaseSorry to interrupt…just posted.
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/co…
Answers 3 questions.Remember these are the issues at stake, not really ss marriage, but the amendment…well will rule if the 18,000 marriages stand.
Forget redefining marriageThey’re redefining liberty
The Conservative wing of the GOP addressing Christians and DemocratsI say, “You go folks!” At this rate the 2012 GOP national convention will fit into the conference facilities of the Hotel Ottumwa in Ottumwa, Iowa. ”Honey, I shrank the Party!”
I guess there to stupid to figure out…Jesus was a liberal…
only if Christian = Christian extremistAs baffled as I am about why anyone would want to be a Christian, the only way this makes sense is if “Christian” is equated with “Christian extremist.” From what I know of Liberty University, I suspect this is exactly the case.
You’re right….That’s how a long time friend of my mom’s got her to change parties, by saying, “If Jesus was alive today he’d be a Democrat.”
There are many…Instances in the bible where Jesus scolded a town/city/group of people for acting like the christians do towards LGBT today.
The christians are just using the bible as an excuse for their bigotry…. Plain and simple.
Of course.Would you expect anything less from Liberty University? They are the only true Christians and everyone else is doing it wrong.
But sadly as I keep trying to point out, moderate and liberal Christians do the same thing. They say they are the true Christians and Liberty Universiy is doing it wrong.
Republicans can’t be Christians, either.Because of their greed and hostility towards others.
BTW, Liberty University is an oxymoron because personal and civil liberties cannot be practiced there.
It is too conveniently forgottenthat Falwell first came to prominence in the 60s by crusading to keep blacks out of his church. I wonder if he would have said then that the Democratic party wasn’t Christian because it advocated civil rights for black citizens. (I think we know the answer to that.)
The college came a few years later, but this institution was founded on a substrate of bigotry and hasn’t gotten any better in the decades since.
Brazen!Fundienut organizations have long been skirting the restrictions on partisan politics that are associated with their tax exemptions. Now they’re just being outright. So long, public subsidy! :-D
Liberty U…Is nothing more than a well organized… out in the open… HATE GROUP
CorrectionYou can’t be a Christianist and a Democrat.
Is the death penalty…part of Liberty’s Christian values platform? No, they’re not hypocrites in the least.
liberty????I never cease to be aghast at how ludicrous the Falwellians can be. How they dare to apply either “Christian” or “Liberty” to their University is just mind boggling. As other posts have said, if Jesus were alive today he’d be scolding them. Let’s get another Soulforce bus on the way there.
Rachel M had President of club on..He said Young Democrats of Virginia and a few Dem candidates are already in touch and advising them.
No, you can’t be a Christian and a Democrat.Worse than that, you can’t be a Christian and an American!
Primary American value: Freedom.
Christian value: Obedience.
Ergo, not possible to be Christian and American (truly) at the same time.
That is all.
It’s all NewspeakLiberty University is all about Madrassas-like indoctrination – that’s what they call Freedom.
Liberty University proves it is morally bankrupt, thus making it a beacon of moral light to the morally blind Christianists – That’s what they call Faith.
Liberty University teaches its students to Hate people who are different – that is what the Christianist calls “Love Thy Neighbor.”
Liberty University is opposed to the idea of a University being a forum for ideas – making it an ideal Christianist institution.
Are Christians Wanting Us to See Jesus, or THEIR version of Jesus?I love how Christian right wing individuals think it is their place to determine who is a Christian and who is not. A very careful reading of the Gospels as they are, not as Christian right wing groups interpret them will see Jesus being very welcoming to people who realize they are in need of a Savior. Jesus does not say “anyone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered” cannot be his Disciple. He does say those who do not take up their cross and follow after him cannot be Disciples of Jesus. Are those who refuse to take up their cross, those who refuse to look at their own prejudices as to who they think should be among other Christians, and realize they need to be crucified to their own views of Jesus and His followers?
I honestly cannot picture Jesus saying that a person who is a democrat, republican or any other cannot be among his company.
The only people Jesus had very stern words for, were those who made distinctions and created walls for others to get to know God as loving and one who brings salvation.
Do you think the words of Jesus to the Religious leaders of his day might apply to the religious leaders of our time: “Wow to you, hypocrites! Because you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in it.” Later he calls them: “Blind fools” Read Matthew 23 for full reading.
Do you think this can be applied to the religious leaders of our time, who refuse to think that gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered people can be loved, accepted and cherished by God and the followers of Christ? I think so.
When Christians makes statements such as you cannot be Christian and Democrat, I think God laughs and says: “Wait and see.”
I don’t know what Liberty University and the RRRW homophobes are worried aboutIt’s not like the Democratic Party does anything but say that they support LGBT civil rights. Right now, DOMA repeal is off the table, and DADT repeal is laying around in committee never to be heard from again. Apparently, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are Fierce Defenders of LGBT Rights (TM) in the same vein as Obama.
Equal Access Actthey oughta lose their federal funding.