Posted on 05/23/2009 2:04:28 PM PDT by Maelstorm
"What would Jesus do?" is a question many Christians ask themselves when buying a car, choosing a charity to support or invading another country. When it comes to campus poliical clubs, Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia, thinks Jesus would limit certain First Amendment rights like freedom of speech and the right of assembly... at least as far as Democrats are concerned. In an email dated May 15, Mark Hine, the university's Vice President for Student Affairs, revoked recognition of the campus Democrats Club. In part, the email reads...
"I must inform you that the College democrats club is no longer going to be recognized as a Liberty University club. We are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the principles held by Liberty University...
Even though this club may not support the more radical planks of the democratic party, the democratic party is still the parent organization of the club on campus. The Democratic Party Platform is contrary to the mission of LU 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). The candidates this club supports uphold the Platform and implement it."
The Campus Democrats Club, which formed in October and campaigned for Barack Obama, will no longer be able to meet on campus or use Liberty University's name, seal, logo or marks on any publication or online website. Violators may be subject to expulsion. This, the email informs us, is required as a result of a newly-adopted policy for student clubs and organizations. Other clubs, such as LU's long-standing campus Republican club, have not been affected though.
An attempt by this writer to access the Liberty Way Code of Conduct on LU's website, was found to be blocked for anyone not associated with the university. This was the only part of their website this writer found to be blocked against visitors. This, of course, does not imply censorship on their part. That Liberty University's News and Events page makes no mention of the Democrat Club's expulsion from campus despite the fact that it's headline news all over the rest of the country does not imply censorship either, does it?
My impression is the lawyers on bicycles are trying to apply the Hillsdale (sp?) "federal aid" standard here when what is more appopriate are the "Bob Jones" cases
No reason Liberty U can't stop this nonsense of having active Democrats on campus with a closer review of applicants.
So you would approve of private universities banning Republican organizations?
Then you should call them and be sure to tell them have made a mistake by allowing the Democrats to meet on campus after all.
Sickening.
The lawyers on bicycles sure called that one wrong didn’t they.
The lawyers on bicycles sure called that one wrong didn’t they.
Nope. So far, Liberty U. is still allowing the Democrats to meet on campus. When that changes, you can say that I was given bad advice.
UPDATE:
http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=48707
“Liberty University Fires Back at Liberal Media for Falsely Reporting It ‘Banned’ College Democrats”
Thursday, May 28, 2009
By Adam Brickley
SNIPPET: “Falwell, son of the university’s founder, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, explained: “Official recognition carries with it the benefit of using the university name and funds. While this group will not be an officially recognized club, it may still meet on campus.”
According to Falwell, Democratic clubs have existed at Liberty over the last several decades—but as unofficial student clubs not endorsed by the school.”
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