Ted Cruz Ping!
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CRUZ or LOSE!Posted on 03/23/2015 4:34:33 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
LYNCHBURG, VA – Just hours after Ted Cruz announced he was running for president here, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. was defending the fact that nearly 10,000 of his school's students had served as the backdrop while attending a mandatory school event.
"It is no secret that Convocation is held three times a week and attendance is required, just like class is required for students," Falwell said in a written statement. "No one is expected to agree with every speaker on every point."
Falwell issued the statement after reports, in National Journal and elsewhere, that a group of students supporting Sen. Rand Paul had protested the mandatory attendance at Cruz's campaign kickoff by showing up in "Stand with Rand" shirts.
"The fact that some students attended the service wearing T-shirts supporting another potential candidate shows that our students are not indoctrinated; they are free — and encouraged — to form their own opinions about what they hear in Convocation and to express it," Falwell said.
Cruz's speech was well received by the Liberty crowd and he was interrupted repeatedly by applause. "I should, however, point out that standing ovations are not required. Students are free to cheer or boo as they see fit," he said.
Falwell noted that "speakers do not all line up with traditional Evangelical Christian viewpoints or even Liberty University's doctrinal statement. A fundamental part of the college experience is being exposed to a variety of viewpoints so students can better understand why they hold their own beliefs and be better prepared to defend them." Indeed, Democratic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe was originally scheduled to address the students on Monday.
Falwell also complained about media outlets that had quoted anonymous posts on the social-media sites, such as Yik Yak, to capture the feelings of the student body. "It is irresponsible to take anonymous social media posts and assume that they are students, or are representative of the entire student body," Falwell said.
He went on to cite a conversation he had after Cruz's speech with an unnamed student. "A pre-med student, who is a Democrat, came up to me and shared his appreciation for Convocation and how we bring in such a diverse panel of speakers," Falwell said.
Here is Falwell's full statement:
"Convocation is not a worship service. Convocation is Liberty's educational forum for students to hear from speakers with a wide diversity of viewpoints from all walks of life — entertainment, business, politics, ministry, and more — many of whom are globally respected as experts in their areas. It is no secret that Convocation is held three times a week and attendance is required, just like class is required for students. No one is expected to agree with every speaker on every point. In fact, Convocation speakers do not all line up with traditional Evangelical Christian viewpoints or even Liberty University's doctrinal statement. A fundamental part of the college experience is being exposed to a variety of viewpoints so students can better understand why they hold their own beliefs and be better prepared to defend them. Liberty intentionally gives every student this opportunity to become well-rounded on important matters of faith and culture.
The fact that some students attended the service wearing T-shirts supporting another potential candidate shows that our students are not indoctrinated; they are free — and encouraged — to form their own opinions about what they hear in Convocation and to express it.
I should, however, point out that standing ovations are not required. Students are free to cheer or boo as they see fit. I also think it is irresponsible to take anonymous social media posts and assume that they are students, or are representative of the entire student body.
It fills me with great pride, then, to see that our students consistently provide such a warm atmosphere for every speaker who comes to campus, regardless if they agree with them or not.
Right after Convocation today, a pre-med student, who is a Democrat, came up to me and shared his appreciation for Convocation and how we bring in such a diverse panel of speakers. He said that he appreciated the opportunity to hear from Sen. Cruz so close to his announcement to run for president. He appreciated that Liberty was chosen as a platform for such a prominent moment. The student told me that he enjoyed the speech and even found some common ground with Senator Cruz on many issues."
Yeah, that’s the take.....Liberty U is private property. No one, I repeat, NO ONE, is forced to go there. You go there by exercising your freedom to do so, which is exactly how you do not go there -exercising your freedom to go elsewhere.
Everybody who goes to Liberty U, however, is required to attend every convocation. Of course not everybody agrees with every thing said by every single speaker. That’s not the requirement.
cornie, grow up. Freedom is hard. Learn it, live it, love it.
To clarify, I’m all for praying for Cruz and his family, and he will be attacked fo shizzle. I just don’t think Palin is a good analogy. I am a big Palin fan, but from Alaska, she was no where near as tested in this arena as Cruz already has been, many times.
And she will end up being one of his biggest supporters IMO.
I’m sure there are many mandatory events at Liberty that do not sit well with every single student there. So what? That’s not a big deal. It’s part of the gig of going to that school.
I would hope you wouldn’t think going in that you’ll agree with every professor and/or every speaker you were forced to listen to. Isn’t being forced to challenge your preconceptions what college is supposed to be about?
Her speech at 2014 CPAC indicates she is in fact.
I do appreciate your opinion. However, I went to hear BillyJeff. Partly out of sheer curiosity about how campaign events happen. Interesting.
Back in the day, I stood right in front of John Anderson. Liked the event.
Could you learn anything by attending the 'announcement of candidacy" by Jeb Bush?
Of course, yes. I don’t think there’s any problem with a mandatory event that exposes students to different viewpoints. The only problem I have (and its a mild one at that - certainly wouldn’t call it Nazi-like, like the other poster here) is that the mandatory event was used, essentially, as a campaign rally.
I suppose I could learn something about the effects of apathy/boredom?
I get that...I do....but every speaker has an agenda - and I’m sure a lot of them are political agendas. The school has an agenda. Setting whether you want to vote for Cruz aside, there is nothing he said that should offend anyone attending Liberty. If he did, then that’s a student that has more problems in this school than one convocation.
Only the On-Campus students have this requirement. But, they also must attend Christian religious services each morning if I remember correctly. You can still go to Liberty University and not do these things by not being an on-campus student. Liberty University ON-LINE.
As my daughter graduated from Liberty Univ. last year.. I am somewhat familiar with this, but being Jewish, on campus was beyond the pale. But, it wasn’t our plan anyway.
That said, beyond the one and only stupid professor who taught one of the two required Christian Philosophy classes, an openly and frankly militant Jewish student was 100% comfortable with these people. It is a great school that offers 1000% more freedom of thought and expression and opinion than any State run University. It is a shock. But, the number of professors that asked for her input, and frankly even corrected the Christian students using her answers was stunning. Other than that episode, Liberty was a joy and cost the same as our in-state fees, best school in the US at this time. And, they are growing leaps and bounds because of it.
My Daughter attended our local State run University to take Judaic Studies courses and her professors at this school had to use the formulation “If God exists.. .then.. “ in any statement that refers to God. In Judaic studies this was oppressive. Sending you children to these places is just about child abuse. Except, they aren’t children. But, it is a huge waste of money and you are paying for them to be indoctrinated into hating everything you love.
So.. it is a bit rich going on and on about nobody’s gonna tell me what to do..
I could learn his speech style, whether he used notes/teleprompter, whether he was dynamic or weak, what his staff support appeared to be, his entourage, his entrance/exit, his personableness, his accessibility, the realness of his voice/gestures. All kinds of things really.
CRUZ or LOSE!Thanks E.E.E.!
If you pay to go there and they tell you to go to a racist play-— you go? I don’t. They can’t tell you to go to a political rally!! What a bunch of Kooks. Cruz is great. It is so sad he failed to reject this venue. It will hurt him greatly.
LOL
Your argument is absurd and preposterous. The speakers are probably all compatible with Liberty University. There is no chance of this fictional dark fantasy racist speaker you keep babbling about.
And quit calling it a political rally. It was a speech, consistent with the beliefs of Liberty U - politically and spiritually. You’re off your meds.
Ok “you are right”. WHAT A DISASTER. Can Cruz draw a non compelled crowd?
Considering the school that Liberty is, I think they may want to take a look at their selection process that got them Paulistas.
Three people out of that crowd? Big deal.
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