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?
Liberals are only concerned with first amendment rights when it affects their own grand plans.
No yelling and screaming by liberals when Christian clubs are banned in public schools, Conservative clubs harassed on public universities - they have full control in these venues. The need for these liberals is to control what goes on in private institutions.
Jesus would limit certain First Amendment rights like freedom of speech and the right of assembly- Wrong; who is this schmuch author. Liberty University did NOT violate their 1st Amendment rights (they still have them), they just may not use the University name, nor facilities to conduct their activities (which a private university has every right to do), if the students don’t like it: Go off campus (rename their group), or leave the University, otherwise since this isn’t a STATE RUN U. but instead a Private Christian University; they can do what they want..!
Have you ever been to Liberty University, attended classed there?? Becuase I have, and I can tell you for fact that LU would not discriminate against students themselves, but they DO intend on uphold their Christian faith, including where they intersects with the Political Realm.
me too!
Right..and untill you get government to enforce ALL the state institutions which discriminate agaist conservative students groups’ on college’s this is a non issue!..
The Democrat Party stands firmly in opposition to all conservative, traditional values. It is appropriate for Liberty University to deny such political poison any place on campus. The Democrats at the school can still support their vile candidates, just not on school property using the school’s time and dime.
Or all media.
That’s typical of places like.... well you know.
BINGO!
Exactly. The left has been using this phony free speech complaint to muscle into places they don’t already control. Look at the way they intimidate businesses like E-Harmony which they sued to force it to offer a homosexual dating service. We can not share common ground with a left that will not accept or respect the boundaries of others consent and decisions.
The 9th Circus, et al, recently ruled that a private school could deselect students on the basis of their claimed sexual orientation. That ruling suggests strongly that a private school could deselect students, or control student activities ON CAMPUS in a far greater degree than suggested at Liberty U. Short arm inspections might not be out of line under that ruling.
Frankly, I have no idea why any Democrat would attend that school.
So you’re saying that Liberty University IS required to allow people with opposing viewpoints on to their PRIVATE property to practice beliefs contrary to their mortal foundations? As a private institution, Liberty is legally allowed to determine what groups can assemble on their campus. And what groups can use their name for activities.
I think I do. I can't speak for your state, but I imagine it's very different than Texas, my state. There are millions of Texas Democrats, and they have very little in common with the Democrats that you're used to hearing about. These would be the same Democrats that 30 years ago were known as Reagan Democrats. Most of them are gun owners, Christians, and overall lead conservative lives. You'll find a similar trend in every Southern state. I would lay you odds that these are the kids who're attending Liberty U.
Well, these same lawyers disagree with you. What more can be said?
What I’m saying is that if the university allows the Republicans to meet on campus, then yes, they must allow the Democrats to meet on campus as well. Obviously, Liberty is well aware of this since they’ve rescinded and are now allowing the Democrats to meet on campus.
Headline should say Democrat Club, there is nothing democratic about the Democrat party.
I didn’t make up the headline but I do agree.
Yeah, I knew it wasn’t your doing.
People use the term “democratic” party all the time. It irks me! lol
I wonder how many Catholics understand that being a demo-rat is unchristian? Not to many at Notre Dame, I suspect.
JoMa
You’re incorrect. Liberty Univ has agreed to allowing the student Democrat club under modified conditions. And since when is a PRIVATE institution required to allow a group on campus that holds viewpoints counter to their foundational teachings? Does that mean because they’re a Christian school and, presumably teach Christian courses using Christian professors, that they’re also required to have Wiccan professors teaching paganism?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.