Liberty University and Student Democrats

On May 15th Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia withdrew its recognition of the student organized Liberty University Democratic Club. The Dean of Students’ e-mail stated that recognition was withdrawn because “The candidates this club supports uphold the platform and implement it. The candidates supported are directly contrary to the mission of Liberty University…..The Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and Christian doctrine.”

Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. stated on the weekend “That the club still has the right to exist,” but the club cannot use the university’s name or receive funding. Further, the club is limited as to where they can meet, and are not able to advertise meetings on campus or distribute its literature to students.

Though Dean Hine says the college is “in no way attempting to stifle free speech” the college functionally is not allowing the Democrats to function on the same level as the Republicans.
Falwell has stated, “Parents and students support the University because they believe in the distinctly Christian identity and mission. Liberty University is pro-life and believes that marriage between one man and one woman provides the best environment for children.”

Liberty officials have noted that they have had a wave of complaints from donors, parents and trustees about the club. Instead of noting that a quality institute of higher education is a crucible for the free exchange and debate of views, and defending the same, the leadership marginalized the club.

Such marginalization of contrary views is not surprising given its point of view and mission. Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. often proudly proclaimed that Liberty was to be the “Harvard of the right.” An official brochure says the university has a “strong commitment to political conservatism, total rejection of socialism, and the firm support for American’s economic system of free enterprise.” In other words, LU is founded upon a vision of Christianity that is more grounded in the American cultural unabashed and unregulated free enterprise than it is in the understanding of eternal biblical principles. The Bible does not sanction any single economic system or government system, or even a social structure. Yet Falwell has founded a university to teach and support a particular cultural system and justify it in the garb of religious language.

Contrary to what it claims, Liberty does stifle free speech. Faculty who disagree with its narrow teachings are soon without a position. A faculty member who holds that global warming is taking place, or who hints that he/she does not hold to the young earth seven literal twenty-four hour creation story will find their position at LU at risk. Such a posture means students are not being educated by professors who have seriously examined and considered diverse views. Faculty are teaching from safe ground and with an approved set of teachings (hmmmm...sounds similar to what took place in the Soviet Union and Germany from 1933 to 1945, China since 1948, etc.).

A faculty member who voted for Obama, if their secret was discovered, could find that they are asked to leave the university. If the Democrat students were to put together a petition or have a public meeting outside the authorized classroom, such students are at risk of receiving 12 reprimands (demerits) and a $50 fine for participating in an unauthorized activity.

Irrespective of its statements to the contrary, LU has functionally stated that a person who is a Democrat and votes for Democrat candidates is not a faithful Christian…at least faithful a per their definition of what it means to be a Christian.

Liberty says that they are tolerant, yet they have student and faculty policies that contradict such claims. A university is a place for educating the mind, for arguing for and against a host of issues, a place to freely exchange and debate ideas in the search for truth. To allow the debate and free exchange of ideas on an equal footing does not mean that the university agrees with or promotes a particular set of views. It allows its students and faculty to sift thoughtfully and come to a more informed view. Liberty had the opportunity to be tolerant and embrace the free exchange of ideas, but instead they withdraw authorization for the students to have Democrat club on campus. Instead they by their actions they have undermined the fundamental founding principle of the United States, freedom of speech and exchange of ideas, and the ability to organize politically.