JRZWRLD, Sorry about that. Let's try that link again: http://www.txbc.org/BaptistReflections/2008October17-DavidSallee.htm

JRZWRLD, I agree with your suspicion of "any institution of higher learning that subscribes to the idea that all its students believe in one idea or another" - for more on this subject (academic freedom at a Christian university), please see the article at http://www.txbc.org/BaptistReflections/2008October17-DavidSallee.htm.

ronjaboy, you said,

"I'm pretty sure the possessive form of it was taught for years as "its'"."

huh? you think grammar rules changed for a while then changed back regarding "its"? i don't think so. then you dissmissively talk about

"the age of self-esteem and "critical thinking" it was changed but Dr. Falwell is probably doing as he was taught, not wrong, different."

what you're doing here is what you accuse critics of doing: you're excusing falwell's mistake(s) by saying they're not mistakes, just "different".

do you think "flood geology" is not wrong, it's just different geology?

CalSailor,
good work there. what the heck does "accredited" mean if it's just based on fulfilling their mission statement? sheesh. sounds like they CAN have biology classes teaching 6-day dreation, and geology classes teaching "flood geology".

I went to Liberty U's website to see what they had to say about accreditation. I followed the link to the accrediting agency, the southern association of independent colleges (SAIC), and lo and behold! the sense of the accrediting document, aside from saying they've got to have so many credits of general ed, and they can only farm out about 25% of their courses to other institutions, the issue of "what do they teach compared to other schools", ie: What do their biology classes (do they offer biology?) teach compared to other private institutions, it turns out, there ARE NO STANDARDS! Repeatedly, the accrediting documents say: accreditation is based on HOW WELL THE SCHOOL DOES FULFILLING ITS MISSION STATEMENT...what a loophole! If the entire science curriculum is based on a world only 6000 years old, and that dinosauers lived contemporaneously with humans...if they do that well, they are accredited. It basically doesn't matter if their standards want to teach that creation happened in 6 24 hour days, if they do that well, they've passed their review (oh, and, the reviews are self generated by the institution on an honor system...)and can say they are accredited. No matter how that may line up against the standards of knowledge of geology as taught by Wake Forest, for example, or Duke...LU is just as accredited as they are.

No wonder the education level is what it is in this country...

I'm going to have to pay a much higher level of attention to the college my niece will choose in a couple of years...or, I can just make sure she goes to a reputable college...

Pr Chris

thensell:
ronjaboy:
mspencer4:

"Liberty" University by this action and admitted to in Falwell the Lesser's word above, have violated their covenant with the United States to adhere to the terms of their 501(c)3 incorporation. It doesn't get any simpler than that.

Impressive litany of dissident speakers! Why, there was John McCain's brother last year (what a libtard he is), and Ted Kennedy -- in 1983! No question that Liberty is a place where lots of different ideas are explored openly and objectively!

Thensell wrote: "Let's be clear on a couple of points. First and foremost, the students that applied to this University (and it is a fully accredited University) know full well what they were joining."

While I agree with your point it has nothing to do with us sitting outside the university. We have a right to comment on what a dispicable way a university that pretends to be all inclusive and all about goodness and morality acts. They call themselves "Liberty" university, yet act like dictators when it comes to how people think.

And many of these kids did not freely decide to attend Liberty. They were sent there by fundamentalist parents who want their children to continue to be isolated in a christian bubble. To them, religious and political discrimination is a way of life and so Liberty fits the bill for college. But that does not mean we should just shrug our shoulders and say "move on", especially when these religious fundamentalists continually charge that "left-wing" universities suppress right-wing thought. Its hypocritical and should be exposed for what it is.

And, if you read opinions on Liberties own website about this issue, faculty and students are behind the democrats club. A club needs a faculty sponsor and has one. The republican club is happy to have someone to debate, saying that you can't debate just among republicans. Falwell should listen to his own students and faculty who seem to understand the true meaning of "Liberty" better than he does.

Whatever the truth of this incident, one point remains crystal clear: Liberty University is a festering cesspool of homophobic bigotry.

Let's be clear on a couple of points. First and foremost, the students that applied to this University (and it is a fully accredited University) know full well what they were joining. They joined Liberty, not the other way around. Freedom in this country is a beautiful thing; the students were free to organize a club and the University if free to recognize it. It's really that simple.

The second point is just that. As a private University, Liberty is free to recognize and support those clubs that fit within its ideals. This club did not, and the University is not supporting it, or lending the right to use its name. While I never liked the idea of like it or leave; the students there knew what they were signing up for, and if they find it in direct conflict with thier values, they are free to leave. That's the great thing about private schools. You don't have to go to them and they don't have to accept you.

Stop trying to bring Bush into every conversation. For a party that wanted change (Democratic), a great number of people here sure can't move on.

You wrote:
To blindly support any candidate solely because of party affiliation irrespective of their moral views is wrong.

So Who Would Jesus Torture?

The good 'reverend' states: 'To blindly support any candidate solely because of party affiliation irrespective of their moral views is wrong.' So what about all those Republicans who tortured, started unjust wars, spied on fellow Americans without warrant, renditioned, and in general trashed the Constitution that guarantees the good reverend's rights to religous freedom and expression. Sounds like the good reverend blindly supports Republicans! Hypocrite - Jesus despised them and so do I.

All Democrats (who think like us) are welcome but....
Is Liberty tax exempt ????

To the grammerians here, I'm pretty sure the possessive form of it was taught for years as "its'". Perhaps in the age of self-esteem and "critical thinking" it was changed but Dr. Falwell is probably doing as he was taught, not wrong, different.

And it kind of seems a waste of breath to criticize a religious university for trying to instill and live by the values of its', you know, religion. It's not a secular, public university, it's a private, relgious school. they can do what they want.

Well, when you run a place with the word "Liberty" in its name, it's pretty obvious you've got to be very careful to keep out undesirables.

And I am sure that Jr. is right that Democrats are indeed welcome at LU. As long as they keep it to themselves. Don't ask. Don't tell.

As an unabashed "Democrat", I would have been offended if this were a "real university". Since it is not, I'll move on and catch up on the happenings in North Korea.

As an unabashed "Democrat", I would have been offended if this were a "real university". Since it is not, I'll move on and catch up on the happenings in North Korea.

so what other clubs were rejected during this "university-wide review"?

Mr Falwell Jr:

After looking at all the comments posted I think it would have been better if you left the defense of your "Liberty" Circus to one of the chimps there. You are not a very good ringmaster.

Mr Falwell Jr:

After looking atall the comments posted I think it would have been better if youft the defense of your "Liberty" Circus to one of the chimps there. You are not a very good ringmaster.

"Liberty University is pro-life and believes that marriage between one man and one woman provides the best environment for children."

Wow. This is the basis for a University?

Forturnately, terrorists like this, who falsely claim they are christian (or like the taliban who falsely claim to be muslim) always lose. Americans like their rights. Those who try to strip them away from them never succeed in the long run. No matter how much you quote the bible, we all know better.

Don't try to soft pedal your fatwa you dirt bag religious extremist.

Liberty University is really no better than any Madras in Pakistan that turns out hateful religious extremists. This was the same school which closed its doors on Election Day so all the students could go vote for GOP candidates.

God is obviously not pleased with the GOP or its religious supporters at Liberty since the GOP still lost Virginia by a wide margin...

great move. allows the rest of the non believers to oust those they disagree with. all these years of hearing the right complain about "left universities."
now the left won't have to apologize for believing in whatever they choose. the right to believe. what a concept.
the right has decided only my way or the highway is the way to go.
let the rightwingers and the leftwingers have their own version of reality on their own campuses.

the right to be a bigot should be everyone's right. usually found more often in closed minds, but whatever. he who is without sin.. and all that jazz.

mspencer4 wrote: "As usual, you liberals just love to attack anyone that has an opinion that is different from yours."

The same can be said of conservatives. Take Dick Cheney for example.

mspencer4 wrote: "Liberty University was founded on the principal that those attending would be someone that has a strong faith in God and the morals that are taught in the Bible."

And the Democrats in this club profess those values. Do they, by being democrats, automatically define themselves against those values? Just be saying they are democrats?

mspencer4 wrote: "And yes, gay marriage and abortion are contrary to Biblical teachings."

Well, they are contrary to some interpretations taught about the bible, but it is far from clear that the bible teaches against either gay marriage or abortion. Gay marriage is a legal contract. And in the bible, abortion is, in some places, to be paid for with a fine, not hellfire. So unless you consider j-walking a sin you ought to consider that the bible is up for interpretation, and the teachings you were taught are not absolute.

mspencer4 wrote: "For the University to sanction such a club or fraternity would be opposite of all that it stands for."

Most people call that censorship. That is fine if that is what a private university which receives no outside funding wants to do. But then please don't try to say the university has some level of inclusiveness. Be honest. It excludes all who side with a party which has as part of its platform anything that is against this "moral code", which begs the question, why is there a "republican club"? Have you seen the republican platform? Death Penalty. Pre-emptive war. Cuts in social services for the poor. Etc... How can a university which bases its moral code on biblical teachings allow those who side with such a political platform to attend much less provide a sanctioned club and facilities? Or are only selective moral codes applied while others ignored?

Just what a thought a bunch of mental Midgets and cowards to boot.

The Party of Repukes Wrapped the American Flag around themselves and proclaimed themselves to be the True Patriots. Then they snookered the Evangelicals into believing they were the True Believers and made sure they were Photo-Op 'ed sitting in the Front Row at a church in DC. Condi, Rumsfeld, Rove, Cheney, Bush sitting in the front row their with their hands folded, as they contemplated the Neo-Cons plan for the invasion of Iraq, pushed by the American Enterprise Institute. The Failed Plan became the Destruction of the American Economy and the Constitution became a Roll of Toilet Paper for Wolfowitz, Frum, Kristol,John Yoo, Kagan,Gerson, Bybee,George Will and the Heritage Foundation.

The Party of Repukes Wrapped the American Flag around themselves and proclaimed themselves to be the True Patriots. Then they snookered the Evangelicals into believing they were the True Believers and made sure they were Photo-Op 'ed sitting in the Front Row at a church in DC. Condi, Rumsfeld, Rove, Cheney, Bush sitting in the front row their with their hands folded, as they contemplated the Neo-Cons plan for the invasion of Iraq, pushed by the American Enterprise Institute. The Failed Plan became the Destruction of the American Economy and the Constitution became a Roll of Toilet Paper for Wolfowitz, Frum, Kristol,John Yoo, Kagan,Gerson, Bybee,George Will and the Heritage Foundation.

"The students who formed the Democrat club last October are good students. They are pro-life and believe in traditional marriage. They can continue to meet on campus. The only thing that has changed came about as part of a University-wide review of all student organizations for official recognition status. 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."
___________________________________________________
This says a mouthful:
-if they weren't pro-life would they be bad students?
- why can't this group be considered in the elite- that is gain official recognition status? it couldn't be because they're not quite good students, could it?
- would JF Jr. even be a christian if he wasn't the son of JF Sr.?

"Christian University" is an oxymoron. Plain and simple.

Monica Goodling.

'nuff said.

Pr Chris

Bob Jones, Oral Roberts and Jerry Falwell all founded indoctrination centers to enable and perpetuate their own brand of fundamentalist hate and intolerence of others not pure enough in their belief system.
It is curious that another readers comment states that "Moonie money" bailed out Liberty U, a South Korean Jesus Wana-Be buying street-cred into the Republican Party. A person Republican Christians fall over themselves to get his money and Washington Times endorsments to get while Rev. Moon prophesizes that he is "Jesus", "what a load!"

The possessive pronoun "its" is usually misspelled "it's." Mr. Falwell, to his everlasting discredit, introduces a whole new level of ignorance to English usage by placing the extraneous apostrophe after the "s." That's unique and very creative, but why didn't a Washington Post editor correct the error?

And we should unquestioningly accept your version of events exactly why, Mr. Falwell? So you are not going to "fund" a Democratic student organization but will continue to fund a Republican student organization. Lovely.

So you have no compunction to behave by the rule of law; that makes you a sinner, a criminal, and a hypocrite. Sum it all up and in likelihood you're a liar as well.

Of course, Democrats MONEY is what's really welcome at Liberty.

If Falwell was an honest man, he would admit as much. If there's one thing that the Falwells love more than God, it's the sweet smell of U.S. greenbacks.

I remember my days at Liberty University with great fondness. In fact, I used to see you as I returned from morning chants, you playing on the lawn in front of Chancellor's mansion. I thought it was rather odd to see you playing with girly toys but that's no matter. Is it? I am so glad that you are following in senior's tracks. He did not want people to sin; in fact, he, taking God's place, wanted to remove any chance that they would by taking away their choice.

A Democrat Liberty University student is like a gay Republican... I know they exist, but I don't understand why people would voluntarily join groups with such hostility towards them. More power to them, I guess, but they could just leave and go somewhere where they're more welcome.

Posted by: mspencer4
As usual, you liberals just love to attack anyone that has an opinion that is different from yours. Liberty University was founded on the principal that those attending would be someone that has a strong faith in God and the morals that are taught in the Bible. And yes, gay marriage and abortion are contrary to Biblical teachings. For the University to sanction such a club or fraternity would be opposite of all that it stands for.
-----------------------------
mspencer4 ,
you are missing completely what is at issue here. Liberty University is a 501c Non-profit organization, which means it is receieving tax exempt status. As such, it must abide by the rules that governs all non-profits. Mr. Falwell & you seem to think that your organization can take public money but decide which rules you want to follow; ergo the reason you are receiving so much backlash. Maybe if the university quit acting like an entitled welfare moma and go completely private you won't receive so much well placed angst from the public.

Yonkers, New York
26 May 2009

I should ask Mr. Jerry Falwell Jr, chancellor of Liberty University, this question:

Does Liberty University teach its students to be lawless?

If his answer is "No," then why is one of Liberty University's core values unyielding and unalterable opposition to abortion?

Is not Roe v. Wade the law of the land? And does not Roe v. Wade permit abortion as legal?

Mariano Patalinjug

Mr. Falwell,
you speak with a forked tongue and your article comes deadly close to violating your 501c Non-profit status. The fact is your school is more fitted for producing republican politicains than Christians. It is clear from your article that the moment a student identifies themselves as a democrat they will be ostrazed and their campus activity defunded. So stop making it sound like you are so fair minded when in fact you are not! The reporters reported accurately what it is you are doing and the world see it as well.

gr8day4bsbll

You wrote, "This form of "Christianity" is not particularly Christian. After all, Jesus was himself considered a liberal in his time..."

Jesus was considered radical, crazy, blasphemous and some thought He either was doing satan's work or was satan but as far as I know He was not considered "liberal", that is much too tame.

Some thought that He claimed to be God in that He claimed to forgive sins and even tho He was and is God, many did not get past Jesus's claim and actually believe it.

Some did come to believe Jesus's claim.

Some are more "Christian" where it counts that don't believe that Jesus is Who He Is than some that believe.

As I have said: God is a searcher of hearts and minds, not of religious affiliations or lack thereof and I believe that there will be some, on both sides so to speak, in for a surprise.

One of the things that I have noticed is that I can't live anyone else's life but that there are quite a few who try to live other's life rather than their own.

Everything that Jesus taught, was born and lived and died for, can be boiled down to one word, LOVE, and it just so happens that God is a Being of Pure Love.

God looks at the person, not the "label".

See you and the rest of humanity in the Kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Mr. Falwell,

Very good article. Thanks for the spiritual vigilance at your school. You seem to understand the importance of your educational mission very well, and that bodes well for Liberty's long-term fidelity to the Scriptures and academic excellence. Keep up the good work.

Democrats are welcome at Liberty [mutter, pro-life, mutter, anti-gay, mutter, national party not pro-life and not anti-gay, mutter, club dismissed from campus] and we welcome them.

You don't lie nearly as well as your father.

Whacko.....with a capital W....Daddy's lil boy...

"While many schools have faced budget short falls and declining enrollment, Liberty is debt free and continues to grow at a rapid rate." ~ Falwell

___________________________

The only reason that Liberty is "debt-free" is because the self-proclaimed "New Messiah", the not-very-Reverend Sung Myung Moon, rescued Liberty from the brink of bankruptcy with a $3.5 million grant and the purchase of Liberty's debt.

Don't ask Falwell why he would accept money from the Moonies. He would only lie.

Mr Falwell Jr: The Democrat that is still welcome at your "Liberty" Indoctrinaction Compound is Mr Zen Miller?

Still, who new there could be so much *money* in indoctrinating people to conservative ideology...

...Oh. Right. Anyone who looks.

Mr. Falwell? :)

"I think a quick effort to remove tax-exempt status from Falwell's madrasah is a no-brainer"

Well, as he's boasting, they're just all kinds of flush with funding over there.

Or do they need the taxpayer subsidies to be so, actually? Hrm.

Personally, I have no interest in their profitable venture in indoctrination substituting for what's left of education in America, but I'm sure they're *so* much better and more 'fiscally conservative' than us that they'll 'voluntarily regulate' themselves and put the money back where it's needed.

Cause they're just that Christian, right?

I think a quick effort to remove tax-exempt status from Falwell's madrasah is a no-brainer. Ending taxpayer subsidies (such as federal student loan support, Pell grants, etc.) should be next on the list.

They have clearly adopted a one-party political platform there, which is fine for a private institution but not for one on the dole from the public. Any estimates on how long it would take the Republicans to do this if the opposite had taken place?

While students are free to meet on campus, debate and discuss politics of every stripe, the University will remain true to its' core principles and not lend its' name or fund groups that work to undermine the principles that make Liberty attractive to so many people.

##############################################

It is ridiculous for Liberty U to hide behind the funding excuse for not sponsoring an official Democratic Club. The University could solve that problem by allocating the club only $1 per year. I don't think the students would object.

No, the real issue is that University views these clubs as agents for advancing the official ideology, as opposed to enhancing the interests and development of the students.

"And, never has the University or its' officials said that a person cannot be a Christian and a Democrat."

Nice straw man, Chancellor. Who suggested that anyone at Liberty DID say this? Maybe you just thought its' [sic] sounded good. Silly, disingenuous, grammatically-challenged person. You aren't half as clever as you think. But you ARE amusing. Thanks!

Or.. In true Religious Right GOP fashion, Rev. Falwell, Jr can just be heard to have said, "I'd like to answer these libelous charges by calling people liars for saying we are doing these things which I will now defend us doing by doing more of the same." :)

Just cause you think you're 'justified' being partisan, Mr. Falwell (no wonder you can boast of having the big money as if it validates what the school does while claiming to be a real university.)

You've chosen a very Roveian-doublespeak name for the place.

The 'Defense Of Marriage' Act, even if signed by a conservative evangelical Democrat... is not 'pro-Liberty,' ...it even flies in the face of the very 'States' Rights' platform the Evangelical Republicans supposedly have. (Don't want federal *civil rights* laws, but sure aren't in a hurry to use any means possible to try to hurt queer people and non-Evangelicals anywhere *else* in the country you like, eh?)

You *call* the Dems 'far left' just cause you're so far off the board into theocratic and (sorry to use the word on the Net) fascistic ambitions: (Anyone different enjoying equal rights is 'attacking' and needs to be 'defended' against, notably.)

Calling that institution 'Liberty' is so *Orwellian* given your stated agendas here, it'd almost make more sense if *I* started a university and called it 'Evangelical University Of Jesus, Accredited. Really." :)

Mr. Falwell,
I am certain you believe you have chartered a way forward on this issue that is fair,inclusive,and reaffirms the values that make Liberty attractive. I do not doubt you wrote in good faith. However, it is faith that is lacking in your approach. How disengenuous your tone is when you describe these students as believers in traditional marriage and being pro-life, and thus good students.I've never heard an administratir of a university public or private qualify a good student by such means. Having faith is me knowing that if I wanted to attend your university I would be a good student yearning for information to question, inspire, and enlighten while I formulate my beliefs into clarity. This is the process by which young American minds thrive Mr Falwell. I do not have to be like-minded to respect the views of Liberty. I can challenge them, respect them and learn something positive about what I believe that others disagree. An upright university would teach me to understand how to consider all the factors that formulate these differing opinions and how they can be discussed with civility on a campus private or public. Cynicism is very cunning Mr. Falwell. I might not fully understand your vision of a sound institution, but faith requires tolerance of all inquiry. This is how you strenghthen justice and generate love,and yes, foster a learning environment.Your litmus test for socially engineering what you believe to be harmonious is no substitute for the real life search for truth. You weaken Christianity robbing it of its resilience and vitality by disrupting people on their spiritual path. You do not have faith that what you believe will be self-evident. You need to go back and allow anyone to be your guru. Lastly, I want to remind you that traditional marriage is not doing so well raising our children and gays have nothing to do with it. While your worried about them the sanctimony of traditional marriage is morally under siege. Do you fell were doing enough to save it? Love is not something you want to oppose Mr. Falwell. I'm not to keen on homosexuality either, but your fear mongering makes a mockery of the forces at play on this question. We need to pay attention to what God reveals about this question and pay less attention to our own objections. A man of God has the faith to let this process occur. It seems you choose again to have to intervene and use your temporal power and influence to gain your predisposed result which may also be God's intention as well, but what if its not? Would you recognize it under these circumstances. What should concern us is that the world is getting to noisy and we run the risk of not hearing Him when we are supposed to.

This raises a point: Because the University is now systematically endorsing one party over another, it is now a political organization and, thus, donations for Liberty University should be considered as political contributions and, as such, are not qualified for tax deductible purpose.

Mr. Falwell,
I am certain you believe you have chartered a way forward on this issue that is fair,inclusive,and reaffirms the values that make Liberty attractive. I do not doubt you wrote in good faith. However, it is faith that is lacking in your approach. How disengenuous your tone is when you describe these students as believers in traditional marriage and being pro-life, and thus good students.I've never heard an administratir of a university public or private qualify a good student by such means. Having faith is me knowing that if I wanted to attend your university I would be a good student yearning for information to question, inspire, and enlighten while I formulate my beliefs into clarity. This is the process by which young American minds thrive Mr Falwell. I do not have to be like-minded to respect the views of Liberty. I can challenge them, respect them and learn something positive about what I believe that others disagree. An upright university would teach me to understand how to consider all the factors that formulate these differing opinions and how they can be discussed with civility on a campus private or public. Cynicism is very cunning Mr. Falwell. I might not fully understand your vision of a sound institution, but faith requires tolerance of all inquiry. This is how you strenghthen justice and generate love,and yes, foster a learning environment.Your litmus test for socially engineering what you believe to be harmonious is no substitute for the real life search for truth. You weaken Christianity robbing it of its resilience and vitality by disrupting people on their spiritual path. You do not have faith that what you believe will be self-evident. You need to go back and allow anyone to be your guru. Lastly, I want to remind you that traditional marriage is not doing so well raising our children and gays have nothing to do with it. While your worried about them the sanctimony of traditional marriage is morally under siege. Do you fell were doing enough to save it? Love is not something you want to oppose Mr. Falwell. I'm not to keen on homosexuality either, but your fear mongering makes a mockery of the forces at play on this question. We need to pay attention to what God reveals about this question and pay less attention to our own objections. A man of God has the faith to let this process occur. It seems you choose again to have to intervene and use your temporal power and influence to gain your predisposed result which may also be God's intention as well, but what if its not? Would you recognize it under these circumstances. What should concern us is that the world is getting to noisy and we run the risk of not hearing Him when we are supposed to.

oxymoron = Liberty University

Does having good morals include cheating on your wife like Jim Baker and paying for prostitutes to satisfy your sexual needs like Jimmy Swaggart?

Like Father like Son

I would like to know exactly what type of person would like to attend Liberty College. It must be someone who does not think for themselves and thus blindly follows what they are told by their supposed leaders. Someone like the lawyer at DOJ who gave republican litmus tests to all who wanted to join the justice department.

I would like to know exactly what type of person would like to attend Liberty College. It must be someone who does not think for themselves and thus blindly follows what they are told by their supposed leaders. Someone like the lawyer at DOJ who gave republican litmus tests to all who wanted to join the justice department.

I've been to Liberty's web site and found many interesting articles about the democrats club and more importantly found that most faculty and students, even the republican club, are in favor of a democrats club. All feel debate should be open and free. Fallwell's article reminds me of the 1960s when college administrators tried to stiffle free speach only to have students and faculty oppose obvious restrictions on their freedoms and Constitutionally protected rights to the point of open revolt. Its sounds like Falwell has something similar on his hands, students who feel the truth is nothing to hide and free speech is their right and do not like the idea of suppressing it in any way.

Good luck with that Falwell. You can only suppress the human spirit so far, even with good intention, and a human will revolt, and even those who oppose that person's views will revolt, against the greater evil of the suppression of freedom. The question is how far are you going to go to suppress this new club. Will you allow freedom, suppress freedom, or try to walk a thin line. Your article seems to show you've chosen the latter. This strategy never works for very long. Better get use to the "liberty" in your school's name actually meaning what the dictionary says it does or lose even the republicans at the school. I can hear them singing now...:

And its' one, two, three
What are we fightin' for
My Goodness I don't give a snap,
Next stop its' old Iraq

And its' five, six, seven
Open up them pearly gates,
Oh, there ain't no use to wonderin' why,
Hoo-Lord we're all gonna die!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/22/AR2009052202189.html
How many Chancellors can dance on the head of a pin? And does this Chancellor not stand behind his VP of student affairs?

VP Hines: "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 moral principles held by Liberty University. I expressed these concerns when we met, earlier in the spring semester.

The Liberty Way states, "It is the duty of every student to respect Liberty's Statement of Doctrine and Purpose. They may not engage in any activity on or off campus that would compromise the testimony or reputation of the University or cause disruption to Liberty's Christian learning environment."

Seems pretty clear to me no activity "on or off campus" seems like a "ban" to me.

Hines: "Student clubs or organizations must request and receive permission from the Liberty University administration before they may meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use any University facilities for their activities or events."

A little prior restraint maybe?

Hines: "We are removing the club from the Liberty website and you will need to cease using Liberty University's name, including any logo, seal or mark of Liberty University. They are not to be used in any of your publications, electronic or internet, including but not limited to, any website, Facebook, Twitter or any other such publication."

You might be able to parse the following sentences and find them technically true. But they are clearly misleading.

Falwell "The University has not banned Democrats from campus. Nor has the Democrat club been banned from meeting."

But they have banned the Democrats' club from meeting on campus. (And was the club actually titled 'The Democrat club"?") I am sorry this is just cleverly parsed special pleading. Mr./Prof. HInes made Liberty's position crystal clear. At least as reported by the Post.

I've been to Liberty's web site and found many interesting articles about the democrats club and more importantly found that most faculty and students, even the republican club, are in favor of a democrats club. All feel debate should be open and free. Fallwell's article reminds me of the 1960s when college administrators tried to stiffle free speach only to have students and faculty oppose obvious restrictions on their freedoms and Constitutionally protected rights to the point of open revolt. Its sounds like Falwell has something similar on his hands, students who feel the truth is nothing to hide and free speech is their right and do not like the idea of suppressing it in any way.

Good luck with that Falwell. You can only suppress the human spirit so far, even with good intention, and a human will revolt, and even those who oppose that person's views will revolt, against the greater evil of the suppression of freedom. The question is how far are you going to go to suppress this new club. Will you allow freedom, suppress freedom, or try to walk a thin line. Your article seems to show you've chosen the latter. This strategy never works for very long. Better get use to the "liberty" in your school's name actually meaning what the dictionary says it does or lose even the republicans at the school. I can hear them singing now...:

And its' one, two, three
What are we fightin' for
My Goodness I don't give a snap,
Next stop its' old Iraq

And its' five, six, seven
Open up them pearly gates,
Oh, there ain't no use to wonderin' why,
Hoo-Lord we're all gonna die!

Sooo LU attorneys advised Falwell jr to comment before LU looses its tax exempt status.

One party recognized. Sounds kind of s-o-c-i-a-l-i-s-t. What is funny though is that after the Stalinistas installed their coup last week we have not heard from many of the little trotskyites who make up the sudent body. Is it because they stand behind this or, are they afraid of those in charge of the university and fear what punishment might come at the hands of those in charge. Me thinks Mr. Falwell and Mr Hines rule with an iron hand.

What a perfect gem typifying the small-mindedness of Liberty U. First, evidently, the real victim here is the University itself, having been subjected to all manner of vicious attacks, minor elements of which were not 100% accurate! Then, the Democratic Club students themselves have been harmed from all this uproar, since they are not bad people -- why, they're pro-life!

Finally, the University had to take this step because it was part of a University-wide review (which must mean something), and it turns out, at the end of the day, that the reason for all this gnashing of teeth and press attacks and so on is - wait for it - the darn libruls in Washington who insist on putting scandalous nonsense into their organizational documents, and then insisting that innocent students -- pro-life students! -- must swear a loyalty-oath.

Thank God for Liberty U's standing up against evil libruls and in favor of good, pro-life, students!

Another question:

Those attending "classes" on "campus" (not "on line") at this "Liberty" thing, arrive on mules?

And a related question:

Those doing it "on line" do it with or without the fishing pole attached to it (to the "line")?

Question:

At this "Liberty" thing are the "students" told by their "mentors" that something known as the Hubble telescope exists?

Or that is also against the Bible teachings?

James3D, you are right, "its'" cannot possibly ever be correct under any circumstances. I'm pretty sure he meant "it's." He can't even get it "less wrong." I can only imagine Jon Meacham standing by laughing his a-s-s off at Falwell's idiocy, and publishing it as written just to let the fool embarrass himself.

I don't understand why a Democrat or Republican or anybody for that matter wants to attend this University. The very label "University" denotes the study of a wide range of subjects from all perspectives....not happening at Liberty.

Mr. Fallwell states two things that he and his college do not stand for. It would have been more interesting if he stated the things that he and his college do stand for, considering their support of all thngs Republican. Since he has not, I will.

Liberty University stands for the death penalty, despite the fact that the death penalty is unChristian as outlines in the Ten Commandments.

Liberty University supports the use of torture.

Liberty University supports stripping an entire prisonful of inmates of their clothes, taunting them with dogs, and forcing them to perform sex actions upon themselves while others watched.

Liberty supports the cause of UNJUST wars, such as the one in Iraq, wars that resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

Mr. Fallwell, can you answer me this: As God surveys the death and destruction that this country has foisted upon Iraq, does God look on approvingly. Does God support the invasion of Iraq? the torture of the prisoners in Gitmo? the stripping of the prisoners at Abu Grahv? Does he really consider two people of the same sex having sex more immoral than waterboarding a person over one hundred times?

Appreciated a factually challenged blowhard at a tax exempt religious university using Christinanity as a defense for being a blowhard.

OK, luispanagi:

No more jokes about the non-word, its' [sic]. We shouldn't make light of the (very) right Reverend. But to benefit those who actually pay for an "education" under Mr. Falwell's righteous rule, I feel compelled to point out the Reverend's incorrect use of a semi-colon in the final sentence. One often sees this kind of error in high school theme papers. If it were a 10th-grade essay, I suspect the Chancellor's work would earn a C+ (or maybe a B-). Bravo!

That's DemocratIC Club, you partisan hack! And you should be proud of them - they were ranked the top Young Democratic Club in Virginia last year. Stop trying to sweep your embarrassment under the rug.

Frankly, I'm surprised that you didn't call them the "Socialist Democrat Club".

I went to the calculator and I feel much better now. 50,000 is less than 0.02% of our population. We are safe!

luispanagi is absolutely correct. Any school that officially equates "good" to being pro-life and teaches dogma (creationism) instead of real science SHOULD NOT RECEIVE PUBLIC TAX FUNDS- Liberty U. is not a University, it is a Obviously a Religious School, and should be funded ONLY by those who want to contribute or who subscribe to that particular religious viewpoint. Same goes for Catholic and other religious indoctrination schools.
This NATION was founded on the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, PERIOD!

To all my fellow readers: Please stop criticizing the apostrophe that appears after "its" all over the author´s article. That apostrophe is "Sacred" since it has been placed there by the "Hand of God" and, therefore and hereby, is absolutely prohibited to question it. Understand? Or shall we prohibit you to post comments?

Democrats? Welcome.

Science? Not so much.

This likely would better be addressed to the Ombudsman, but why no [sic] with the its'?

To all those who comment, you must remember that this is a private university and they can do pretty much what they choose, within certain boundaries set by the State and the Feds. As a Deist, I would probably not be welcome there as a professor or student. I am fine with that; their values are not my values. Let them have their ivy covered U and let them govern it as they see fit.

To those who would attend such a university, it is governed properly and the mote in our eyes is the important thing. To the rest of us, the beam seems to be ever present in the eyes of the "truly" faithful and makes itself known with certain regularity. How about this? I will work on my mote if you work on your beam.

I would like to know if this thing called "Liberty University" receives any taxpayer money. If it does, that should stop NOW!

50,000 on-line students?? Really? How well can 50,000 on-line students learn when there is no group discussion?
Or is it just group-think? Falwell's son sounds like a twit who is striving to save his financial interest in his father's
corporate religion firm. These people don't teach Godliness because there is nothing Godly about what they do and say. They are making MONEY, for THEMSELVES. This is the family business and Jesus would throw them out. Falwell must have been jealous as all get-out with the financial methods of Jim and Tammy Baker during their reign of fraud.

Einstein once said "Imagination is better than knowledge" but Einstein never advocated that individuals should not to try to adquire some knowledge first.

At this "Liberty" Indoctrination Center (I can NOT call that thing a "University") they believe that "Obscurantism" is better than knowledge and better than anything else on Earth.

And people pay to go there? Really absurd!

Dear Chancellor:

It's "its," ditz. To my knowledge, *its'* isn't even a word. Most of us learn that in third grade. Sweet!

Despite your fundamental troubles with English (are you an illegal immigrant?), I'm impressed that Liberty has had three DemocratIC speakers since 1983. With numbers like those, who ever could question the university's commitment to independent thought and diversity?

Thank you for the insights, sir. Well done, all the way around.

So... in this "Liberty" University (which shows no much liberty for each individual to think independently apparently)... so... in this "Liberty" University students can NOT learn about Evolution for example because is contrary to the Bible teachings... wow!

Do they allow the Internet in "Liberty" University or not (because it shows to porno)?

Why do they call that thing a "University" can someone tell me?

50,000 students and the chancellor doesn't even have a proper grasp of the English language. To the decent students studying there....leave ASAP.

As usual, you liberals just love to attack anyone that has an opinion that is different from yours. Liberty University was founded on the principal that those attending would be someone that has a strong faith in God and the morals that are taught in the Bible. And yes, gay marriage and abortion are contrary to Biblical teachings. For the University to sanction such a club or fraternity would be opposite of all that it stands for.

and i always considered that the core mission of any university was to expose its students to a variety of new ideas, something verboten at falwell u. they seem to think indocrination is preferable to education. thank god i attended a different kind of school, one that had aspirations beyond confirming my native ignorance. what i really resent about all this is the way "schools" like liberty, regent, patrick henry, and bob jones cheapen and tarnish the name 'university.' intellectual cesspool would be closer to the mark.

The original A-hole may be dead, but his legacy is in full flower with Jr.

Mr. Falwell,

You have written this length exactly for what purpose? You state that news stories are wrong but have not bothered to provide your version of the story. So, what is the truth? May be that is a question beyond your capacity?

This comment has nothing to do with the specific issue under debate. I note, however, that every use of the pronoun "its" referring to Liberty University in Falwell's piece incorrectly used an apostrophe to signify possession ("its' distinctly Christian identity," "Liberty University will not lend its' name," "the University will remain true to its' core principles"). Correct grammar dictates an apostrophe is improper in each of these instances. It's pathetic (see, that's a proper apostrophe, though as a contraction, not to signify possession) that the head of a large university could make such a fundamental mistake, and do so consistently. Obviously, Falwell's education in English is seriously lacking. Liberty University obviously does not require the son of its founder to meet the standards one would expect for a university chancellor.

You can tell that the spin is coming when the first paragraph is all about the evils of the so-called "liberal press". In fact, it's Falwell who can't abide by the truth. His school refuses to recognize a student group because of their political affiliation, even though the individual students have done nothing wrong. The damage the graduates of this University has done to America by their support of the criminal Bush regime is huge. The school now establishes itself as a partisan university and, as such, should lose all tax-exempt status. What a sad excuse for an University education.

"The students who formed the Democrat club last October are good students. They are pro-life and believe in traditional marriage"

I never saw "good student" define as such. I always thought it had to do with academic prowess and intellectual acumen.

"Democrat club" my left foot, you right wing charlatan.

I vote we insert a taxpayer-funded IRS proctoscope to see if you have any financial polyps.

Your tax-exempt status should be REVOKED. But, once again, Democrats are made of chicken manure, so you're safe, there, Junior. Have a fun time fattening up for your old age on a widow's last dollar.

Thank goodness, I'm glad that's all cleared up. I mean, not officially recognizing a student organization based on a national affiliation rather than the expressed beliefs of the students involved and denying them access to funds drawn from their own tuition dollars seems perfectly reasonable. And here I was worried they would have to meet off-campus. Now that I know its' (sorry, it's) all the media's fault, I'm certainly breathing easier. Kudos to the Chancellor for the fortitude to use the media to blame it.

This response from Mr. Falwell begins by claiming that the media has distorted the facts of the incident. But once you read further along in the response, Falwell acknowledges that pretty much everything that was reported is actually true. The far right is desperately clinging to its blanket of hypocrisy, fear and hatred. It keeps them warm at night. And as many others have pointed out, how ridiculously ironic that this happened at an institution calling itself Liberty Univesity.

And is the REPUBLICAN club officially authorized at Liberty? Somehow, I suspect that it is.

As Nazi POW camp Col. Klink often announced, "The choice is yours, but the decision has already been made for you." Falwell's claim that all points of view at Liberty U. are welcome but are not supported is hypocritical at best. I find it absolutely incredulous that every student in the Democratic club accepts Liberty U.'s pro-life, anti-gay, traditional marriage doctrine. Even in rural Virginia, it's hard to believe that there is not a single GLTG student on the LU campus. So much for institutions that value intelligent discussion of differing views, respectful dissert, broad views of the world, and inclusive thinking. An institution of higher learning? That's is a joke. Institution of neo-con indoctrination is a far more fitting discription.

Lies & dishonesty masquerading as "higher" education. An educated person would suspect the Bush/Cheney hires of disciples of Liberty......what kind of Civil Servants should the majority of Americans suspect these Liberty folks are & have been? Imagine who these disciples think need to be wiretapped..... phone records....financial records examined? Oh....nevermind contractors do those things for Bush & Cheney.

Liberty University leads in the nation...in trying to lead the nation on a forced march back to the Dark Ages. Evidently those were the "good, old days."

Rev. Falwell,
If Liberty does not endorse any political party, why do you use the Republican-created pejoritive adjective "Democrat" in referring to the organization in question as a "Democrat club" rather than as a "Democratic club"?

Liberty U is a fifth-rate institution graduating brainwashed Stepford students who are incapable of thinking for themselves.

Same difference. Cutting off funding for a student organization and withdrawing the official university recognition is censoring an oposing point of view and run counter to the spirit of openess for discussion required for a university to prosper. This is also an opening to a policy of official harassment of one student group while favoring the oposing student group even though both pay the same tuition, out of which funding for the university comes from.

How does a university founded by Jerry Falwell, and now maintained by his son, manage to receive accreditation? I can only hope that they do not receive any federal funds for any purpose. Although if they do, the university can lose any gov't money under the establishment clause and hopefully shut down. It's just a pipe dream but maybe......... Liberty u. is by no means an academic institution. It is merely a religious mishap who leader was finally struck down by his god to prevent him from doing any further harm!

The Reality of Evangelical Foundations 101
(for those eyes that have not seen)

Luther, Calvin, Joe Smith, Henry VIII, Wesley, Roger Williams, the Great “Babs” et al, founders of Christian-based religions or combination religions also suffered from the belief in/hallucinations of "pretty wingie thingie"/angel visits and "prophecies" for profits analogous to the myths of Catholicism (resurrections, apparitions, ascensions and immaculate conceptions).

Current crises:

Adulterous preachers, "propheteering/ profiteering" evangelicals and atonement theology, all male hierarchies and strange banking and funding.

Just another narrow-minded rant from the apple that didn't fall far from the tree. It's hard to understand how Liberty can call itself a "University" when there's nothing universal about it -- it's simply a school whose mission appears to be instilling radical right-wing views into the next generation of the Republican party. In this way, Liberty would appear to be no different than the madrasas in the middle east that are responsible for the radical version of Islam that we are -- together -- fighting against.

This form of "Christianity" is not particularly Christian. After all, Jesus was himself considered a liberal in his time...

So, where can one make a contribution to the Democrats Club at Liberty University?

Obviously, they will not have the support of the school to which they pay their tuition.

So all the students in the Democrats club are pro-life and believe in traditional marriage? Really? Hmmmm... I am suspicious of any institution of higher learning that subscribes to the idea that all its students believe in one idea or another. It misses the point of higher learning entirely. I have their new slogan all ready to go though "Liberty University: We frown on disagreement."

Mr. Falwell,

Not to question your own education, but in six places you have the word its with an apostrophe (its'). The possessive form of it is its, without the apostrophe.