- May 26th, 2009, 12:46 pm
#259875
I have followed this situation since it came to my attention Friday afternoon. I have refrained from posting until now, but I have enjoyed everyone’s musings on the topic. A few of my thoughts…
First, I’m a little disappointed that so many on here, most of them Liberty alumni, scorched the University early for the decision they made, trusting the media before hearing Chancellor Falwell’s official response and side of the story. I expect I and my fellow alumni in the future will not jump to such harsh conclusions so quickly.
Secondly, IF Mark Hine made the statement he did, then he erred in judgment, to be sure. But is it possible that in a meeting with Childress and others, he may have alluded more to the effect of a person’s inability to be a Christian, and endorse the Democratic platform as a whole? None of us – aside from Hine, Childress and others present – may know for sure. But I’m not about to assume that Mr. Hine would make such a bold and all-encompassing statement as Democrats cannot be Christians, or vice versa. Instead, I choose to trust Chancellor Falwell in his statement, “Never has the University or its officials said that a person cannot be a Christian and a Democrat.”
Third, I agree with the decision in its form outlined by Chancellor Falwell in both his email, as well as his op-ed piece published on the LU website. At no time would I want my alma mater to lend its name, or funding to a group which endorses candidates whose moral decisions are contrary to the Bible. No one on here is debating the biblical principles behind the University’s positions on abortion and marriage. Why then are some disputing a decision the University has made based squarely upon those biblical doctrines?
The issues of abortion and marriage to the American public are considered social issues. However, to Christians, these are issues of morality, with clear points of right and wrong as accorded throughout Scripture. The importance of this difference cannot be understated. It is upon this moral dilemma that the University chose to act, and continues to defend its decision.
Furthermore, the LU chapter of the College Democrats club did apparently state within its charter that it is a pro-life and pro-family (one man-one woman) organization. I applaud the members of the group for taking such a stand. However, by Childress’ own admission in this forum, the club placed an endorsement in now-President Obama during his election campaign. Based upon his career voting record, he is arguably the most liberal-minded national public servant ever to hold the position. In addition, he is an unabashed proponent of abortion rights. Therefore, the club’s endorsement of him, presumably just because he is a Democrat, is just as reprehensible as any alleged (and I believe, false) remarks of a college administrator that a Christian cannot be a Democrat (or vice versa).
Finally, I am proud to be an alum of an institution which has made such a decision. I wish the College Democrats of LU well in their continued debate of various issues among the student body, and also in their desire to effect change within the Democratic Party. I am also grateful to Chancellor Falwell and the LU administrators involved in the decision for making a sound judgment in their continued biblical representation of these moral issues.