[jcmanson]

one of you guys needs to change avatars, because I thought it was one dude arguing with himself.

I refuse. I had this first.

[ALUmnus]

The band were put out by how ridiculous that was and vowed never to play LU again.

Point goes to LU.

[mrmacphisto]

The band were put out by how ridiculous that was and vowed never to play LU again.

Point goes to LU.

I'm not a Ws fan either, or a fan of swing dancing, but I'd be P-to-the-ISSED if my fans/concert goers weren't allowed to enjoy the show as it was meant to be enjoyed.

[DeathCab4LU]

this past weekend there was some kind of salsa thing going on in the schilling put on by some school sponsered organization....so dancing must be ok....

I remember when people were instructed not to swing dance at a Ws concert back in the day. The band were put out by how ridiculous that was and vowed never to play LU again. That was back when people were starting to take swing dancing lessons, a practice that was prohibited soon after.

It's good to know things are becoming a little more reasonable.

Got to admit I was a W's fan back in the day

[El Scorcho]

this past weekend there was some kind of salsa thing going on in the schilling put on by some school sponsered organization....so dancing must be ok....

I remember when people were instructed not to swing dance at a Ws concert back in the day. The band were put out by how ridiculous that was and vowed never to play LU again. That was back when people were starting to take swing dancing lessons, a practice that was prohibited soon after.

It's good to know things are becoming a little more reasonable.

I was in school during this concert. I don't remember anyone telling us not to dance and I had a lot of friends who were taking swing dancing lessons. I just asked a couple of them via IM if anyone ever asked them to stop. That wasn't the case for them.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but it sounds like another case of some RA's making up the rules as they go.

[ALAFlamesFan]

“Good, clean fun is what it is,” Falwell Jr. said. “If you ask most students, they’d say it’s a cultural shock to come here. They have a curfew, a dress code and have to go to chapel and church. It’s a challenge for us to make it a fun, positive experience."

I loved most of my experience at LU but this quote sums up my biggest beef. Our over-emphasis on extra-Biblical, socially behind the times rules make it "a challenge for us to make it a fun, positive experience."

As someone that has been involved in youth ministry the past 15 years I find this the saddest quote. Following Christ is the most exciting and "positive experience" one can experience yet to those outside the faith (especially in Lynchburg) they see the Liberty Way stuff and equate the cultural stuff (dress code, no dancing, no this, no that) to Christianity and say NO THANK YOU.

It is refreshing to see Jerry Jr. call this a "challenge". It was for me back in the day as a Liberty student trying to reach out to Lynchburg kids who walked outside the "christian culture". I like the direction Jerry Jr taking LU. Keep it up!

This development could go a long way toward helping us overcome some of the misconceptions or "challenges" we have imposed on ourselves and the Gospel by confusing the method with the message and trying to keep the 1950's Baptist Culture alive in the modern world.

/RANT CONCLUDED...Thanks...

[PAmedic]

'BAMA you make a very good point.

[kentuckywildcats]

i still think people are going to hate Liberty once this is built. Most of the fanatical haters are just going to say something like "this is just LU's way of trying to take over Lynchburg!" or something asinine like that. There just seems to be too much hatred for LU for this to change anything, I mean the hatred seems like it's genetical at times...

[El Scorcho]

i still think people are going to hate Liberty once this is built.

Once this is built? Those who hate us already hate us and, for most of them, that's never going to change.

[belcherboy]

I love what they are trying to do, but this is a big risk IMO. If this think tanks and they eventually give up on it, it will be a giant eye sore of wasted money (similar to PTL's waterpark thing back in the 80's....on a lesser scale of course). If it hits, it could be a major calling card for acquiring students and drawing people to visit the campus.

[thepostman]

i still think people are going to hate Liberty once this is built. Most of the fanatical haters are just going to say something like "this is just LU's way of trying to take over Lynchburg!" or something asinine like that. There just seems to be too much hatred for LU for this to change anything, I mean the hatred seems like it's genetical at times...

**edited due to my own stupidity**

[SuperJon]

I love what they are trying to do, but this is a big risk IMO. If this think tanks and they eventually give up on it, it will be a giant eye sore of wasted money (similar to PTL's waterpark thing back in the 80's....on a lesser scale of course). If it hits, it could be a major calling card for acquiring students and drawing people to visit the campus.

The mountain biking stuff will be successful. I just have my doubts on the skiing thing.

[LUconn]

I don't think that the ski park would make it, if it were built by a privately owned company trying to make money. But it's being built as an attraction for a school, for the students to use. If it's free for students, I will guarantee you that it is used and used a lot. It doesn't have to be profitable.


and by free I mean they don't have to pay admission for every use. It will probably not be free as in your built in activity fee will reflect that.

[ALUmnus]

People, lay of shuk for a minute, he didn't say anything wrong. He just said what we always say, people will hate LU no matter what we do, and put a negative spin on all our actions. I know you guys love to jump all over him for a lot of things he says, but on a post like that?

[FlameDad]

i still think people are going to hate Liberty once this is built. Most of the fanatical haters are just going to say something like "this is just LU's way of trying to take over Lynchburg!" or something asinine like that. There just seems to be too much hatred for LU for this to change anything, I mean the hatred seems like it's genetical at times...

again, proving how dumb you truly are....people are going to hate Liberty regardless of what we do simply because of who the founder was...

It seems to me that you can't wait to call this guy names....

Your insecurity is showing......

[LUconn]

we do like to call him names. He's like the board punching bag.

[FlameDad]

New meaning to the phrase "know your role"

[thepostman]

i still think people are going to hate Liberty once this is built. Most of the fanatical haters are just going to say something like "this is just LU's way of trying to take over Lynchburg!" or something asinine like that. There just seems to be too much hatred for LU for this to change anything, I mean the hatred seems like it's genetical at times...

again, proving how dumb you truly are....people are going to hate Liberty regardless of what we do simply because of who the founder was...

It seems to me that you can't wait to call this guy names....

Your insecurity is showing......

no...my insecurity isn't showing...this guy comes on here everyday and takes some stab at LU thinking he has a clue what he is talking about proving how dumb he is. I too stuck up for him for the longest time but he has just taken it to another level lately and no longer am I going to stand by why this idiot trashes on my school.

If that is insecurity, then I guess I'm guilty....

[TallyW]

While it is certainly a measured risk I think the idea that it's the only one in the U.S.A. (as I understand), it will have a buzz early on simply for that. People are going to want to come to LU just to give it a shot. Also on previous articles I read it stated that Olympians use the one in Europe to train... if that's the case I would see no reason that LU wouldn't be inviting professionals into town for the same reason here in the states. It's a measured risk but I think there will be enough buzz and publicity early on to make it worth while.... as with everything though we'll all just have to see how good the product is.

[Hold My Own]

EDIT: LU would not be where they are today if they made decisions based on what would cause the least possible backlash


*Edited due to poor wording

[ALAFlamesFan]

The day LU starts to cater to those that already hate them is the day I turn my back on the school.

Turning this into an us vs. them is not at all Christian. We are not supposed to be a fortress on a hill keeping all outsiders out. At the same time I don't think we should compromise our christian principles in order to cater every whim of society. I DO however think it is good once in a while to review those principles that have more to do with style and taste rather than Biblical principals to see if some of those might be holding back the more important Gospel Message.

Sometimes I think we find ourselves at LU in the role of the "weaker brother". The one who won't eat the meat sacrificed to idols because we think that meat might be somehow unclean. In our effort to keep our students from even the hint of impropriety we drive away those who feel free to partake of the meat. In addition, we cause some of our "weaker brother" students to cultivate a sometimes not so subtle arrogance or "holier than thou" attitude which outsiders quickly pick up on.

Now before I get crucifed here let me say that while I see no problem with an occasional cold beer or night of dancing for those of the proper age. Still I did not partake of either while at LU out of respect for the institution and so as not to cause my brother to stumble. And I didn't mind the curfew or the white glove inspections because I liked to go to bed early and kept my room fairly neat. At the same time many of my high school friends who could have benefited greatly from the messages and mentorship I received through chapel and professors both in and out of the classroom did not get past the huge sign at the front of campus because of some of the stupid stuff.

OT...Does anyone remember when Jerry erected the huge sign along the football field that said "This University is Politically Incorrect"? It read like a "No Trespassing" sign to many in the community.

I don't think there are really that many people that HATE LU and would never change that opinion. I think most would really soften their stance if they felt like they could go be around campus without getting the constant message that they where somehow inferior for not buying into the entire LU culture lock, stock, and barrel. No one is asking that LU "sell out" and become secular institution. Just be one that would allow men like those 12 disciples to get close enough to hear the message "come follow me".

That is what I think Jerry Jr and Jonathan for that matter understand better than the previous generation. It might take them a while to move out some of the old guard (style wise) but LU will be better for it. Building this park will bring in a different type of kid (style wise) but I believe that they will also help LU grow into a more effective witness to this generation. The message is timeless but the method should always be reviewed and revised when necessary.

[Cider Jim]

The day LU starts to cater to those that already hate them is the day I turn my back on the school.

HMO, doesn't the Good Book talk a lot about "loving your neighbor" and even "loving your enemy" and doing "good" to those that "hate you" and "despitefully use you" (Matt. 5.44)?

[Hold My Own]

Yeah...after I posted that I figured I'd get some heat for the wording...I simply mean this...we cant choose to not make decisions simply b/c we're afraid those in the 03 district may disagree with it....that's all I'm saying...we are where we were today b/c our leader faced opposition head on and didnt back down from it...LU would still be Liberty Baptist College if we were afraid to make decisions due to backlash...thats all I meant and I'm pretty sure everyone can agree with that...


after re-reading my post...it was awful wording

[El Scorcho]

I don't think there are really that many people that HATE LU and would never change that opinion. I think most would really soften their stance if they felt like they could go be around campus without getting the constant message that they where somehow inferior for not buying into the entire LU culture lock, stock, and barrel. No one is asking that LU "sell out" and become secular institution. Just be one that would allow men like those 12 disciples to get close enough to hear the message "come follow me".

I think there are two different groups of people being addressed in this thread, and for the group of people you're speaking about, I think you're right on. However, there are some Lynchburgers who would honestly love nothing more than to see LU burn to the ground. They despise us. It wouldn't matter if had a total cultural shift. As long as our core message remains the same, they're going to feel that way. They've made this abundantly clear. They view us as equivalent to Islamic terrorists and don't really make any bones about that.

[Fumblerooskies]

So...let's see if certain parties on here rip SCORCHO for essentially the same thing that Wildcats said? Our Kentucky fan made a great point...speaking from the view of a Lynchburg resident...and gets hammered for it.