Falwell died two years ago this month. During his lifetime, he was known for his right–wing political beliefs, which were embodied in the agenda of his political organization, the Moral Majority. Liberty University seems to be upholding Falwell's agenda.
Ray Reed writes, in the Lynchburg News & Advance, that Liberty officials say they revoked recognition of the campus' College Democrats for religious, not political, reasons. But part of the problem here is that, thanks in part to Rev. Falwell's activities and statements, the line between religion and politics is blurred. Before the creation of the Moral Majority, neither major party was seen as the home party of conservative Christians.
Actually, until the 1980s, conservative Christians were not united in their political activities. Many conservative Christians were not politically active at all. But Falwell brought them into the political arena and encouraged them to embrace the Republican Party. And there they have been for three decades. It is safe to say they were not motivated by economic policy or, for that matter, global politics — unless there was a direct conflict with evangelical Christians. They used the Republican Party as their platform to bring attention to crusades against abortion and homosexuality and to promote what they considered a traditional family.
At Liberty University, the primary sticking points with the College Democrats — there may be others — seem to be the group's pro–choice stance on abortion and support for gay rights and how those positions conflict with the school's policies. The policies may be presented as representing the views of today's school administration, but they are Falwell's legacy.
Not that there was ever much of a line drawn between religion and politics in this country. In spite of the lofty language one often hears about the "separation of church and state," it always has been virtually impossible to divorce the two in a nation where schoolchildren recite a pledge of allegiance that contains the words "one nation under God" on a daily basis.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, has asked Liberty to reconsider. A reader poll at the News & Advance website shows that more than 90% of respondents disagree with Liberty's decision.
With public sentiment running that high against Liberty, it is no surprise that bloggers are almost unanimous in expressing their outrage. Here is a small sample:
- FaithfulDemocrats.com, which bills itself as an "online Christian community," calls the move "brazenly undemocratic."
- Joe.My.God, an apparently gay–oriented blog, gives a (pardon the expression) straight–forward account of the decision in its post under what appears to be a slanted headline that reads "Liberty" University Bans Democrats Because They May Support Dirty Homos.
- Sandwalk writes that the move is "just the beginning," that it is the first step at Liberty University.
"Mark my words," writes biochemistry Professor Larry Moran. "In a few weeks they're going to shut down the 'Liberty University Gays and Lesbians Club' and the 'Liberty University Secular Humanist Club.' And it's only a matter of time before the 'Liberty University Teletubbies Fan Club' is kicked off campus."
And, as a lifelong supporter of free speech, as well as a Democrat (by the way, Professor Moran, "democrat" with a lowercase "d" refers to someone who supports democracy in general, regardless of party affiliation, while "Democrat" with an uppercase "D" refers to a member of the Democratic Party. I consider myself both, but I am a centrist, which has led many of my Democratic acquaintances to wonder which side I was on), I sympathize.
But what can be done about it?
Liberty University is a private college. I am not aware of any public funding that is used to support the school. A couple of years ago, before Falwell died, Liberty had a debt of between $20 million and $25 million. But Falwell had a $34 million insurance policy, and the proceeds from that were used to pay off Liberty's debts. Since then, it has been a self–sustaining institution.
Thus, as far as I know, Liberty is privately funded. Perhaps it does receive some public funds. If it does, that would be grounds for challenging its actions.
But unless public money is involved in the operation of the school, there isn't anything that can be done if Liberty believes, as Mark Hine, the school's vice president of student affairs, stated in his e–mail to the College Democrats, that "[t]he Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian doctrine."
In America, you are free to disagree with that position. You may, as many bloggers are doing today, argue against it. But there is little else you can do about it.
Except discourage your children from going to school there.
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