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Liberty Univ. Bans Democrats



Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., will no longer recognize its Democratic Party club, saying it opposes the school's fundamentalist Baptist mission and "promotes the LGBT agenda."

The club's leaders were notified on May 15 in an e-mail from Mark Hine, vice president of student affairs, that was obtained by the Lynchburg paper The News & Advance .

Part of Hine's e-mail read, "The Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian doctrine (supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the 'LGBT' agenda, hate crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc.)"

The campus Democratic club, according to leaders, in fact opposes abortion rights and supports "traditional" views of marriage. Brian Diaz, president of the banned organization, said Hine met with the club and claimed to have made his decision based on the stance of the national Democratic Party, not the club's specific views or actions.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, held a conference call this morning to respond to the decision and allow reporters to talk to club leaders. According to TheNews&Advance , the call largely concerned issues stemming from censorship, with McAuliffe voicing his support for free speech.

According to the e-mail from Hine, Liberty University has ordered the club to stop using the university's name, holding meetings on campus, and advertising events.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Daniel S
    Date posted: 5/26/2009 11:18:00 AM
    Hometown: New Hope, PA

    Comment:

    It's a kind of humorous irony that a university named "Liberty" aggressively attacks freedom of opinion on political and social matters. In other words, the only "liberty" they believe in is to believe the dictates of their leadership. Conservatives never seem to get how ridiculously ironic they are.

  • Name: Donna S
    Date posted: 5/26/2009 10:13:00 AM
    Hometown: NY

    Comment:

    Steve from Baltimore, I wish you were right that "religion is mostly dead", but I don't think it is. There are still so many insecure, needy people who need someone to tell them what to do, so they flock to religion. Then there are those who feel the need to be forgiven every week for what they [may] do & who they may be. It's sad really....that the brainwashing continues in this day and age.

  • Name: Ben
    Date posted: 5/25/2009 3:55:00 PM
    Hometown: NY

    Comment:

    The museum of this institution also proudly displays 4000-year-old dinosaur bones. Liberty U is a University in name only.

  • Name: J. Greg Lawson
    Date posted: 5/25/2009 3:39:00 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

    Comment:

    To posting person from Los Angeles commenting about the ACLU: You make no sense at all. When making a valid point, you should use complete sentences and non-random thoughts. You bring up several points with no support. Did you graduate from a "Christian University" or just not do well in school?

  • Name: Matt
    Date posted: 5/25/2009 9:19:00 AM
    Hometown: Mexico City

    Comment:

    Does anybody have the stats on the success rate (if any) of the grads of this Mickey Mouse "university"? How many of them have actually managed to nab high-level corporate management jobs, etc.? I think that would be fascinating information to have. As far as funding is concerned, I say: They've painted themselves into a corner. Let 'em go broke. Zero funding from either state or federal governments. Maybe Jeebus will wire them some cash.

  • Name: Sucker of biggest cocks
    Date posted: 5/25/2009 7:37:00 AM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    There is NO SUCH CLAUSE in our Constitution that refers to "the separation of church and state" That is a reference made by two of our nations founders who in writing letters back and forth made mention of the new Republic and caution against the country becoming as is Italy - with a Pope who calls the shots. That is the reference found only in the Federalist Papers - as for all this other shit about crosses and you cant find and stupider man than obama in covering up the reference to Christ -- For wnat reason other than spite? Truth is ourCongress is just to ignorant to tell the ACLU where to go. Hate crimes? Thats bullshit too! Welcome to the world - it plays its game according to the rules it wants there is no such thing as Seperation of Church and State" in fact it is referred to as separation of state and church which makes better sense - See the ACLU messed up again!!

  • Name: Stephen M. G.
    Date posted: 5/24/2009 1:13:00 PM
    Hometown: Bridgewater, MA

    Comment:

    The idea that a University would ban students with certain political and social beliefs is evidence that religion can be used as an excuse for being anti-American. Sounds like something that would take place in Iran.

  • Name: Matthew G Myers
    Date posted: 5/24/2009 12:38:00 PM
    Hometown: Charleston, SC

    Comment:

    I certainly hope that this school receives absolutely no money from the government. That should include any form of federal student aid, because even though FAFSA helps the students it ultimately is all given to the university to promote its skewed values. They are a religious organization and should not be allowed to interfere in political organizations. Don't Republicans believe in freedom of speech and personal liberty. I find it ironic that they want to censor their students political expression and this attempt to limit their student's liberty at Liberty University.

  • Name: Alex
    Date posted: 5/24/2009 11:01:00 AM
    Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

    Comment:

    How is it possible to have a "University" like that in this day and age? am I missing something???

  • Name: Brad Bailey
    Date posted: 5/24/2009 4:42:00 AM
    Hometown: Fayetteville, Arkansas

    Comment:

    I've just emailed the Virginia chapter of the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State about this. I included a link to this webpage.

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