Liberty University Bans Democrats

Six months ago, a Young Democrats Club was formed on the campus of right-wing fundamentalist Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. A few days ago, the school officially banned the Democrats. A university spokesman said, “we are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by (the university)."

Democratic Club president Brian Diaz said the club was notified by e-mail that they had been banned. The e-mail said the club could not use the university's name, could not hold meetings on campus and could not advertise their events. Any violations of those restrictions could result in one or more reprimands (and 30 reprimands would mean expulsion from the university).

Mark Hines, vice-president of student affairs, said, “We are in no way attempting to stifle free speech.” But the Republican Club has not been banned. How can allowing only one side of the political landscape not be construed as stifling free speech?

But it gets even worse. The Democratic Club's sponsor, Maria Childress, and the club's secretary, Jan Dervish, met with Hines and asked for an explanation. They were told, "You can’t be a Democrat and be a Christian and be a university representative."

Personally, as an ex-student at one of these fundamentalist colleges, none of this is surprising. I find it hard to believe the club actually lasted six months. Liberty University, and several other right-wing fundie schools, are not at all interested in free speech, fairness or academic freedom. In fact, I don't believe they are even deserving of using the terms university or college, since these terms generally mean the school provides a well-rounded and academically sound education.

These right-wing schools are not interested in educating their students, but only in propagandizing them. They know that if both sides of an argument are fairly presented, people with a functioning brain would be unlikely to adhere to the school's right-wing positions.

It's just sad when people cling to beliefs they know cannot survive the rigors of true academia.