Saturday, June 13, 2009
Liberty tiff spurs some reflections
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Controversy over Liberty University in Lynchburg -- founded in 1971 by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell -- is nothing new.
So it's no surprise that the school's decision in May to strip a student Democratic Party club of official recognition rated coverage in both the Washington and Huffington Posts and a flaying on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow show.
According to various articles, the club was barred last month from using Liberty's name, advertising events and holding meetings on campus as the Liberty University College Democrats.
The reason: The national Democratic Party's support of abortion rights and civil rights for gays and lesbians were inconsistent with both university policy and the fundamental tenants of Christianity, officials said.
Some of the 30-odd club members first criticized the school's decision in interviews with national media and press, but have since apologized and sought reconciliation.
What did surprise me was finding out that a Brown University student published a book in March about his undercover experience as a student at Liberty, and how that book has garnered positive reviews from those who lean both to the right and the left on so-called "Culture War" issues.
"The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University" documents author Kevin Roose's attempt to infiltrate and understand the world of evangelical college students and his ultimate conclusion that "the God divide" is not as unbridgeable as we think.
Watch a video introduction to Roose and his book at tinyurl.com/d6ncf5.
Read an interesting analysis of it by a Brown graduate and religious scholar at tinyurl.com/lgtnw9.
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Today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Williamson Road Clergy Association will hold its first "Fun Day" celebration and fundraiser at Breckinridge Middle School on Williamson Road. The event will feature games, food and other kid-friendly activities. Admission is free, but proceeds from food sales and donations will go to the association's emergency fund, which helps those in need of money for food, shelter and transportation. The Rev. Dean Nastos of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Roanoke and a member of the association said the group has seen a big increase in requests for such assistance.
