Some Liberty University Grads Are Returning Their Diplomas To Protest Trump

[Yeshua1]

A group of alumni from one of the country's most influential evangelical Christian universities is condemning their school's president for his continued alignment with President Trump.

A small but growing number of Liberty University graduates are preparing to return diplomas to their school. The graduates are protesting university President Jerry Falwell Jr.'s ongoing support for Trump. They began organizing after Trump's divisive remarks about the deadly white supremacist protests in Charlottesville, Va.

Chris Gaumer, a former Student Government Association president and 2006 graduate, said it was a simple decision.

"I'm sending my diploma back because the president of the United States is defending Nazis and white supremacists," Gaumer said. "And in defending the president's comments, Jerry Falwell Jr. is making himself and, it seems to me, the university he represents, complicit."

In a group letter being prepared to be sent to university officials, several alumni declare their intention to return their diplomas and call for Falwell to repudiate Trump's remarks:

"While this state of affairs has been in place for many months, the Chancellor's recent comments on the attack upon our neighbors in Charlottesville have brought our outrage and our sorrow to a boiling point. During the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, white supremacists, nationalists, and neo-Nazis perpetrated brutal violence against anti-racist protesters, murdering one woman and injuring many. Instead of condemning racist and white nationalist ideologies, Mr. Trump provided equivocal and contradictory comments. The Chancellor then characterized Mr. Trump's remarks, which included the claim that some of the persons marching as white nationalists and white supremacists at the rally were 'very fine people,' as 'bold' and 'truthful.' This is incompatible with Liberty University's stated values, and incompatible with a Christian witness."

Georgia Hamann, a 2006 alumna and an attorney in Phoenix, Ariz., helped pen the letter.

"We're asking that Liberty University return to its stated values and accept that the pursuit of power is leading it into some dark places, and really repudiate that," she said. "The word in Baptist and evangelical circles is 'repent.'... You know, truly a turning away from wrong conduct."

Alumni who can't find their diplomas are being asked to sign the group letter or write individual letters to Falwell expressing their concerns.

Some Liberty graduates see Falwell's association with Trump as both a personal liability and a moral embarrassment. Rebekah Tilley graduated from Liberty in 2002 and now works in higher education in Iowa.

"I was to the point where I didn't even want to include my alma mater on my resume when I was applying for jobs, just because I think that can be so loaded," Tilley said. "There's such a strong affiliation now between Liberty University and President Trump that you know that reflects badly on all alumni."

For Doug Johnson Hatlem, a 1999 graduate who now works as a Mennonite pastor in Ontario, Canada, Charlottesville feels like a tipping point for many alumni who have been concerned about the university's association with Trump.

"It really is a watershed moment to have people openly chanting Nazi chants ... holding white supremacist signs, and carrying weapons along with all of that, and killing somebody, injuring many in the process," he said. "For there not to be an unconditional condemnation of that kind of action and behavior is just completely anathema."

Johnson Hatlem said returning diplomas is an important symbolic statement.

"I'll have to have my mom dig it out of storage," he said. "But I do plan to send back my diploma to Liberty."

Some Liberty University Grads Are Returning Their Diplomas To Protest Trump

Were that so bent when President Obama continued gay agenda, trans gender, abortion, and basically just let radical islam keep marching on?

 

[Crabtownboy]

Were that so bent when President Obama continued gay agenda, trans gender, abortion, and basically just let radical islam keep marching on?

Seems they believe Trump's racism, hate filled speech, and leaning to white supremacy are worse.

 

[Yeshua1]

Seems they believe Trump's racism, hate filled speech, and leaning to white supremacy are worse.

WHEN did Trump say that the Nazi and White supremist were good? He ALWAYS called them bad, its just that the radical Lefiers there in the riot were kust as guilty, but the media/press/dems overlooked them!

 

[Crabtownboy]

WHEN did Trump say that the Nazi and White supremist were good? He ALWAYS called them bad, its just that the radical Lefiers there in the riot were kust as guilty, but the media/press/dems overlooked them!

When he said, "There are good people" meaning Nazis. There are no good Nazis. Nazis are white supremacist in philosophy. You do realize that Trump believes in eugenics, don't you?

He grew up with a white supremacist father who was arrested at a KKK riot in New York in 1927.

Trump and his father were sued for systematically discriminating against black people in housing rentals. Trump and his father settled on government terms.

 

[JonC]

Based on all the news about the current Institutions of Higher Learning lately, safe spaces etc., it pears that the highlighted above is already the norm!

Yes, sometimes it definitely appears that way. Unfortunately it is just as bad with some Christian institutions.

If I want to know what @MennoSota believes, I should ask @MennoSota and not take the word of another. If I want to know what @Salty believes, or @Yeshua1, or @Crabtownboy , I should allow them to express their beliefs and not rely on another. It isn't a hard concept, but when it comes to critical thinking it seems we have a couple of generations that are to a large part left out in the cold.

These universities are not para-church organizations. They are (or should be) institutes for higher learning (not for indoctrination).

 

[MennoSota]

Yes, sometimes it definitely appears that way. Unfortunately it is just as bad with some Christian institutions.

If I want to know what @MennoSota believes, I should ask @MennoSota and not take the word of another. If I want to know what @Salty believes, or @Yeshua1, or @Crabtownboy , I should allow them to express their beliefs and not rely on another. It isn't a hard concept, but when it comes to critical thinking it seems we have a couple of generations that are to a large part left out in the cold.

These universities are not para-church organizations. They are (or should be) institutes for higher learning (not for indoctrination).

They are Christian Universities. That makes them a parachurch organization. They teach Bible classes. They advocate for a biblical worldview. These are all characteristics of a parachurch organization.

There is nothing wrong with discussion of divergent ideas. There is everything wrong with endorsing deviant persons who do not represent the Christian faith.

@Jon, would you applaud Franklin Graham asking an elder of the Watchtower Society to speak at a crusade and then have Graham endorse that elder to lead the Southern Baptist Conference? That is essentially what Falwell did by inviting Trump and then endorsing Trump for President. No honest Christian can applaud Falwell's decision.

 

[JonC]

They are Christian Universities. That makes them a parachurch organization. They teach Bible classes. They advocate for a biblical worldview. These are all characteristics of a parachurch organization.

Liberty University is a Christian university, not a para-church organization. One does not have to be a Christian to attend, nor to earn a degree. The university is open to all faiths, including atheists. Yes, the university is founded on Christian values and a Christian worldview. But no, they do not indoctrinate (teach a set of beliefs uncritically) students into Christianity.

@Jon, would you applaud Franklin Graham asking an elder of the Watchtower Society to speak at a crusade and then have Graham endorse that elder to lead the Southern Baptist Conference? That is essentially what Falwell did by inviting Trump and then endorsing Trump for President. No honest Christian can applaud Falwell's decision.

Again, you are confusing a university with a church or para-church organization (your confusion is evident by the example you provide).

 

[MennoSota]

Liberty University is a Christian university, not a para-church organization. One does not have to be a Christian to attend, nor to earn a degree. Yes, the university is founded on Christian values and a Christian worldview. But no, they do not indoctrinate (teach a set of beliefs uncritically) students into Christianity.

Again, you are confusing a university with a church or para-church organization (your confusion is evident by the example you provide).

We disagree on what makes up a parachurch.

 

[JonC]

We disagree on what makes up a parachurch.

Yes, we do.

I believe a para-church organization functions in support of the church as its primary focus by deign. Liberty University does strive to maintain a Christian atmosphere, teach Christian values, and to share the gospel. But its main function is education. It does not meet the definition of para-church (which has as its primary function evangelism).

 

[MennoSota]

Liberty University is a Christian university, not a para-church organization. One does not have to be a Christian to attend, nor to earn a degree. The university is open to all faiths, including atheists. Yes, the university is founded on Christian values and a Christian worldview. But no, they do not indoctrinate (teach a set of beliefs uncritically) students into Christianity.

Again, you are confusing a university with a church or para-church organization (your confusion is evident by the example you provide).

If Liberty University does not teach Christian worldview and ethics, then it is not a Christian University. It is, at best a private University that had a Christian heritage, much like Harvard and Yale, which are both sad displays of liberal thinking so much that they have cut the head off from their faith heritage. Jonathan Edwards would be revolted by their backsliding.

Just because a Christian University refuses to endorse morally degridant individuals, does not make them second rate schools of education. It makes them morally aligned with God and His word. Secondly, there are brilliant thinkers who are devout Christians in most areas of study. Invite them. My brother-in-law is well known in the scientific community, receiving international awards in his field, yet is one of the most humble, Godly men I know. He is hardly second rate.
Trump is neither brilliant nor intellectually well thought. He is a bully by nature. No Christian institution can endorse such a person and remain a place of integrity. It is this reason why graduates of Liberty University are turning in their diplomas.

 

[MennoSota]

Yes, we do.

I believe a para-church organization functions in support of the church as its primary focus by deign. Liberty University does strive to maintain a Christian atmosphere, teach Christian values, and to share the gospel. But its main function is education. It does not meet the definition of para-church (which has as its primary function evangelism).

A parachurch is not bound by having its primary function be evangelism. Evangelism is a natural function of Christianity. Feeding the body, soul and spirit are all functions of a parachurch organization, which comes alongside of the church. Christian Universities are often formed by denominations to come alongside the church to assist the members of the churches in preparation for future ministry. How can Christian Universities not be parachurch organizations and still be labeled Christian Universities? The simple answer is, they cannot.

 

[JonC]

If Liberty University does not teach Christian worldview and ethics, then it is not a Christian University. It is, at best a private University that had a Christian heritage, much like Harvard and Yale, which are both sad displays of liberal thinking so much that they have cut the head off from their faith heritage. Jonathan Edwards would be revolted by their backsliding.

Just because a Christian University refuses to endorse morally degridant individuals, does not make them second rate schools of education. It makes them morally aligned with God and His word. Secondly, there are brilliant thinkers who are devout Christians in most areas of study. Invite them. My brother-in-law is well known in the scientific community, receiving international awards in his field, yet is one of the most humble, Godly men I know. He is hardly second rate.
Trump is neither brilliant nor intellectually well thought. He is a bully by nature. No Christian institution can endorse such a person and remain a place of integrity. It is this reason why graduates of Liberty University are turning in their diplomas.

Now you are confusing the University with the Seminary.

Universities have as their goal education. Christian universities have as their goal education within a Christian environment. The goal is education. If Joe the Mormon is the leading expert on the law, then the law school should try to have Joe the Mormon talk to its students. If Mike the atheist is the expert on a nursing procedure, then Mike the atheist would be a good speaker for the nursing school.

 

[JonC]

A parachurch is not bound by having its primary function be evangelism.

Actually, it is.

 

[MennoSota]

Now you are confusing the University with the Seminary.

Universities have as their goal education. Christian universities have as their goal education within a Christian environment. The goal is education. If Joe the Mormon is the leading expert on the law, then the law school should try to have Joe the Mormon talk to its students. If Mike the atheist is the expert on a nursing procedure, then Mike the atheist would be a good speaker for the nursing school.

Indeed, but this thread is about endorsing Donald Trump who has no qualifications to speak at any University, let alone a Christian University.

 

[MennoSota]

Actually, it is.

I disagree

 

[JonC]

Indeed, but this thread is about endorsing Donald Trump who has no qualifications to speak at any University, let alone a Christian University.

By virtue of his position as President of the United States he would be qualified. By virtue of his position as a business man he would be qualified. Just as Ted Kennedy was qualified to speak to the University. And Mitt Romney. And Glenn Beck. And Bernie Sanders. I suspect your own political viewpoint is influencing your conclusions here. Personally, I don't like any of those mentioned in this thread. But all were qualified speakers.

 

[JonC]

I disagree

But it doesn't change the definition, now does it? Parachurch is a term describing faith based organizations designed to carry out the goal of actual churches ("para" for "along side"). A seminary may be considered to be parachurch. A university teaching nursing, law, political science, criminal justice, early childhood education, teaching, aeronautics, information technology, etc....not so much.

The goal of the church was never to teach men and women molecular biology, psychology, digital media, computer science, commercial music with a focus in jazz, environmental biology or even zoology. You have a much too broad idea of parachurch.

 

[MennoSota]

By virtue of his position as President of the United States he would be qualified. By virtue of his position as a business man he would be qualified. Just as Ted Kennedy was qualified to speak to the University. And Mitt Romney. And Glenn Beck. And Bernie Sanders. I suspect your own political viewpoint is influencing your conclusions here. Personally, I don't like any of those mentioned in this thread. But all were qualified speakers.

Not one of the people you mentioned are qualified speakers at a Christian University nor, in my opinion, at a public university.

 

[MennoSota]

But it doesn't change the definition, now does it? Parachurch is a term describing faith based organizations designed to carry out the goal of actual churches ("para" for "along side"). A seminary may be considered to be parachurch. A university teaching nursing, law, political science, criminal justice, early childhood education, teaching, aeronautics, information technology, etc....not so much.

The goal of the church was never to teach men and women molecular biology, psychology, digital media, computer science, commercial music with a focus in jazz, environmental biology or even zoology. You have a much too broad idea of parachurch.

Yes, para means along side of. This is why churches commissioned their denominations to create institutes of higher learning...so that those institutions could come alongside their sons and daughters and help the parents train their children.
They are parachurch organizations.

 

[JonC]

Yes, para means along side of. This is why churches commissioned their denominations to create institutes of higher learning...so that those institutions could come alongside their sons and daughters and help the parents train their children.
They are parachurch organizations.

Seminaries. You mean, again, seminaries. Churches commission (or should commission) institutes of higher learning to train men and women for the ministry....not to be molecular biologists, lawyers, and engineers.

If you think that teaching students to be a zoologist (and a second rate one at that, since they can only concentrate on Christian contributions to the field) is the purpose of the church (and that school parachurch) then I'd say you have a more general idea of the church than is presented in Scripture.