The Price of Liberty: University Bans Democratic Student Organization on Morality Grounds

The late Rev. Jerry Falwell always insisted that he spoke for “the moral majority.” However, it appears that his university, Liberty University, is equally interested in silencing what they consider to be the “immoral minority.” The school this week shutdown the the Liberty University College Democrats as inimical to their moral mission. The Republican Student organization was retained.

Club president Brian Diaz was told that his club would have to shutdown in the name of good morals. If he continued his corrupting influence, he was told that he could be expelled.

In a May 15th email, Vice president of student affairs Mark Hine said the Democratic party violates the school’s principles by supporting abortion, socialism and the “‘LGBT’ agenda.” It appears, however, that support for torture and war crimes fits neatly in the school’s mission. This seems to support polls that show that torture is more likely to be supported by the most religious citizens.

What is particularly amazing is that the law school dean at the school, Mathew Staver, supported the crackdown on free speech and association. Ultimately, as a private institution, Liberty University is allowed to be as intolerant and hateful as it wants. Indeed, Mr. Diaz chose this controversial school and can now appreciate why it is viewed with such contempt by academics.

Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. (yes, the school has added nepotism to its other sins) says that the move followed “lots of complaints from parents and donors” about the club’s existence.

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