"...And spread the ruins with salt!"

That was the fate of Carthage, when it fell to Rome.

Said fate I would welcome to befall "Liberty University," Jerry Falwell's Xian-Jihadist madrassa/diploma mill, the entire existence of which depends on the inability of the "home-schooled" spawn and get of the 'faithful' to qualify for, or long survive in, secular universities.

Everyday brings its assaults, but this one nearly laid me low. The only cure for this kind of lunacy is ridicule. Never again should the name be heard, or a degree from "Liberty University" be accepted, without hoots of derision and vast skepticism.

The story's been all over today. I thought about wtiting about it myself. But then I got occupied with "the Big Lie." And ReligionClause has a nice touch with these things.

Friday, May 22, 2009
Liberty University Revokes Recognition of College Democrats

The Washington Post today reports that Liberty University, the conservative Christian school located in Lynchburg, Virginia, has withdrawn recognition of Liberty University College Democrats as a student organization. The move comes as the University adopts a new policy governing student organizations. An e-mail sent to the group from the University's vice-president for student affairs says: "We are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by Liberty University." (Full text of new policy and of e-mail revoking College Democrats' recognition). Maria Childress, the club's adviser, says she is trying to appeal the decision to the school's chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr. The Lynchburg (VA) News-Advance reports on a statement Falwell made today regarding the suspension:

"That club still has the right to exist," Falwell said, although it cannot use the university’s name in its activities. "They still can meet on campus," in certain rooms, he said. "There is absolutely no animosity at all toward any of these kids. They are good, Christian kids who sit with me at ball games. I just hope they find a pro-life family organization to affiliate with so they can be endorsed by Liberty again."

Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine issued a statement on Democratic national Committee letterhead urging the University to reverse its decision.

There's a broom-closet, over by where the black maintenance men have their showers that's empty, sometimes. Falwell was quoted elsewhere claiming the "University" was not at all to be accused of quelling freedom of speech or expression. No, no, not at all. Just policing the old orthodoxy. Purity is the by-word here.

I cannot think of a better example, or illustration, of the need for "strict separation." I would automatically be skeptical of the academic credentials of anyone for anything if "Liberty University" were the granting school. I wouldn't vote to admit a prospective student whose only academic bona fides was from Liberty University to any grad school where I taught.