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Featured Listener Comments Section: Contents List |
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Listener: Pratt on Texas
Category: General
Date: 29 Nov 2007
Time: 10:21:32 -0700
Remote Name: 70.238.200.224
The following is sent on behalf of Dr. Ken Jones:
Recently on a local AM talk radio show in Lubbock, an LCU student aired a
grievance over an administrative decision to remove posters that had been
approved by the Dean of Students Office. The message of the posters was to
encourage Prayer for Victory of U.S. forces fighting in the Middle East. After a
number of the posters were defaced, they were taken down, which is a routine
practice for the campus. Additionally, non-approved posters with
counter-messages of "Love your enemy" and "Pray for those who persecute you"
were placed around campus, and those were removed as they had not been approved.
The student who created the Prayer for Victory posters returned to the Office of
Student Affairs with more posters to be approved. It was determined that this
complex issue should not be debated on posters and that consideration should be
given to foster a respectful dialogue appropriate for a Christian university
environment. In fact, informal discussions about the posters were already taking
place in various class meetings across campus.
More dialogue took place on the Tuesday prior to the Thanksgiving break. The
student who created the posters and another fellow student met with
representatives of the Student Affairs Office and a faculty member. At the
conclusion of that meeting in which a healthy conversation took place, the
student was asked to consider rewording the poster so all sides could stand in
the same place and pray the same prayer. At this time the university had closed
for the Thanksgiving break, so the student requesting approval for the poster
was asked to consider the wording over the break and was encouraged to come back
to the Student Affairs Office on the Monday morning following the break with his
posters. The Student Affairs Office made the decision following the meeting
that the student’s posters, whether they had been reworded or not, would be
approved. The student has not returned to the Student Affairs Office.
[Emphasis added: Note that they supposedly made
a decision but it appears they expected the student to learn of it by mental
telepathy. There is no indication that he was informed of this new decision
which was a change from the prior meeting.]
As a Christian university, we attempt to use our free speech rights in
responsible ways with charity toward all. The posters and the reaction to them
raised the perennial issue of Christian involvement in war and how to discuss
the issues in a full, free, and charitable way. As a university, we seek to find
ways to bring diverse viewpoints into creative discussion, knowing that the
respectful engagement with others' views sometimes comes at the price of
misunderstanding and disagreement.
Since its founding in 1957, LCU has promoted learning, character, and
citizenship as core values. Our commitment to good citizenship was most recently
demonstrated in early November when LCU sponsored former Secretary of State
General Colin Powell for our 50th anniversary celebration. Our commitment to
character is seen in the many conscientious and dedicated alumni who serve their
communities in their jobs, families, and churches. Finally, our commitment to
learning is shown in our desire to discuss openly the tough issues of our day,
including a Christian's participation in war, but in ways that demonstrate
respect and Christian charity for all participants.
Lubbock Christian University will continue to uphold these cherished values of
our founding.
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