Bob Jones University

Did anyone read this? I thought it was interesting. I'm just surprised it took THAT long...


Bob Jones University in SC apologizes for racist policies, including interracial dating ban
By JEFFREY COLLINS , Associated Press

Last update: November 21, 2008 - 5:12 PM

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Bob Jones University has apologized for racist policies including a one-time ban on interracial dating that wasn't lifted until nine years ago and its unwillingness to admit black students until 1971.

The private fundamentalist Christian school that was founded in 1927 said its rules on race were shaped by culture instead of the Bible, according to a statement posted Thursday on the university's Web site.

The university in northwestern South Carolina, with about 5,000 students, didn't begin admitting black students until nearly 20 years after the U.S. Supreme Court's 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling found public segregated schools were unconstitutional.

"We failed to accurately represent the Lord and to fulfill the commandment to love others as ourselves. For these failures we are profoundly sorry. Though no known antagonism toward minorities or expressions of racism on a personal level have ever been tolerated on our campus, we allowed institutional policies to remain in place that were racially hurtful," the statement said.

The interracial dating ban was lifted in March 2000, not long after the policy became an issue in the Republican presidential primary that year. Then-candidate George W. Bush was criticized when he spoke at the school during one of his first campaign stops in the state after losing in New Hampshire.

Bob Jones University President Stephen Jones decided to issue the apology because the school still receives questions about its views on race.

The leader of the South Carolina NAACP said the civil rights group welcomed the statement.

"It's unfortunate it took them this long — particularly a religious, faith-based institution — to realize that we all are human beings and the rights of all people should be respected and honored," said Lonnie Randolph, president of the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Randolph said that when Jones became president three years ago, he asked the civil rights leader not to hold the decisions made under his father and grandfather against him.

Jones is the great-grandson of the school founder, Bob Jones. He took over for his father, also named Bob Jones, in 2005.

 

Dont mind them, they're only afraid of the federal grants they receive. Of course, it figures that with a black president (and a black attorney general for that matter), they will be threading on thin water when it comes to their policies, past or present. They aren't truly "sorry" for shit.

 

I second that, people only apologized when the penalty becomes greater than the reward if they were to continue their trifling ways

 

This is a private Christian University, I do agree that the past policies came out of culture, and not from the Bible, but I don't think they get any Federal money. I may be wrong.

Also I do think that many Christians today realize that our ancestors were very wrong when it came to IR relationships.

Why don't you just accept that maybe, just maybe there has really been a change of heart??

 

Comming from the "culture"? That is a real cop-out. BJU is prejudiced to the core. The Blacks who go there must had loved pain and education. The leader of the school said on Larry King Live four or eight years ago that they ended IR dating. From BJ Sr. down they used the Bible to justify this racist policy. Talk is cheap and actions speak louder.

 

Do any of you think that interracial couples are welcomed to attend Nation of Islam services, especially WM/BF couples? Just wondering.

 

I'm fairly sure they would not be. The NOI isn't exactly supportive of interracial relationships

 

Oh, not this asshole again. :smt011 I really wonder about the people who are neither BM or WW that lurk here on a regular basis.

 

Nope, considering the "Nation of Islam" (Black Muslims) are a Black supremacist sect that largely exists independent of the rest of the deen (the religion) although lately they have been drawing closer. They generally view all White people as demons.

 

And since you brought it up.

If Bob Jones University were as universally relived as the the Nation and had been denounced as many times as the NOI has, then you could make that comparison in earnest. Despite the negative press it has received for IR dating ban since the 2000 Republican primary, BJU is still a widely respected institution in conservative circles.

When the NOI or any other black separatist group gains serious political influence on the national level, give me a call.

 

The NOI are a bunch of idiots. They used to believe that a scientist named Yakub created white people 6000 years ago:smt009. What the hell kind of garbage is that?

Racism is dumb, no matter who practices it

 

Don't forget about the "mothership" and the other flying saucers/UFOs that were supposedly piloted by 4 1/2 foot tall black militants from outer space.

Those guys are fucking lunatics.

 

Yeah I forgot about that shit :smt042. Who the hell would honestly believe that?

 

:smt107 White people = science experiment?

:shock: WoooooW... :smt009

 

Its criminal point of view that the NOI promotes. I used to listen to Farrakhan there is no bigger crook (the money he gets from those terrorists etc.) It is a great example of a "poverty pimp". How is hating white people or hating Jews going to help black people?
If you can prove that I 'll send you some money via paypal.

 

First of all, let me say that I have no love for religious institutions, period. I would never attend, nor pay for my children, to attend such "right wing schools".

Second, you bring up the fact that the NOI is "universally reviled". However that is only in white circles. In black circles, the NOI is not nearly as "universally reviled". In fact, there are many blacks who feel that despite their "extreme views", the NOI does a lot of good work helping young black men stay away from drugs, prison, etc. These "good deeds" allow many blacks to overlook the NOI racist's views.

In my mind, when it comes down to it, Conservative White Christians are no different than the Nation of Islam. They both believe that you should "stick with your own kind". White Christians Conservatives "secretly" believe that black people are "not equal". The Nation of Islam believes that white people are "the devil", that many years ago, "a mad black scientist created white people, and all hell broke loose after that".

I know that on Sundays, black and white people pretty much attend their own churches. Sure there are exceptions, however for the most part, churches are segregated. Still, even though black and white Christians have different types of worship styles....the bottom line is that both black and white preachers interpet the bible the same way. Homosexuality is a sin, Abortion is wrong, Sex before marraige is a sin, both black and white churches pass the offering plate around more than once, they both want you to give money to "missionaries", you have to accept Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior in order to go to heaven, etc.

Point is, when it comes down to it, black christians are just as conservative as white christians. I live in the Bay Area, so I follow politics state wide. 47% of white people voted for the ban on gay marriage. However 70% of blacks voted for the ban. The ban barely passed with 52% voting banning gay marraige. While blacks dont make up as much of the voting in California as whites, there is still enough black voters to make a difference. I believe that Barak Obama showed that. Obama got 43% of the white vote nationwide (which ironally was the highest that a Democrat got since Lyndon Johnson). However 97% of all black people voted for Barak Obama. Now nationwide, blacks make up 12% of the population. Now with Obama getting 52% of the vote nationwide, you cant tell me that the overwhelming black vote didnt make a diffference in Obama getting elected.

When exit polling was done, the main reason that black voters said that they voted against gay marriage was because "the bible is against it". If that is your rational for banning gay marriage, then I have a few things to say. First, one has a right to practice any type of pagan beliefs (christianity is no different than pagan beliefs or a cult). However to force others to believe the way you do goes against the Constitution.

Second, if you are going to use your religious beliefs to pass legislation, then at least be consistent in your application of law. Dont cherry pick which parts of the bible you are going to make law. For example, lets look at the 10 commandments. Those are like the Bill of Rights. If you believe in God, then you realize that God gave Moses a stone of tables that he wanted the Jews to live by. Among the 10 commandments is "Thou shalt not commit adultery". Adultery isnt just cheating on your spouse. Adultery also means "no sex before marraige, period". If a Christian is going to be fair and consistent in applying their religious beliefs to the law of the land, then Christians need to go to Congress and lobby to make adultery and sex before marriage to be criminal offenses. I'm serious. If adultery is a crime against God, then why cant Congress pass a law making it punishable by law? I tell you why, because when it comes down to it, Christians are no different than most other people. Christians cherry pick what they want to enforce and apply as law. Many Christians, like most other people, have sex before marriage, despite what God has to say about it.

Bottom line, I cant respect anyone's religious beliefs when they cant be consistent. Picking and choosing which part of your religion you want to "enforce" shows what kind of "Christian" you are.

 

LOL at my Catholic church every week it's "this week we're collecting a second donation for blah blah blah... please be as generous as possible."

 

I do remember back in 2004, a black lady at my job said: I think I'll vote for George Bush. He's against abortion.

 

Agreed 100%.

 

Thank you for your support of my posting. I think that if religion was eliminated (which is a long ways from happening because both white and black religious leaders benefit economically from "controlling the masses", plus the fact that "the masses" have a strong need to believe in something "bigger than themselves") then I feel that there would actually be less racism out there. Religion is no different than the "tree house" mentality or the "country club" sect. In order for something to feel special, others have to be excluded or left out. The mentality of religious folks is "either you are with us, or against us". Wars all over the Earth have been fought over religious beliefs for several thousand years.