Students at this top evangelical university are demanding Pence step down as commencement speaker

[pdsimdars]

Students at this top evangelical university are demanding Pence step down as commencement speaker --
Christians revolt: Students at this top evangelical university are demanding Pence step down as commencement speaker — and suggesting Buttigieg deliver the address instead


Taylor University is one of America’s oldest, private, evangelical colleges. In 2017 the Indiana-based university was ranked first among 94 midwestern schools. Its motto, “Lux et Fides,” means, “Light and…

Taylor University is one of America’s oldest, private, evangelical colleges. In 2017 the Indiana-based university was ranked first among 94 midwestern schools. Its motto, “Lux et Fides,” means, “Light and Faith.”

But it is Vice President Mike Pence‘s undying faith in President Donald Trump that has led the 2019 graduating class to demand the school rescind its invitation to Pence to deliver the commencement address.

“Inviting Vice President Mike Pence to Taylor University makes our alumni, faculty, staff and current students complicit in the Trump Administration’s policies, which we believe are not consistent with an ethic of love,” the students and thier supporters say via a Change.org petition, as Newsweek reports.

In just a few hours the petition has earned hundreds of signatures.

Many might think, given Pence was the governor of Indiana – where Taylor University is located – that the invitation might not cause concern.

They would be wrong.

Here’s a sampling from some of those who signed the petition, explaining why:

“I’m a husband of a Taylor alum and suggest that if Taylor is looking for a Hossier Christian politician for the commencement they might consider inviting Pete Buttigieg.”

“Shame on you. He’s not a Christian, and any university that invites him to speak has no institutional commitment to fact or Truth.”

“If Mike Pence thinks that RFRA was a good ‘Christian’ direction for the state and nation, then he is missing the point of Christianity. Now he is trying to do it nationally. He is the wrong person to deliver your commencement speech. Perhaps Pete Buttigieg would have a more appropriate message for your graduates.”

“There are many marginalized students and staff who live, work, and study in a gray area. The University offers kind words of support to these populations, but then engages in actions that place students on the fringe of Taylor’s community. Inviting Pence is one of those actions. Pence’s Values (political or personal) are not congruent with that of Taylor or Christianity. Pence’s values align with the administration (Looking at you president haines.) So out of touch with the needs of your students – ALL your students. POC, LGBTQ+ (especially Transgender students), Women, Immigrants – they are apart of the Taylor community too! Pence’s presence and Taylor’s support of Pence enforces the idea that these communities are the outcast.”

“The fact that Taylor would invite Pence as a speaker honestly kills me a little bit. I can’t imagine what it must feel like for lgbt students to have to see this man’s harmful bullshit be honored on the Taylor stage. Really disgusting stuff, Taylor. Really ashamed to be an alum right now.”

“Class of ’95. This link is embarrassing in every possible way. Forget any future support from me if this is the direction Taylor wants to go.”

“As an alumna of Taylor University, I’ve never been so disappointed in my college’s behavior. Taylor claims to be dedicated to love and truth. Mike Pence is a man who has worked to sew seeds of division and hatred in this country and has continued to support an administration that openly and blatantly lies about matters large and small, every single day.”

“Mike Pence has supported and advocated for harmful, deceptive policies that are in direct contradiction to the Bible’s teachings and Taylor’s heritage.”

https://www.alternet.org/2019/04/christians-revolt-students-at-this-top-evangelical-university-are-demanding-pence-step-down-as-commencement-speaker-and-suggesting-buttigieg-deliver-the-address-instead/

[Blue Owl]

1. Speech Title: "How To Succeed as a Hypocritical Enabler"

n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Good for those students and the others opposing Pence.

You can safely bet that anytime the alumni state that their support of the school will stop if Pence speaks........the school will pay attention!

Fortunately or otherwise, money talks.

The school and its students would be much better served if Pete Buttigieg spoke at the Commencement.

[Kurt V.]

3. the kids are alright

[Hortensis]

4. Good for the hundreds out of 2,589 students, more or less.

Isn't the internet wonderful? Perhaps more will sign as time goes on and others see that "people like them" are saying no.

Even if kids raised to be conforming and obedient to authoritarian rules don't act in large numbers, studies show that religion has been losing its hold on our nation for a long time, mainly because of corruption to serve political agendas, of course.

Btw, we're not necessarily in a better place. Replacing it are "mega-identities," which now control the thoughts of many on both right and left, and they don't include teachings in morality the way some religions do.

[gratuitous]

5. If you don't speak up for yourself

You surely won't be accommodated. Maybe the petition does nothing, but at least students and alumni registered their dissent, and even the casual observer will know that the folks at Taylor aren't monolithic in their views.

[maxsolomon]

6. "In 2017 the Indiana-based university was ranked first among 94 midwestern schools"?

Uh-huh.

Based on what, AlterNet?

[smirkymonkey]

7. Wow. Now if only other evangelicals could take a page from their book.

[mcar]

8. Good friends graduated from Taylor

Their youngest son is a senior there now. Taylor is a huge part of their life.

They are quite religious, Presbyterian like we are, but not Fundy at all. They are pretty liberal and a blast to hang around with.

Good for the students.

[TNNurse]

9. This is hopeful.

[lindysalsagal]

10. OK! I'm impressed!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

11. These students are the kind of Christian I like.

I’ll capitalize the word in their case.

[Blue_true]

15. Yes, the capture the true meaning of that word, help those that can't help themselves,

protect and defend those that are defenseless. Pence can learn something about Christianity from them.

[Chipper Chat]

12. A welcome tint of blue in one of the reddest areas of indiana.

Gives me hope for the Hoosier state.

[BigmanPigman]

13. Why do some religious schools and alumni do this but

other support Kavanaugh?

[ConstanceCee]

14. Pence's Facial Expression

I wonder if this will bring him to change his facial expression. Can't wait.

[AwakeAtLast]

16. Ohhh, if they've lost Taylor students

They are toast!

That college was built where it was because the location is "100 miles away from any form of sin".