<p>Creek land, I currently have a cousin there. I know others who have attended. I’m not prejudiced against Christians or Christian schools. My husband attended Baylor and my BA is from OBU. But Liberty is in a special class of private Christian schools – it does not have the reputation for being academically minded. Its suggests climate deniers, evolution deniers, extreme far right wing ideology over open discourse. Think Regents, Bob Jones. </p>
<p>I’m not making this stuff up; this is the school’s reputation. Students considering this school deserve to know this going in.</p>
<p>Liberty is not in the same class as Bob Jones or Pensacola around here. (I don’t know a thing about Regents.)</p>
<p>Again, to anyone actively looking at the school, check to see where recent grads have gone… it’ll have far more value than anything posted on a forum. </p>
<p>I’ve yet to hear a single grad say they wished they had gone elsewhere. I seldom hear that from ANY grads (any school) UNLESS the student has a boatload of debt or went to a school too far beneath their ability. Liberty is no different. For every detractor on here there is likely to be someone with an affinity for the place - with the vast majority in the middle not really caring one way or the other.</p>
<p>Texasmom has LU confused with some of the publicity seeking rants of JF Sr. who long admitted he was a flame thrower at times to get attention. Things are much less radical now. Much more live and let live. They supported Romney in the election–really a MOR Republican.</p>
<p>I’m an evangelical Christian in California, and I need to add my two cents in support of Texasmomof3.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes. Rightly or wrongly, this is its reputation in my circles. Other groups clearly see it differently. Which is okay. I am just saying that a LU degree may help in some places, hurt in others.</p>
<p>Didn’t Ted Cruz just speak there, barrons? He is not someone I would describe as “middle of the road”–in fact he and his father seem to subscribe to Dominionist beliefs.</p>
<p>They have major speakers every week. I think that’s a great aspect to hear national figures all the time. What’s wrong with Cruz? He’s a major politico. Impeccable education, top lawyer. Minority Hispanic background. I dont care what his father does anymore than I did that Joe Kennedy was a crook and many other terrible things.</p>
<p>Ted Cruz is an extremist? Sally, can you please provide an example of how he’s an extremist, and how he’s intolerant? I truly have no clue what you’re referring to.</p>
<p>Working in a public school, one learns to appreciate people for who they are with all of their diversity of beliefs. We have far right, far left, and oodles in between as well as many who “cross” pending the issue. When everyone can respect each other, it works far better than when some feel the need to put down those who disagree with them. Either extreme can make a good scientist, poet, artist, actor, or politician. (I’ve seen examples of all of those in school.) Life is the same way. The students may choose different colleges based on their beliefs/desires/fit/whatever, but they all launch into life and most - esp the college bound - tend to do well fitting in.</p>
<p>You are right–if that “diversity of beliefs” affects people in a negative way. One would think a “Christian” college would be tolerant and accepting of everyone. That would be the Christ-like thing to do, wouldn’t it?</p>
<p>Sally, in general, the students who choose to go to LU are some of the most kind, accepting, and tolerant students we have. They may disagree with abortion or other issues due to their religious beliefs, but they tend to be the first to offer hugs to anyone - literally anyone - or to befriend those who have trouble making friends. I’ve never seen one be a behavior problem - never. The “worst” that can happen is in debates when others disagree with their beliefs, but that’s all talk and the students (from opposite sides) are good friends both before and after. Seeing a diversity of opinion and still getting along with each other is good.</p>
<p>Incidentally, we had a KKK event at Gettysburg recently and a few students were talking about going. Those were the type who might, conceivably, make you mad (even I was really annoyed and it takes a bit to get me riled). None of those students are religious nor would they consider LU. Some may go to college (academically they are intelligent enough). And… after graduation, they are likely to apply for jobs… It’s good to know various companies will consider them, but not the “types” who go to LU… solely based upon where they chose to go.</p>
<p>Creekland, I believe that there are individual students at Liberty who have different points of view and are kind and accepting people. The issue here is whether the Liberty “brand” helps or hurts. It is not highly regarded according to the metrics people care about here (rankings, student stats, etc.); it is not known for its rigorous academics or a unique educational philosophy (i.e., the Great Books curriculum of St. John’s in NM/MD). But it IS known (famous, actually) for the political views of its founder and the constant stream of Republican candidates who consider it an essential stop on their campaign trails, as well as for banning the College Democrats on campus. Can tolerant, open-minded people come out of such an environment? Of course. But that is not what many people would expect graduates to be based on what they know of the university.</p>
<p>^^^ and with folks who continue to perpetuate stereotypes rather than being willing to interview the individuals, I suppose change in those circles is impossible.</p>
<p>Fortunately, most people are not in that category. I posted a list I found earlier of med schools graduates have gotten into - and I’ve yet to see issues from grads here based upon the degree name (esp when comparing to similar level schools). Forbes lists them in their top 650 colleges (many others are NOT listed at all).</p>
<p>I’m just not seeing in reality what you are saying is prevalent. I’m sure there are pockets. There are likely also pockets where a LU degree is an asset for the name.</p>
<p>If the school fits a student, I wouldn’t take them off a list due to a couple of posters on an internet forum. I’d be checking to see what happens in reality overall based upon recent graduates. I often recommend that for ANY school kids are looking at. Where have recent graduates in their major found employment or gotten into grad/prof school? The proof - for any school - lies there.</p>
<p>But Creekland, it’s not stereotypes about Liberty that are the problem. It is the brand–one that has been carefully and consciously developed and refined by the university. The administration could choose to foster dialogue among a wider range of viewpoints by inviting people with alternate views to speak on campus. They could encourage the presence of student groups that fall outside the mainstream. But they don’t, and the students who go there are willing to attend DESPITE the lack of diversity and tolerance.</p>
<p>Also, I doubt you would ever see people posting here about how the name of the college might have hurt their chances in the job market. How would they know? With dozens or even hundreds of applicants for most professional jobs these days, hiring managers make first cuts quickly. It’s not that they aren’t interested in being open minded, it’s that they sometimes have a visceral negative reaction and decide they don’t want to “go there” unless a candidate from Liberty is truly outstanding. I am sure the same thing happens to graduates of the American Islamic Institute or Loma Linda University (Seventh Day Adventist). And in the case of Liberty, the school’s conservative political ideology is as dominant as its Christian perspectives on issues–making it twice as troubling for employers who don’t want to deal with the problems that could arise if an employee was the sort to express strident, extreme viewpoints on social or other issues.</p>
<p>I’m not talking about a message board. I’m talking IRL. Maybe in some areas the name hurt them, but the students I know IRL are working or made it into grad/prof school. Maybe the name helped them too. Many grad/prof schools also seek diversity… and many folks in business are conservative. ;)</p>