Shorter has been a good school, but it will be better because God will honor those who honor him.
I have wondered why people are so critical of someone who takes a stand for what they believe. The administration had done nothing wrong, but good. Why do people criticize? Of course they crucified the best man who ever lived, Christ, so I guess it is expected when someone stands for him they will be crucified also.
I applaud the university’s decision and pray for Dr. Dowless and his mission to make the school more Christian.
There are many clamoring voices who say it is homphobic, racist, etc; but it is none of these.
Dr. Dowless is a true Christian Patriot.
"SHORTY FOX"
C-N, class of '53
However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT)
You truly believe that?
I believe you're on the wrong side of history. The pro-slavery and anti-gay marriage groups will be a sore spot in America's history... Just because something is in the Bible doesn't mean it's right.
I have not followed the Shorter issue for a few weeks and was surprised to see your letter.
Over the last months there have been numerous letters and comments from the populace about this issue.
The letters reveal a strongly divided opinion that seems to correlate with whether the commenter is a fundamentalist Christian.
Non believers, non fundamentalists and non christians do not support the changes at Shorter and rightly call out the bigotry and hypocrisy exhibited by the University.
Fundamentalists and right wing Christians whole heartedly support the changes.....Are you kidding?
They dream of the opportunity to make everyone sign a faith statement.
You Wrote: I have wondered why people are so critical of someone who takes a stand for what they believe. The administration had done nothing wrong, but good.
I reply: You are correct that no laws have been broken. However Shorter's policy is bigoted, Homophobic and racist.
Christians are always blathering about how Jesus advocated love and acceptance.....
Well the GBC seems to have no regard for turning the other cheek or loving thy neighbor.....
No....If you are gay and want to work at Shorter you can sign a statement and agree to live a lie or lose your job......
My research indicates Shorter is having severe financial difficulties.....Well Imagine that....
Shorter proclaimed to the nation there plan to practice discrimination and hate....
Then act surprised when donations stop coming in....
Priceless....
Rhuidean
I made a more detailed post on this last night in another thread:
http://rn-t.com/pages/full_story/push?article-FRIDAY BLOG- Match not made in heaven- &id=19459261#comments_19459261
I won't repeat my points here.
Suffice it to say, I think the evidence of a competence problem is getting ever more plain to see and should be a source of concern to people on all sides of the Shorter issue. I hope Dr. Bob White and the others that run the Georgia Baptist Convention (which controls Shorter) are paying attention -- otherwise, the GBC and they as individuals are going to end up with real egg on their face.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CIgEEBYwAA&url=http://www.shorter.edu/about/organizational_chart.pdf&ei=L-AOUNPPJNL82gXP44DwAw&usg=AFQjCNGfZAXJzM-_oKdeurN7BEufvqc-Wg
They also finally replaced Dr. Shull's welcome message with one from from Dr. Martin:
http://www.shorter.edu/academics/provost/provost_message.htm
Debra Faust has been demoted and they announced a Vice President of Student Affairs:
http://www.shorter.edu/about/news/2012/07_24_12_corey_humphries.htm
The organizational chart is still not fully correct, though -- they still show Wayne Phipps as HR Director.
These constant changes and the ongoing turnover make things very confusing to me -- am I the only one?
Some pastor.
IT IS A GIVEN THAT IF JESUS "HUNG AROUND" ANY PERSON, HE "HUNG AROUND SINNERS."
Pastor Barnes, are you implying that Shorter did not honor God before these changes? Shorter was a wonderful Christian College who showed more grace and mercy than most churches. However for Shorter to exclude any gay perosn from working for them but allowing gay students to attend the college and take their money is hypocrisy at its finest. I have no doubt that God will honor those who honor Him and that INCLUDES every gay christian in the world. And yes a gay person can most certainly honor Christ especially since He came to free them from the old laws. Every man has to answer for his or her self in front of God, one would be well served to focus on their own sin rather than worry with the sins of those they have no control over.
Can you send them some money, too? I'm not saying this to be a wise-acre -- seriously, now is the time for everyone who supports the changes at Shorter to double up on their giving.
And if you still have a pulpit, can you raise some money from your congregation?
One of the Georgia Baptist Convention's other two colleges, Brewton-Parker, has been warned it will lose accreditation if it doesn't fix its financial problems (as well as a number of others). Shorter itself is going through immense disruption at the same time its own reaccreditation is being evaluated.
It's becoming apparent that at the institutional level, the GBC will continue publishing great encouragement in the Christian Index but will unlikely be sending the increased funds needed to see Shorter through its changes. Likewise, I've just about given up on any significant amount of personal money coming from the members of Shorter's Board of Trustees, even though some are millionaires (Dr. Barden, I hope you're reading). I never hear about Dr. Dowless or Dr. Price doing much fundraising or giving these days.
So it falls to the rest of us to step up our support or else this Dr. Dowless and his team will be left high and dry facing the SACS accreditation team this winter. If the faculty and staff don't see Dr. Dowless' supporters stepping forward financially soon, they'll be forced to start looking elsewhere for jobs.
Why do people criticize? Because there is nothing Christian in rendering judgement upon fellow Christians and casting them out if they won't sign on the dotted line and prostitute their own personal religious convictions for the sake of their jobs.
What Shorter is doing has nothing to do with being a good Christian or honoring Christ. It has everything to do with men dictating what Christian beliefs are good enough to satisfy their intolerant fundamentalist dogma and thereby make Shorter LESS Christian, not more.
Being a good Christian is defined by one's actions, not merely their words. And Shorter's actions are clearly not what Christ would have considered to be Christian.
I too thank God for Shorter College. As a 1985 graduate, Shorter College taught me there are many different types of Christians. Christians who believe in the one true certainity - but have differences of opinions on the minor details; which is why we have different denominations within Christianity.
However, I do not applaud the the administrations' decision to take Shorter University away from its Christian heritage, and only uphold the fundamentalist, almost legalistic, viewpoint of the Georgia Baptist Convention - an organization that can't even get along within their own ranks.
I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion,and I appreciate that you believe the school is becoming more Christian. I hope you will appreciate my view that it is becoming less Christian and more Georgia Baptist - and contrary to what a good many GBC'ers might believe - they are not the sole keepers of the keys to the kingdom of Heaven.
That reason Mr. Barnes, is why people are so critical. Standing for Christ is one thing. To be told if you don't believe exactly as I tell you to believe, if you do not teach exactly as you are told; then you are not worthy - is an entirely different issue. Because the last time I checked my Bible, Jesus did not come and die for our sins to allow the Georgia Baptist Convention, Don Dowless, or Nelson Price to be the judge and jury of my Christianity and my walk with Christ nor that of anyone else.