Atheist students silenced

[Ian David]

Concordia College is in a period of modernization. In the two and a half years I have called myself a Cobber, it seems like just about everything at the school has changed. The college has advanced technologically by adopting the new Banner system for everything from account information to registration and grades. The college has also become socially modernized from the radical changes that have taken place in the residence halls this year, specifically in regards to inter-visitation and co-ed dorms. Actions like these make many at the college feel like we are moving in the right direction—change not for the sake of change, but for the betterment of the school and the students as a whole.

This pride that I felt in the advancement and modernization of our school was recently destroyed when the true conservative nature of Concordia College reared its ugly head on Dec. 17. The college denied the formation of the student organization Concordia Atheists-Secular Students at Concordia College on the basis that atheism is not in compliance with “college standards,” despite the support it received from the Campus Ministry Office.

What “college standards” do atheists not meet? Are we not equal members of the Concordia community? Do we not share the same rights to express our religious views as those that participate in Sunday Night at East or in Tabernacle?

According to the most recent Concordia College Factbook published for the 2008-2009 academic year, upwards of 16 percent of the school population reports no religious affiliation. The group already has 60 members on Facebook, which, just as an example, is 37 more members than the Campus Republicans (a recognized organization) can claim. How can a school deny the recognition of such a sizable minority of its students?

More:
http://www.livewiredj.net/concordian/pacercms/article.php?id=1088

[darkstar3]

1. As annoying as it is to see religious people "silencing" atheist groups,

I have to say that
a) I'm not surprised that Concordia, a Christian college, would do this, and
b) for once I'm not sure the atheists have much of a right to bitch.

Concordia is well known, at least here in the midwest, as a VERY Christian school. The joke here actually goes something like this:
"So where will you go to college?"
"I was looking at Concordia."
"Oh, so you're planning to be a Lutheran school teacher."

To voluntarily attend a private school SO caught up in not only being Christian, but also in spreading Christianity, I think you pretty much have to forfeit the right to bitch about being a silenced minority. After all, we don't chase Christians into their churches and then tell them that they must accept and recognize our views on the non-existence of God, and I think that same paradigm applies here.

To put it another way: What do you call an atheist who attends Bob Jones University? A lunatic glutton for punishment.

[madrchsod]

2. evangelical lutherans?

would`t they be methodists?:rofl:

[darkstar3]

3. Frankly, I'm not sure,

the only methodists I've met have been incredibly...vanilla, for lack of a better word.

[struggle4progress]

4. It's a bit unclear to me. Concordia makes a point of emphasizing its Lutheran affiliations.

It's a private university connected to the ELCA, and its mission statement includes "The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life." The website says "The College serves the life of the church by studying, transmitting and contributing to Christian conviction and practice. Students engage and examine this tradition for personal growth and for strengthening the Christian community. The College helps students find authentic religious lives in conversation with a multiplicity of world views and faiths." It also says "Concordia students now represent 43 different religious denominations and come from 38 different states and 40 different countries. We owe much of our vibrant academic culture to a rich diversity of experiences and perspectives from both students and faculty" and "Students of all faiths, or with no religious beliefs, are welcome at Concordia." I found a Straight and Gay Alliance and a Catholic Student Organization but not a Jewish or Islamic student group: one might wonder if the quality of their religion courses on Judaism or Islam are affected by a lack of Jewish or Islamic students

[MineralMan]

5. Hmph!

Concordia is a church-owned, church-operated college. Why would an atheist attend such a school? When I was a senior in high school, the Presbyterian church I had attended offered me a full-ride scholarship to Wheaton College. I turned it down, because the seeds of my atheism had already been sown. My parents, who ended up footing the bill at the state college I attended, supported my decision.

Sometimes, things are just as they seem. Making decisions is important.

[jberryhill]

6. Is this some sort of a joke?

A private religious school doesn't support atheism.

Shocking news.

Next you'll tell us that bears have been defecating in the woods.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[darkstar3]

8. Badly written hate speech

supported by incredible twisting and misunderstanding of scientific discovery and theory. Quel surprise...enjoy your stay...

[Odin2005]

9. Thank the FSM I didn't go there for college, I go to MSUM instead.

Fucking bigoted assholes.

[Festivito]

10. Is that like a Beefeater club at a Hindu college?

How about a Meat-eater club at a Vegetarian U.
Or, the Rewrite Studies for Money Club at Sci-U.
The Gambling Club at Baptist U.
The Liars Club at Truth U.

At least it's not personal.

Although, I do feel it's silly to stop people from meeting. It gives a place for people to confront such beliefs.

[trotsky]

11. Or a black students club at a whites-only university.

Crazy, I tell you! People like atheists & racial minorities need to learn their place! :sarcasm:

[Festivito]

12. Doesn't hit the analogy quite right.

Not choice versus belief, rather birthright.

How about a Young Republicans Mind Control Tactics Club at Democratic-Think-Tank University?

They did let them join, they should be allowed to associate. On the other hand, if they work against the goals of the University, they should not be allowed to attend the University, rather than being allowed to pay but not associate.

[trotsky]

13. Actually I think it hits pretty close.

Maybe someday we will look the same way at exclusive religious universities as we would at a whites-only one. To me, it's hard to see a difference.

[Festivito]

14. Keep trying. It might become easier. /nt

[trotsky]

15. Enjoy religion's privileged place in society.

The last bastion of discrimination.

[Festivito]

17. Not the last one. /nt

[humblebum]

16. Never let it be said that any atheist groups are trying to silence

religious expression. God forbid...urr... I mean Nothing forbid.