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University appologize for past racial discriminatory policies

Posted by Ria, 25 Nov

The first step is accepting a mistake was done … and Bob Jones University has taken it by apologizing for its past racist policies, not forgetting the ban on interracial dating (which was lifted in 2000) and disinclination to admit black students up until 1971. The university president, Stephen Jones, apologized by posting a statement on the college’s website on Thursday, saying the policies weren’t based on the scripture but on societal beliefs.

The statement read: "We conformed to the culture rather than provide a clear Christian counterpoint to it. In so doing, we failed to accurately represent the Lord and to fulfill the commandment to love others as ourselves. For these failures we are profoundly sorry.”

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Much as the school officials refused to make comments on the statement but admitted that the BJU president had been considering the idea and finally felt the time was right to apologize.

A group mostly comprised of BJU alumni Please-Reconcile.org was also satisfied with the statement given their earlier efforts of asking university officials to apologize for the racial discrimination policies. “The statement is an excellent step in admitting past wrongs and expresses a clear, institutional commitment to true, biblical diversity in the body of Christ,” wrote Tim Tsuei, graduate of BJU 1989 in an email response. “We hope that the public will see a willingness to admit past wrongs, a commitment to true biblical practice and a new start in race relations at BJU. We understand that the consequences of sin cannot be erased overnight, but … repentance is right whether or not other people are willing to forgive.”

The statement further said, “As believers we are also committed to demonstrating the love of Christ daily in our relationships with others, disregarding the economic, cultural and racial divisions invented by sinful humanity.”

President of the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Lonnie Randolph, however expressed his disappointment saying, "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."

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19 responses to "University appologize for past racial discriminatory policies"

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  1.   kenyanito says:
    Posted: 09 Dec 08

    it is sad that a university can be based on such issues...pls direct where in the bible its written that racial marriages are forbidden...but if they ask for forgiveness and really really want to change and amend their faults..who are we people lest we be like BJU

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  2.   whurr says:
    Posted: 05 Dec 08

    The only reason they ended it was because Bush was there a few days before and the Democrats made a big deal about it on Larry King. Within a few days of it almost costing him his freshly announced candidacy ... Bob Jones Univ dropped the ban. If the Dems never spoke up, the ban wouldnt even have happened. Bush was there Feb 3 2000 I think.... the ban happened soon after. They despise Catholics and Mormons as well as all the chocolate loving white people !!

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  3.   AhTrini says:
    Posted: 03 Dec 08

    Oh freakin' please.....

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  4.   ante59 says:
    Posted: 01 Dec 08

    Israel was plagued for committing whoredom with Midianites—descendants of Abraham (Genesis 25:14). Solomon was rebuked for marrying, among others, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites—all descendants of Shem (Genesis 19:36-38; Genesis 36). In both cases the problem was clearly that these strange wives led the Israelites away from the true worship of the true God. The problem was interreligious marriage, not interracial marriage. Yet, on the other hand, Moses married a Midianite woman in Exodus 2:15-21 with no condemnation from God. The condemnation came from Miriam and Aaron and God was angry with them (Numbers 12:1-9). Nowhere in the Bible do we read of God correcting Moses for the wife he chose—even though she was black. Her skin color is proved by a comparative analysis of scripture which indicates that Jethro and Zipporah were black. Zipporah was identified as an Ethiopian woman in Numbers 12:1, Hebrew, "Cushite." Habakkuk 3:7 shows Cushan was an archaic term for the Midianites. Jethro was also considered a Kenite in Judges 1:16. Zipporah was accepted by God because her religion was not wrong. Her father, Jethro, worshipped the true God (Exodus 18:10-27). We see later that Boaz was the son of Rahab, the harlot, a Canaanite woman from Jericho. Rahab was accepted by God and allowed to marry an Israelite because she became a member of the "church"—she accepted the religion of Israel (Hebrews 11 :31). Boaz married Ruth, a Moabite. This was allowed because she accepted the true God. All of these historical facts show that Jesus' ancestry included Gentiles (Matthew 1:5; Luke 4:32). One should also note that Solomon was the son of Bathsheba, "daughter of Sheba" (Genesis 10:7) a descendant of Cush. Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, was also the former wife of Uriah the Hittite. Yet David was never criticized for marrying outside of his race. His sin was the sin of adultery. The marriage was later blessed by God rather than condemned, and the offspring of the interracial marriage was chosen by God to be the King of Israel.

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  5.   Sakary says:
    Posted: 30 Nov 08

    Once again, this "apology" from a university shows the ugly truth. BJU is "sorry," asking "forgiveness" for its "failure." Bob Jones University should not feel sorry about its past, it should be "ashamed" of it. Its policies were not a failure, policies only showed institution's true racist mentality. Forgiven the past, maybe ... but first the institution should show that it REALLY and SINCERELY admits the wrong-doing. I do not find any sort of "feeling of shame" in the statement. And I am quite sure there's none ...

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  6.   ditzydame says:
    Posted: 30 Nov 08

    Actually, I applaud Bob Jones University for asking forgiveness. That is what God lovingly commands and graciously gives to anyone who sees their sin and repents of it. He grants them forgiveness and treats the forgiven person as though the sin never existed--how much do I love THAT though! I don't know any Christian who immediately forsakes every sin in their life all at once (though it would be so very grand if we obeyed God and did) look at the apostle Peter who was leading folks to salvation after Christ had died, but was practicing his brand of racism when Jewish Christians were around-- he withdrew from gentile Christians (even though God had told him "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Acts 10:1-22 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=10&version=31) until the Apostle Paul had to give confront him in his sin. (Galatians 2:11-17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians%202:11-17;&version=31;) But that is why there is a need for God's Grace which the bible says "is new every morning" I'm reminded of the story of a slave trader who was a dreadful wanton reprobate who then became a Christian only to still transport slaves for several years after his conversion. Twenty two years late, he was so appalled by the practice, began to speak out against slavery. He was Jahn Newton, the writer of the song "Amazing Grace" Weather or not he wrote that song as a response to the sin in his life is not important (I read on Snopes it might have been in response to a competition) the principle is true, God saves sinners not because of anything they have done or ever will do, but because of His incredible undeserved Grace... Humbly speaking from personal experience, sometimes it just takes a while for this blind person to see and forsake my sins. That is why I praise God for His promise that says: "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." and I am thankful that God did not save me because of my perfection, but because of His when He died sinlessly on the cross and rose from the dead. Thanks for reading.

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  7.   Nikolas says:
    Posted: 29 Nov 08

    'Christian' univeristy. Lol. Americans... Seems like a devil's university to me... I'll stick with my atheist ways and date whomever I want to thank you.

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  8.   Glock says:
    Posted: 29 Nov 08

    What is the deal with the bashing of people that are viewed as "right wing"? And particular Christians? There is no hatred from the left? Liberals don't "hate"? Anyone heard of the Nation of Islam? Seen much approval of interacial dating there? Yes Bob Jones university clearly had views that are considered wrong by many people, myself included. But in this country we do have the freedom of association in which we can gather with like minded people. That is what the first amendment is there to protect. Whether those views are considered wrong or not by other people. Isn't the "left" always preaching to others to be "tolerant"? Or is it only tolerant when the left agrees with a position?

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  9.   MochaPearl says:
    Posted: 29 Nov 08

    BTW, I consider myself a conservative christian that belongs to a conservation christian congregation lead by a wonderful man of God that happens to be a white, southern (FL!!) gent. Our congregation looks like the festival of nations, every tongue and tribe of the world seems to be represented. Not just in the pew, but in the choir, on the BOD, in EVERY area of ministry and interracial dating, marriages and children abound just as same race dating, marriages and childen continue. Please remember that we cannot put ALL of anything into a box...we just don't fit!

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  10.   MochaPearl says:
    Posted: 29 Nov 08

    Bob Jones University admitted the practices of the university were wrong and counter to that of Biblical teaching. We should not judge Christianity based on the actions of this one colleg, there is plenty of that going on elsewhere; we can on judge Christianity based on Christ. How lucky we are that He has not said, "Aw, nice gesture, but it took you too long to get here." When there is an error in judgement that is FINALLY realized, we should stop punishing the offense; at some point we must move forward, in forgiveness and acceptance. The same acceptance we expect. Love knows and accepts not man made law or rules. Some man made laws have made is easier to openly express love without color or class boundries; some have accepted color "blindness" but still practice class/cast discrimination, so money and status divide instead of color. Worst still is the discrimination based on skin coloring, someplaces revier darker skin tones some lighter - within the same race! Some laws allow women to hold office and some do not. We live in an imperfect judgemental world; so we who have come to a greater knowledge and understanding of the true acceptance should be the first to say "You are forgiven. Now lets move on."

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  11.   ante59 says:
    Posted: 29 Nov 08

    PS. Of course i don't even try to pretend that europeans have higher moral than americans. Nazis almost destroyed German Evangelical Church making the church bandwagoning NSDAP. Catholic church has it's skeletons in WC too. I think the main reason is that europeans had to change their attitudes after 1945. Perhaps american rightwing churches are going to make their similar move now. Normalization. People normally start to think when they have loose the war or money. Winners think that they are right. Perhaps this is what history can teach uss.

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  12.   ante59 says:
    Posted: 29 Nov 08

    It has always been big surprise to me that so many people are still thinking that interracial marriage is "against bible". In Europe - or at least in Finland - i haven't heard any pastor, clerk or preacher talking this kinda nonsense. For instance as a member of Lutherian Church of Finland i know it well that racism is classified more as a sin than "normal" attitude. And it's very interesting thing that perhaps the most "conservative" lutherian branch in Finland, lestadians, are positive about interracial marriages of God's children. That's to total opposite of american righwing conservative christian churches. When e.g lestadians have got more and more followers from Africa and Latin America that principe has becoming even more stronger. So interracial marriage is normal.

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  13.   bakalakanaka says:
    Posted: 29 Nov 08

    Wasn't this just reverse affirmative action? Why is ANY form of discrimination permitted as policy? Hooray to everyone for being so enlightened; let's pat each other's backs and mock the "religious right." Then perhaps we'll feel better about our own dysfunctions. Such a silly bunch...

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  14.   groovycat says:
    Posted: 28 Nov 08

    When I read articles like this I want to say "What the hell took you so long. Climb on board the peace train fool, we've been waiting for you". I learned about racism and race history in this country at a very early age. And I rejected it at an early age. Some people got left behind.

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  15.   mechi says:
    Posted: 27 Nov 08

    How about we give them credit for finally "seeing the light"...if race relations are ever going to improve we need to focus on the positive steps and forgive the sins of the past. And I think the problem in most of the western cultures is that we have "religion" rather than a "relationship" with God. I don't want a world without God, but I could do with one with "religions"

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  16.   fromrwluv says:
    Posted: 27 Nov 08

    I am from California and this article talks about the side of America that I thankfully was not exposed to. It sounds like a trip into a twilight zone... Wikipedia defines Bob Jones establishment as "Protestant fundamentalist, liberal arts university" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Jones_University I think it is an oxymoron to put fundamentalist and liberal in one sentence. Wonder what kind of "science" are they teaching there...

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  17.   Melis87 says:
    Posted: 26 Nov 08

    That is why I question religion in America sometimes. What is really the foundation of it? Much of Europe is non-religious and there is more interracial dating/sexual freedom here than in America. Coincidence? I think not... Sometimes religion really shouldn't be involved...very hypocritical like the Pharisees in the Bible.

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  18.   humorme3 says:
    Posted: 26 Nov 08

    My bad. I meant 'removed the ban' on interracial dating.

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  19.   humorme3 says:
    Posted: 26 Nov 08

    Yet again, the religious right has shown their narrow minded, hypocritical heads when it comes to race and just common sense. It was just 8 short years ago that they 'banned' interracial dating? And exactly what was the 'punishment' if you got caught? How is this university still allowed to be open and who in the world is attending it?

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