After they said “amen,” the trustees told everyone there would be some additions to contracts for the next academic year — changes intended to amplify the liberal arts college’s Christian mission. Then the faculty and staff filed out, past the large painting of the Prodigal Son in the hallway. Within the hour, they received two documents by e-mail. One was a statement of faith; the other, a list of “lifestyle” expectations.
Those who wanted to keep their jobs would have to sign both.
“We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inerrant and infallible Word of God,” the faith statement began. “The historical account of creation found in Genesis declares that God is the personal and direct Creator of all that exists." The lifestyle statement began with a commitment to hire faculty “dedicated to integrating Biblical faith into their classrooms” and a requirement that faculty be loyal to Shorter as a “Christ-centered institution." It continued into a list of “thou shalt not”s. Premarital sex, drinking in public and accepting homosexuality were forbidden.
Click the link below to see the whole story:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/11/14/cultural-change-tears-georgia-baptist-college-apart#ixzz2CD4IDnsf
(Fortunately it's not read by potential students or donors.)
"As I have pointed out many times in the past..You do not have to agree with a choice or behavior or lifestyle, but no one has the right to stand in judgement of others."
Does this also apply to those who disagree with Shorter's policies and how they choose to operate as a private organization...or is intolerance of the intolerant quite tolerable?
I am glad that you have finally admitted to the intolerance that now prevails on the hill. We know that you seem to be Dour Don's mouthpiece, so I have to wonder...
You have the right to believe whatever you choose. You do not have the right to inflict those views on others (under the threat of employment) or to stand in judgement of anyone. You do not have to agree with the "behavior" but you do not have the right to condemn. It is truly tragic the damage the GBC and Shorter BOT have done to damage Christianity in the unsaved world. I do not practice discrimination in my faith. I am called to love all as I would love my (Christian) brother. I am to accept them as one of God's children, live my life as an example and let God do his work. I learned this ethic at Shorter College...the one that according to the Donald was not Christian enough.
It is not that I am intolerant of the legalistic, dogmatic, overly self righteous folks that are currently running the GBC and Shorter, they have their place as long as they are not actively inflicting their self absorbed style of religion on others. I also understand that the GBC has no business in the education business..they have clearly shown their incompetence at Shorter and the other two schools they "own".
Sorry Josh, the sooner that you admit that you are flogging a dead horse, the easier it will be for you.
A formerly proud Shorter College grad..
Until you sons and daughters of Elmer Gantry who are running Shorter are boxed into a corner, you will continue with your lying and obfuscation. Do not think that you are fooling the people whose hearts are with Shorter. That corner will come soon enough.
Your comments clearly illuminate the shortcomings of the new tolerance. A reasonable person would presume from your comments that you have "condemned" and "judged" Dr Dowless, the Board of Trustees, and the Georgia Baptist Convention. Such comments certainly don't conjur the image of someone who "loves their Christian brother" or "accepts them as one of God's children." The problem with words such as "condemn" and "judge" is that they are moving targets. There is no mutually agreed upon definition for how they should actually operationalize. See my previously published article for an examination of how Scripture treats this issue: http://jarnoldcr.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/howshallwejudge/