A group for Democrats has now formed at Pat Robertson‘s Regents University. The school has had a Republicans group since… well… forever. But this is new ground for them:
… Carlos Campo, Regent’s vice president for academic affairs, said Robertson gave his thumbs up to the new group.
“He said, ‘You know what, it reflects the openness of our campus and how open we are to sharing of ideas,’” Campo said of his talk with Robertson.
Brandon Carr, Regent Democrats’ vice president, described the group as “Democrats and independents who want to be Christian leaders to change the world … explaining to others how you can be a Christian and agree to some Democratic principles as well.”
As a Christian-based school, Regent has a strongly evangelical, charismatic accent, and all faculty are expected to be Christians. They sign a statement binding them with Regent’s Christian beliefs, such as the infallibility of the Bible.
It’s a nice idea — getting a different point of view out there, recognized by campus officials. But I wonder how different the group really can be. Where does the group stand on funding of science? Civil Unions? Separation of church and state? Abortion? Are they basically aligned with Republican/conservative values?
Not surprisingly, the Regents Democrats don’t toe the party line in those areas:
“Their support of the people’s right to vote and of the entitlement to be part of the American political system, I closely identify with that,” she said .
“It’s the heart I feel the Democratic Party has for helping ‘the least of these,’” added [Takeshia] Stokes, quoting Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. “And that’s something that’s dear to my heart.”
At the same time, many Regent Democrats don’t embrace the party’s agenda wholesale. Stokes said she opposes abortion, though many in the Democratic Party support legalized abortion.
Ah well. It’s a start. Regents shouldn’t be commended for recognizing the group; it’s just the right thing to do. But good for the students to say there are Christians who are Democrats and they don’t want to hide that.
Have any of you ever started a group that went against the culture of your school or community?
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."
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