Liberty University has supported the extremes of the right wing for years. Its president, Jerry Falwell Jr. has been a Trump supporter since the beginnings of his campaign. I ask him the same question I ask all others who claim to be Christians, and all women, ‘how could they continue to support Trump after the ‘Access Hollywood’ tapes were revealed and we learned that Trump was guilty of sexual assault, and is a sexual predator?’ How could anyone support him after we learned that he was indeed a racist?

Regardless, Falwell remains the president of Liberty University and an avid supporter of Trump.

This situation has caused some discontent among the school’s evangelical students. Many of them oppose Trump, and their university president’s continued association with him. They describe it as a source of “shame and anger.”

For many of the students Trump’s wretched remarks about the tragedy in Charlottesville were the last straw. They have no interest in supporting Trump. But Falwell continues to praise our immoral and illegitimate president. He tweeted that he was “so proud” of Trump for his “bold truthful” statement on the tragedy.

My first question is, ‘does Falwell represent the entire evangelical community?’ If so, they are not Christians, and not Americans. Supporting white supremacy is supporting hatred and violence. Jesus Christ spoke of kindness, love, forgiveness, and understanding.

Liberty University graduates have formed a group on Facebook. They are about 260 strong at present. They are asking all alumni to return their diplomas in protest, and have sent letters to the university’s board of directors asking for Falwell’s removal. They believe that by “revoking all ties, all support present and future,” the graduates hope to send a message to the school that “could jeopardize future enrollment, finances and funding,” according to the Facebook group. It’s always about the money. Only when finances are threatened will businesses and other organizations take action.

Falwell is obviously not a very bright man. He should have learned that the students at his school were free thinkers and were willing to challenge authority. In March of 2015, Ted Cruz became the first man to enter the 2016 campaign by announcing his candidacy for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination at Liberty University. The governing body decided to make this an event where mandatory attendance would be enforced. The students were required to pay ten dollars each. However, dozens of students wore ‘Rand Paul’ t-shirts to the event.

Falwell is a perfect example of why I denounce organized religion. I do not believe that another man has the right or the knowledge to tell another man how they must live their lives. We are given free thought at birth, and we must use it.

Please re-post; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Photo courtesy of Mike Licht

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