Liberty University recently became the first private organization to join the mass of lawsuits filed against the new legislation on health care. I encourage you to read the article posted by the News & Events section of Liberty University's website:
http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=17125
The amount of attention given to politics at Liberty University has been overwhelming over the past several months. Some might find such an assessment to be strange coming from an individual who chose to attend Liberty owing to its Right-wing Fundamentalist leanings and conservative outspokenness. Nonetheless, I believe politics has taken over the LU mindset. An example may be found in the quote below from the article mentioned above.
“We here at Liberty believe that the healthcare bill that was signed into law this week is an attack on our freedoms and our liberties that our founders fought and died to secure,” said Falwell. “This university is named Liberty for a reason. We believe in defending the liberties that are guaranteed by our Constitution.”
I have spoken to many people concerning my opinions of Liberty's political momentum. Such conversations have included comments concerning the campaign at LU to register students to vote in the upcoming Lynchburg election for City Council members. Personally, I am against college students voting for local issues when the students are only temporarily invested in a community owing to the location of an educational institution. However, I digress...
As a student at Liberty University, I am not sure that joining a lawsuit against the government is the best idea out there. In speaking with some individuals, it appears that I am not alone on this matter. Some basic problems arise when Liberty jumps on the bandwagon of fighting health care reform in the courts. One such problem is the idea that Liberty has now painted a target on itself for future problems with the U.S. government. Another problem comes in the form of Liberty's purpose.
Jerry Falwell, Jr. asserts in the above quote that Liberty was named for the purpose of promoting freedom as outlined in the Constitution of the United States. While the cause of defending the U.S. Constitution is noble, one must question whether this was/is the purpose of Liberty University. After all, a main theme of LU is the concept of "Training Champions for Christ." Please note that the theme is not "Training Champions for the U.S. Constitution" or "Raising Up Voters for a Liberty-friendly City Council." Clearly political events can easily cloud over legitimate goals, and have done so in recent years.
In addition, the University has often used 2 Corinthians 3:17 as a means of describing LU. The passage of scripture reads, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Liberty publications have often changed "freedom" to "Liberty" in order identify the institution's commitment to Christianity. (Questionable exegesis, I know.)
As a follower of Christ it is important that I keep my focus on Jesus Christ. I am a follower of Christ before I am a student at Liberty University, a registered voter, or an American. Perhaps the focus of Liberty University has shifted as a result of political unrest and economic threats. However, such a shift in focus can be dangerous. I'd rather Liberty be known for spreading the Gospel and defending biblical principles than filing lawsuits and leading biased political campaigns. This is not to say that civil responsibilities should be abandoned, but may the actions of the University reflect its purpose to "Train Champions for Christ." May Liberty University not focus on politics to the extent that its original purpose of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ is abandoned.
28 March 2010
Evil Exists and Its Name is Poppy
I recently watched a National Geographic documentary on the problem of heroin. I found the video to be quite interesting and informative. Not only did I not know very much about the drug prior to watching the documentary, but I had not seen many examples of the effects of the drug on the user.
A portion of the documentary highlighted the fact that about 90% of the heroin distributed worldwide originates in the poppy fields of Afghanistan. This was not really new information to me owing to the increased media coverage in the region over the previous decade. Nonetheless, the documentary dove into a deeper problem. Perhaps the makers of the documentary did not mean to communicate it, but it occurred to me that the problem of heroin in Afghanistan is a microcosm of a larger problem... Evil.
The documentary explained that heroin distribution ceased under the rule of the Taliban. The cruel and evil practices of the Taliban led to the severe death and injury of many poppy farmers. The destruction of poppy farming at the hands of the Taliban was founded on the Islamic condemnation of growing, selling, and/or using hallucinogenic drugs.
As most of us know, the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan and used it as one of the fronts for the "War on Terror." After months of fighting the Taliban, the regime's rule over the people of Afghanistan came to an end, for the most part. Since the beginning of the war Afghanistan has held multiple elections and dramatically changed its government. However, with the end of Taliban rule came the renewed growth and distribution of heroin. Thus, the previous evil (heroin) which was squashed by the other evil (the Taliban) arose to popularity yet again. Despite efforts of the United States, and others, to stop one type of evil, it has led to the reemergence of another.
This reveals the problem of evil that all of us face in this world. In an attempt to feel happiness, heroin users shoot up. In an attempt to gain power, the Taliban continues terrorist practices. In an attempt to stop evil, the United States opens the doors for another evil to thrive. Yet, one must come to realize that true happiness cannot be gained through a needle. Mankind deserves no power. And our efforts to do things on our own will ultimately lead to problems.
Evil exists. Ultimately, man can do nothing to stop its spread on his own. It is only through the grace of God as revealed in Jesus Christ that we have any hope of escaping from evil. Paul writes about creation yearning for redemption. This brings to mind the concept that God's original creation (not tainted by sin) was perfect- no thorns, no pain, no ill-effects. In the same way, man yearns for a return to original perfection without evil people and practices. As a follower of Christ I have hope that one day evil will cease. In addition, I know that a temporary high will not satisfy my craving for joy. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that I will experience joy in this life, and future fulfilled joy in the presence of God for eternity. May the problem of heroin illuminate man's ultimate need for salvation and the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
A portion of the documentary highlighted the fact that about 90% of the heroin distributed worldwide originates in the poppy fields of Afghanistan. This was not really new information to me owing to the increased media coverage in the region over the previous decade. Nonetheless, the documentary dove into a deeper problem. Perhaps the makers of the documentary did not mean to communicate it, but it occurred to me that the problem of heroin in Afghanistan is a microcosm of a larger problem... Evil.
The documentary explained that heroin distribution ceased under the rule of the Taliban. The cruel and evil practices of the Taliban led to the severe death and injury of many poppy farmers. The destruction of poppy farming at the hands of the Taliban was founded on the Islamic condemnation of growing, selling, and/or using hallucinogenic drugs.
As most of us know, the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan and used it as one of the fronts for the "War on Terror." After months of fighting the Taliban, the regime's rule over the people of Afghanistan came to an end, for the most part. Since the beginning of the war Afghanistan has held multiple elections and dramatically changed its government. However, with the end of Taliban rule came the renewed growth and distribution of heroin. Thus, the previous evil (heroin) which was squashed by the other evil (the Taliban) arose to popularity yet again. Despite efforts of the United States, and others, to stop one type of evil, it has led to the reemergence of another.
This reveals the problem of evil that all of us face in this world. In an attempt to feel happiness, heroin users shoot up. In an attempt to gain power, the Taliban continues terrorist practices. In an attempt to stop evil, the United States opens the doors for another evil to thrive. Yet, one must come to realize that true happiness cannot be gained through a needle. Mankind deserves no power. And our efforts to do things on our own will ultimately lead to problems.
Evil exists. Ultimately, man can do nothing to stop its spread on his own. It is only through the grace of God as revealed in Jesus Christ that we have any hope of escaping from evil. Paul writes about creation yearning for redemption. This brings to mind the concept that God's original creation (not tainted by sin) was perfect- no thorns, no pain, no ill-effects. In the same way, man yearns for a return to original perfection without evil people and practices. As a follower of Christ I have hope that one day evil will cease. In addition, I know that a temporary high will not satisfy my craving for joy. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that I will experience joy in this life, and future fulfilled joy in the presence of God for eternity. May the problem of heroin illuminate man's ultimate need for salvation and the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
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