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This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

okwu.edu

411–420 of 707 posts

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#411
post #199

I have a friend who attended OKWU a few years ago. She shared this piece on Facebook in approval. From what I know from her education there, this place is essentially a "safe-space" for Christians. If you say anything negative about the religion or its teachings, you are kicked out. If you don't follow its rules, you are kicked out. If you drink, smoke, have premarital sex, are lgbtq, don't follow their strict ethics…

There's a stark difference between a free and voluntary association of like-minded people and a so-called "safe space", which uses a pretext of "victimization" to capriciously thought control others who simply committed the offense of disagreeing or criticizing. If you hate Christianity, why would you go to this school? If you aren't willing to follow behavioral rules, why would you go to this school? If you think philosophy should only be secular, then why would you go to this school? Schools like this generally make no secret of their expectations for students and faculty.

If you say anything negative about the religion or its teachings, you are kicked out.

Really? Citation please; I simply don't believe this. Most Christian universities that I have any knowledge of invite (or at least aren't averse to it) tough discussion, and allow for a pretty wide range of critical thought about interpretations of the Bible, how Christianity should relate to politics, culture, science, and many other subjects.

Until a few years ago, you could major in something that amounted to being a 'preacher's wife' (I can't remember the name of the major, but that was its goal).

And this is evidence of what, exactly?

"Safe-spaces", on the other hand, are cudgels of fear, handed to anyone claiming "victimization" to be capriciously used against people with whom they simply disagree and want to shut up. The reason they're even a thing is because school administrators themselves are beholden to the same fear. That's not at all like free association.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#412
post #199

I have a friend who attended OKWU a few years ago. She shared this piece on Facebook in approval. From what I know from her education there, this place is essentially a "safe-space" for Christians. If you say anything negative about the religion or its teachings, you are kicked out. If you don't follow its rules, you are kicked out. If you drink, smoke, have premarital sex, are lgbtq, don't follow their strict ethics…

I went to a similar school (not affiliated with OKWU), and had a very similar experience. I tried asking certain questions which were...not encouraged. Additionally, we had: Bible-majors for men, and Christian-Education Studies for women. I saw many women who were failed essentially because they were a woman and "women shouldn't be pastors, they should be Sunday-School teachers". The education was much more about "li…

If I understand correctly, they clearly state their religious affiliation. They are free to "teach" whatever they want.

And you are free to get your education somewhere else.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#413
post #199

I have a friend who attended OKWU a few years ago. She shared this piece on Facebook in approval. From what I know from her education there, this place is essentially a "safe-space" for Christians. If you say anything negative about the religion or its teachings, you are kicked out. If you don't follow its rules, you are kicked out. If you drink, smoke, have premarital sex, are lgbtq, don't follow their strict ethics…

So, it's basically a re-education (indoctrination) camp disguised as an educational institution and therefore I concur with that "prof" in his plea with that student to beat it and get the heck out of there ASAP and leave this wonderful Christian madrassa and its faculty alone pondering over extremely important theological questions.

Dude, it's a christian evangelical university - http://www.okwu.edu/about/

It's not like they are disguising that fact.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#414
post #389
post #199

I have a friend who attended OKWU a few years ago. She shared this piece on Facebook in approval. From what I know from her education there, this place is essentially a "safe-space" for Christians. If you say anything negative about the religion or its teachings, you are kicked out. If you don't follow its rules, you are kicked out. If you drink, smoke, have premarital sex, are lgbtq, don't follow their strict ethics…

> It's honestly baffling because I am sure there are hundreds of very smart people there who must realize this, including the professors and administration. Well, they can't be that smart, given they haven't yet figured out that there is no supernatural dude who lives in the sky who communicates with them telepathically, and there is no such thing as ghosts (holy or otherwise).

Thanks for opening my eyes. I'm renouncing my religion tomorrow. You should write a book! You are very convincing.

Let's not use HN as a place to destroy religion -- there's plenty of other venues for that.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#415
post #267

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh, it's sarcasm? I really didn't know. That's an opinion I see pretty much everywhere so I just assumed it was serious, haha.

The beauty of Internet flamewars is that half of the people who voted this comment to the top voted out of agreement with the literal interpretation and the other half voted because they read "you missed /s" and took it for sarcastic. What the original poster intended you never know...

> What the original poster intended you never know...

Isn't this the essence of religion after all?

It's like that you don't know what were the real intentions of the OP who is unavailable and can't be reached and you're just left with vague texts and conflicting interpretations and re-interpretations making you feeling completely confused and lost.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#416

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with the jist of what is said by the president, but while reading this I felt the religious intonations were a bit strong and the article not object enough. Reading your comment does provide correlation to the strong religious sentiments. Also their mission statement: As an evangelical Christian university of The Wesleyan Church, Oklahoma Wesleyan University models a way of thought, a way of life, and a way o…

Thanks for posting the Mission Statement. Got me thinking a little bit more about their "values" so I was able to quickly dredge up a course catalog. Why? I wondered what their take on Biology would be - you know, that whole Evolution thing. To wit: Biology Major — Students will demonstrate the following outcomes, upon completion of the Biology degree offered by the School of Arts and Sciences: 1. A sound basic under…

This looks like they are actually jettisoning Biblical Creationism and trying to explain the act of "Creation" in terms of evolutionary processes.

I'm under impression that such is also the official stance of the major "mainstream" churches today.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#417
post #199

I have a friend who attended OKWU a few years ago. She shared this piece on Facebook in approval. From what I know from her education there, this place is essentially a "safe-space" for Christians. If you say anything negative about the religion or its teachings, you are kicked out. If you don't follow its rules, you are kicked out. If you drink, smoke, have premarital sex, are lgbtq, don't follow their strict ethics…

> Isn't this just an extreme safe-space for Christianity? It's exactly what they're arguing against, but backs up their worldview so it's not an issue.

Well, a good solid Christian university isn't really a safe space; you should have a lot of theology and church history that you didn't know about taught - it will (should, heh) force a reexamination of what you claim you believe (as an aside, the summary is that the bog standard teachings from most churches only scratch the surface of what is actually there; reality is harder and more challenging than the milquetoast that is commonly taught).

That said, it's fair to say that if a 'feminist' university existed, going in and complaining that your male feelings were hurt should get you the same response, mutis mutandi. Like another posted stated: this university does what's on the tin. If you or your parents don't like it, you shouldn't attend.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#418
post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> you have to first be able to express their position in a way that they agree represents their view. This habit is extremely powerful. There's no way to require people to do it, but people who do it, at least know the arguments of their opponents, are in such a better position to get what they want that people who don't are left standing, mouths open wondering what happened. And it's extremely timely as just two wee…

I agree it is powerful but it is also just effective communication. I try to do it a lot with my girlfriend on things we don't necessarily agree. I'll paraphrase her position to ensure that my response is correct. ...Sadly, that is sometimes met with "No, are you even listening". But hey, at least at that point she rewords it to get her point across.

heya if you are talking about communicating with a woman - or rather feminine energy - sometimes it can be even easier than that! 95% - 99% of the time, feminine energy works out its problems through saying them out loud and being heard. (Masculine energy works out its problems by pondering in a man cave).

So often, all you have to do is keep your lips closed and listen. It can be hard, but that's the way it works, by sometimes introducing an uncomfortable air. Your calm, attentive, silent response to the discomfort is how the energy is resolved. Shortly after the discomfort, you'll feel a mood change and when she says, "Thank you for listening!!" you'll often get a big hug. I sincerely hope this helps you and everyone else big time.

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#419

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for posting the Mission Statement. Got me thinking a little bit more about their "values" so I was able to quickly dredge up a course catalog. Why? I wondered what their take on Biology would be - you know, that whole Evolution thing. To wit: Biology Major — Students will demonstrate the following outcomes, upon completion of the Biology degree offered by the School of Arts and Sciences: 1. A sound basic under…

It doesn't contain the word "Creationism". The word "Creation" simply means "the universe", i.e. that which is created.

Fair enough.

What then does "Integration of the Biblical Principles into life sciences" mean?

Re: This Is Not a Day Care. It’s a University

#420
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I sympathize with your viewpoint, perhaps I can shed some clarity on the other side. The concern is not feelings getting hurt, but rather physical security as a person of minority status. This is something that a white heterosexual middle-class male (such as myself) can probably never fully appreciate, but I try to sympathize. Imagine what it is like to be black in a country where just a few generations back yo…

But this explanation does not seem to match the facts. For example, many law professors are having to stop teaching rape law, because so many students say it makes them uncomfortable[1]. Surely college students are capable of distinguishing between the threat of rape, and the discussion of relevant law in a classroom environment? So what is the safety issue here? Indeed, the end result will likely be a net lowering o…

> For example, many law professors are having to stop teaching rape law, because so many students say it makes them uncomfortable[1]

Nowhere in your link does it say that any professor anywhere had to stop teaching rape law.

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