posted on April 22, 2004 10:30:28 AM new
This is how the NAZIs planned to do it.
21 April 2004
It is worth making clear from the outset that Patrick Henry College in rural Virginia is not your average American university. At Patrick Henry, the students - about 75 per cent of whom have been taught at home rather than in schools - are required to sign a statement of faith before they arrive, confirming (among other things) that they have a literal belief in the teachings of the Bible. At Patrick Henry, students must obey a curfew. They must wear their hair neatly and dress "modestly".
Students must also obey a rule stating that if they wish to hold hands with a member of the opposite sex, they must do so while walking: standing while holding hands is not permitted. And at Patrick Henry, students must sign an honour pledge that bans them from drinking alcohol unless under parental supervision.
Yet these things alone do not make the college special. There are, after all, a number of Christian establishments across the United States that enforce such a strict fundamentalist code for their students.
No, what makes Patrick Henry unique is the increasingly close - critics say alarmingly close - links this recently established, right-wing Christian college has with the Bush administration and the Republican establishment as a whole. This spring, of the almost 100 interns working in the White House, seven are from Patrick Henry. Another intern works for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign, while another works for President George Bush's senior political adviser, Karl Rove. Yet another works for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. Over the past four years, 22 conservative members of Congress have employed one or more Patrick Henry interns. Janet Ashcroft, the wife of Bush's Bible-thumping Attorney General, is one of the college's trustees.
And this is no coincidence. Rather, it is the very point. Students at Patrick Henry are on a mission to change the world: indeed, to lead the world. When, after four years or so of study, they leave their neatly-kept campus with its close-mown lawns, they do so with a drive and commitment to reshape their new environments according to the fundamentalist, right-wing vision of their college.
Critics say that Patrick Henry's system cannot help but produce narrow-minded students with extremist views, but the college's openly stated aim is to train young men and women "who will lead our nation and shape our culture with timeless biblical values".
Nancy Keenan, of the liberal campaign group People for the American Way, says: "The number of interns [from Patrick Henry] going into the White House scares me to death. People have a right to choose [where their children are educated], but we are concerned that they are not exposed to the kind of diversity this country has. They are training people with a very limited ideological and political view. If these young people are going into positions of power, they have to govern with all people in mind, not just a limited number."
It is also worth making clear that the staff and students at Patrick Henry College are extraordinarily pleasant. The campus itself lies in the small town of Purcellville, about 90 minutes' drive west of Washington DC, amid rolling hills and anonymous commuter communities. The campus is small - there are currently only 240 students, all of them white - and dominated by one large building that houses the classrooms, library and cafeteria where the students and staff take their meals. On one wall is a copy of a famous painting of the revolutionary war hero after which the college is named, 10 years before he made the "Give me liberty or give me death" speech for which he is best known. Students are required to attend "chapel" every morning.
The college was established in 2000 by Michael Farris, who runs the Home School Legal Defence Association, itself set up in 1983 to promote the values of Christian home-schooling as an alternative to what he and others considered the increasingly secular and irreligious culture taking hold in America's public schools. Farris - a lawyer who, with his wife, home-schooled their 10 children - is a protιgι of Tim LaHaye, well known in the American Christian community as a veteran conservative evangelical author and preacher.
The association has since grown in numbers and influence. It now has 81,000 families, each paying dues of $100. Last year, when George Bush signed legislation banning so-called "partial-birth abortion", Farris was one of five Christian conservatives invited to witness the act in the Oval Office. The college gets so much money from right-wing Christian donors that it operates without debt and yet charges just $15,000 (£8,300) a year for tuition - about $10,000 less than comparable institutions.
Farris, who is also the president of Patrick Henry, was unavailable for an interview when we visited his establishment, but he has told The New York Times: "We are not home-schooling our kids just so they can read. The most common thing I hear is parents telling me that they want their kids to be on the Supreme Court. And if we put enough kids in the system, some may get through to the major leagues."
The man entrusted with the education of Patrick Henry's students is Paul Bonicelli, a former staffer on the House of Representatives international relations committee and now the college's dean of academic affairs. He, too, is terribly pleasant. "I am just sorry that the most important thing we do did not get mentioned," he says, referring to an article in an American newspaper that focused on the strict behaviour code. "And that is to provide a very good liberal arts education." He adds: "I think the most important thing is our academic excellence, [and that we] combine it with a serious statement about our faith and values."
Before being hired by Patrick Henry, all members of the teaching faculty, too, have to sign a pledge stating that they share a generally literalist belief in the Bible. Oddly, only staff teaching biology and theology have to hold a literal view specifically of the six-day creation story. And what is Bonicelli's own view? He smiles. "I am basically persuaded by the young Earth. I believe in six literal days, but I remain open to someone persuading me otherwise."
Internships or apprenticeships, which all students are required to do in their final year, form a major part of their courses. Many spend time working for Republican members of the House or Senate, or in the White House. Only one student has interned for a Democrat. "Most students' values don't link up with [those of] the Democrats," Bonicelli says.
"Values" are something the students here seem to think about an awful lot - values and focus. Indeed, it must be rare to find a group of students so apparently focused as those at Patrick Henry. (Perhaps they are mindful that the admissions document they sign warns that "Satan exists as a personal, malevolent being who acts as tempter and accuser".)
"It's a very focused campus," confirms Marian Braaksma, 21, a charming, third-year creative and professional writing student, who was home-schooled by her parents in Arizona until the age of 18. "We know why we are here and we want to learn everything we can here. The professors give us a great opportunity to learn. We do work awfully hard; more than most colleges."
But what about student life? What about having fun, what about those usual student experiences that one might struggle to enjoy while obeying the rule about hand-holding and walking? What about those aspects of student life that I, frankly, felt a little too embarrassed to ask about directly? "We do have fun, but it is not the sort of student life of a normal college," insists Braaksma. "There are no heavy parties, we have a curfew. But there are sports and games. It is a very musical college. We have a drama team. We also have a debate team that does very well. Mr Farris has said the debate team is our college sports team. Often we will stay up to welcome them back if they have been away debating against another college."
On a tour of the campus, we bumped into a bright young man called Jordan Estrada, from Pennsylvania. Estrada, 18, carried a book entitled Systematic Theology. He had played the part of Creon in Sophocles' Greek tragedy Antigone when it was performed recently by the drama team. He said he was interested in science fiction and wanted to be a writer.
Why had he wanted to study at Patrick Henry? "A lot of what they teach in public schools is not based in reality. I am a believer in creation," he says. Did that belief lead to a conflict with his pursuit of science? "None whatsoever. I have discussed this and spoken to many scientists and I found that there is no contradiction."
A little further on we stopped to speak to Leeann Walker from San Diego, a 20-year-old due to be among the college's first students to graduate next month. Unlike most of the students, Walker had not been homeschooled, but she had nothing but praise for her friends who had. "I have found them to be some of the most responsible, most hardworking people I have ever met," she says.
Walker says she feels the college has prepared her for the real world, and that she is looking to work for one of the many conservative think tanks in Washington. "The mindset of most students is of denial of reality. They want to stay in their own, self-centred world for as long as possible."
It was at this point, walking past the single-sex dormitories and the campaign posters of suited students running for college office, towards the main building with its classrooms of attentive students, that one was struck with a sense of being on a film set. One could not help but recall the 1998 film Pleasantville, in which two teenagers are transported back to their parents' 1950s town of bland, unquestioning niceness.
The staff and students at Patrick Henry may laugh at this - if, that is, they have seen the film. The MTV and VH1 pop-culture channels are blocked from campus televisions, because their contents are considered inappropriate. The students' computers are set up with a program called Covenant Eyes, which monitors the websites they visit.
For all the warm welcomes, for all the smiles, for all the openness, there is something a little unsettling about Patrick Henry and the cultish devotion of its students. This is, after all, an establishment that claims to challenge its students to think for themselves, and yet establishes a fixed, rigid framework - both culturally and intellectually - in which they are to operate.
But, to its critics, what is perhaps most striking about this small, influential college with its self-confidence and focus, and its links with America's neoconservative political elite, is its utter transparency. Patrick Henry College is an institution devoted to spreading its word, spreading its view of the world, and helping to place its students in positions of authority and influence. And it does so in plain view.
posted on April 22, 2004 03:11:59 PM new
And the other side of that coin would be what? U.C. at Berkley? Are parents no longer allowed to educate their kids the way they see fit?
[ edited by tex1 on Apr 22, 2004 05:14 PM ]
posted on April 22, 2004 03:28:29 PM new
There is no other side of the coin.
Insisting on a literal translation of the Bible and that the earth was created by a god in 7 days is no different than Hitler "educating" German children with his lies and venom.
posted on April 22, 2004 05:13:26 PM new
I guess, I missed the part about the teachings being mandated by the government. Where would that be, exactly? Isn't that what Hitler did? Perhaps, some people prefer that their children not be educated by MTV?
posted on April 22, 2004 05:23:15 PM new
[i]Insisting on a literal translation of the Bible and that the earth was created by a god in 7 days is no different than Hitler "educating" German children with his lies and venom.
[/i]
The methodsmay be similar, but the there is a difference.
I've got no problem with these people educating their kids the way they want. I do have a problem with an agenda to force their ideaology on the rest of us.
******
Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on April 22, 2004 06:10:52 PM new
Sounds like a good university, imagine students willing to do internships their final year instead of smoking dope in the dorm...
I guess reamond didn't know Hitler was the Chancellor of Germany...Michael Farris isn't...
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
It's too bad that their blindness can't see they are killing more soldiers than President Bush ever has... Protest Loud and Proud! Your fellow taliban and insurgents are rejoicing at the support...
posted on April 22, 2004 07:23:40 PM new
bunnicula,
How long were you held captive in the university basement, while they forced their ideaology down your throat? Perhaps, they feel the same way about the more liberal agendas. Perhaps, most of us in the middle don't feel forced by either side and let the crap from both sides slide off of our backs.
[ edited by tex1 on Apr 22, 2004 07:28 PM ]
posted on April 22, 2004 08:14:38 PM new
Thanks Tex1
I made one of my first posts here about the war records not knowing anything about either one. I did not know a soldier could receive 3 purple hearts in 4 months. It just seemed so excessive. Believe or not it if you want. I still don't know the truth about either one. I have been called nasty and thank goodness it wasn't any stronger. I am labeled a republican. How does anyone know.
My voting record is NOT public record. I have posted sensibly. Making an error in a date. Which the date was when it was written. I find no agenda here but people trying to tell the facts and learn the facts.
Now I am sure there will be backlash to this but I can take it because I am a non conservative or non liberal voter as the majority aren't here.
posted on April 22, 2004 09:09:17 PM new
Libra - You've just got to develop thicker skin.....it's a war zone in here.
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Good points Tex....and good to see you back again too.
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Oh how terrible, a Bible college. [not] But I guess all the Muslim schools that are in America, even the Saudi ones who are teaching hatred of our citizens, are okay....just not Christian ones huh?
posted on April 22, 2004 10:16:21 PM new
Tex1, the difference between radical right Christians and run-of-the-mill Christians (& everyone else) is that the former is determined that their way of life, their beliefs, their way of doing things should and must be followed by everyone else.
You'll notice that, in my post, I said I didn't have a problem with how they educate their own kids. Which means I don't have a problems with the college--the kids are there voluntarily (one hopes). I said that the agenda to force their ways on everyone else was what I have the problem with. That's the great thing about America, up to now--folks are free to send their kids to the kind of college they like, that shares their beliefs. No one forces anyone to go to a liberal university.
******
Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on April 23, 2004 06:06:09 AM new
"I said that the agenda to force their ways on everyone else was what I have the problem with."
What are their ways, exactly? How are they forcing their ways on YOU, as an individual? Have there been threats to burn your barn? Are you being forced to wear a scarlet letter?
As a devout agnostic, I have not felt that I am being forced to believe anything, by anybody. Isn't part of living in a democratic society having to hear the views of both sides?
It appears to me that all sides of any issue are trying to advance their ideas. As long as those ideas are not forced at the point of the gun, it would seem to make for a healthy debate. Perhaps you feel it's OK to advance an agenda, as long as it's yours.
posted on April 23, 2004 08:19:58 AM newThe methodsmay be similar, but the there is a difference.
I've got no problem with these people educating their kids the way they want. I do have a problem with an agenda to force their ideaology on the rest of us.
And Nazis and the Taliban are different in what significant way ?
The public education system bases knowledge on facts and persuasive arguments. It also practices tolerance and diversity.
posted on April 23, 2004 10:02:28 AM newThe public education system bases knowledge on facts and persuasive arguments. It also practices tolerance and diversity.
Our education system leans very much to the liberal way of seeing things, especially in the higher levels of education....and that's what our children are taught. But there are those who think differently.....
so practice your tolerance and allow diversity of different views....don't try and restrict them because you don't agree.
On the Nazi and Taliban ....there is no comparison to how these children are being raised. They are not being taught to kill those who disagree with their own beliefs. It's a very rude, inacurate and misinformed comparison, imo.
posted on April 23, 2004 11:20:50 AM new
"Insisting on a literal translation of the Bible and that the earth was created by a god in 7 days is no different than Hitler "educating" German children with his lies and venom."
How does this Bible college hurt anyone? Have their students preached hate messages to anyone? How does living a good Christian life with morals & family values hurt anyone?
"[Public Education...] It also practices tolerance and diversity."
Why is this ALWAYS a good thing? What of the society we're tolerating is out to kill us all? The radical Islamists want to kill us BECAUSE we're open and tolerant. How can you defend that?
Tolerance in theory is a good thing, but there MUST BE LIMITS! Actually, if you look at most of the hot debating topics this year, they almost all revolve around one side having too much tolerance.
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We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing -- Anonymous
posted on April 23, 2004 11:21:49 AM new
One thing you can say about these PRIVATE fundamentalist colleges is that they instill RESPECT in their students for AMERICAN values, and pride in being AMERICAN.
The social left has saturated education with notions that American power is a fluke and a detriment to the world, that America's standard of living is to be ashamed of. They are citizens of "the world", even though most of the world is a scumpit. We should work shoulder to shoulder with the good nations of the UN to work for world peace (somehow ALWAYS at great cost to American objectives), because the good citizens of Yemen, Albania, Syria, et al are all working for a better world.
posted on April 23, 2004 11:52:54 AM new
Desquirrel that was a great statement, and so very true.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
It's too bad that their blindness can't see they are killing more soldiers than President Bush ever has... Protest Loud and Proud! Your fellow taliban and insurgents are rejoicing at the support...
posted on April 23, 2004 12:25:51 PM newso practice your tolerance and allow diversity of different views....don't try and restrict them because you don't agree.
The only thing they restrict is intolerant views. The "liberals" in public education rightly tolerate anything but intolerance.
On the Nazi and Taliban ....there is no comparison to how these children are being raised. They are not being taught to kill those who disagree with their own beliefs. It's a very rude, inacurate and misinformed comparison, imo.
What BS. Our fundementalist are no better than the Taliban or Osama bin Laden, the only difference is that they haven't come to power over here yet. The article I posted shows how they are attempting to come to power.
It is exactly what these right wing fundementalists are teaching their children that gets homosexuals beat up and murdered. It is what these fundementalists are teaching their children that causes them to bomb abortion clinics and shoot doctors, and blow up federal buildings.
Don't set and complain about the Taliban and al Qaeda or the Palestinians preaching hate and intolerance to children when we have our fundementalists doing the same thing here in America.
posted on April 24, 2004 12:57:07 PM new
reamond, why do you feel that fundlementalist shcools are a threat to this country?
Is there any basis to this other than your opinion?
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
It's too bad that their blindness can't see they are killing more soldiers than President Bush ever has... Protest Loud and Proud! Your fellow taliban and insurgents are rejoicing at the support...
posted on April 24, 2004 01:18:22 PM new"What BS. Our fundementalist are no better than the Taliban or Osama bin Laden, the only difference is that they haven't come to power over here yet. The article I posted shows how they are attempting to come to power."
I think Reamond already answered that question, Twelve. They are honing themselves into extremists to fill government positions. You think that's good?
posted on April 24, 2004 01:22:22 PM new
Article shows nothing of the kind, pure BS from the left... as usual
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
It's too bad that their blindness can't see they are killing more soldiers than President Bush ever has... Protest Loud and Proud! Your fellow taliban and insurgents are rejoicing at the support...
posted on April 24, 2004 01:38:43 PM new
Personally I see nothing wrong with the college or it's teaching. I don't have a problem with the students that go there or the parents that send them.
I do however have a problem with what seems to be a rather disproportionately large percentage of their students being brough into the White House. I think that it shows a conscious effort on the part of lleadership to create an enviroment that is consistant only with their own beliefs as opposed to one more representative of the population that they are supposed to represent. A lack of differing views is never a good thing in government. It eliminates debate and lessens the inspiration to find new ideas which serve the nation rather than personal agendas.
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Apr 24, 2004 01:53 PM ]
posted on April 24, 2004 01:52:00 PM new
Libra - have you bothered to read any of the records that you were directed to twice while you still insisted they were not released? Have you figured out yet what they records that you insisted were not being released even are to know they have not been released?
I'm also curious what you thought the quota on injuries recieved in battle were to judge 3 to be excessive. You are the one that tha when on about the the bravery and sacrifice of servicemen in combat and then you call one of them into question because he was in harms way too many times in too short a period of time?
Like I told Bear, you are going to have to make up your mind, either you support and respect men that put themselves in harms way in defense of the country or you don't. Either you respect the decisions of the US milltary or you don't (Kerry did not pick up the medals at the PX, they were awarded to him by the DOD). You can't waffle and hop the line depending upon the servicemans political ideals. You just come across looking silly.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on April 24, 2004 02:04:23 PM new
What the hell you talking about fenix?
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
It's too bad that their blindness can't see they are killing more soldiers than President Bush ever has... Protest Loud and Proud! Your fellow taliban and insurgents are rejoicing at the support...
posted on April 24, 2004 02:12:11 PM new
replay - Reamond wasn't always like this. In the past few months it's like he's a different person. I don't know what happened. He used to be [in my judgement] a moderate democrat that was flexible on some issues. Not hard line either way.
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Reamond - I feel very sad that you see no difference in religions that teach and call for the deaths of all who don't follow their beliefs and those who don't. There is no comparison, imo. They are as different as day and night....not as you claim 'they're both the same'.
posted on April 24, 2004 03:20:34 PM newI feel very sad that you see no difference in religions that teach and call for the deaths
That is exactly what the American fundemenatalist Christian Taliban is doing.
Are you blind to the preachers that are calling for the deaths of homosexuals and promoting the killing of doctors that perform abortions? Look at the things Ashcroft is attempting to do.
If you are attempting to define christianity as a peace loving group, I am afraid you are at a tangent with history and contemporary fundementalist christian doctrine.
