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"Bob Jones University ... is threatening to
have gay alumni and certain other graduates arrested for trespassing if
they set foot on campus" (AP-Greenville, S.C., The New York Times,
October 25, 1998).
"Wayne Mouritzen, 60, a retired minister and Bob Jones graduate,
received a letter, signed by Jim Berg, the dean of students, after officials
learned that Mr. Mouritzen is gay. 'With grief we must tell you that as
long as you are living as a homosexual, you, of course, would not be welcome
on the campus and would be arrested for trespassing if you did visit,' the
letter said" (AP-Greenville, S.C., The New York Times, October 25,
1998).
"'We take no delight in that action', it continued. 'Our greatest
delight would be in your return to the Lord'" (Sue Anne Pressley,
November 4, 1998).
A university spokesman, Jonathan Pait, said that an unwelcome graduate
who returned to campus would be asked to leave but that he did not know
of anyone who had been confronted or arrested" (AP-Greenville, S.C.,
The New York Times, October 25, 1998).
"But the Greenville News reported recently that Pait said the
policy does not apply to visitors to the campus, only to graduates who are
gay, belong to cults or qualify as criminals who have not repented their
misdeeds. 'We can't tell our alumni what they can and can't believe,' Pait
told the newspaper. 'But we can say, 'You've made your decisions -- please
do not return''" (Sue Anne Pressley, November 4, 1998).
"In recent years, South Carolina, one of the South's most conservative
states, has had several episodes of what gay groups view as intolerance.
In 1996, the Greenville County Council captured national headlines when
members adopted a resolution condemning homosexuality; as a result, organizers
of the Olympic torch run kept the flame enclosed in a van when it passed
through the area" (Sue Anne Pressley, November 4, 1998).
"In May, the Indigo Girls, a lesbian singing duo, were banned
from performing at Irmo High School near Columbia because of their sexual
orientation. Later that month, a candidate for the Republican nonination
for state agriculture commissioner announced that the family farm is being
endangered by homosexuality. And a Baptist church ran in Charleston ran
a full-page ad last month urging homosexuals to be cured through Christianity"(Sue
Anne Pressley, November 4, 1998).
"Calling itself 'the world's most unusual university,' (Bob
Jones University) has never bowed to contemporary views of political correctness.
It was founded in 1926 in the Florida Panhandle by an evangelical preacher
of the same name - who was later succeeded as president by his son, Bob
J.r, and grandson, Bob III - and was moved here in 1946 after operating
in Tennessee for several years" (Sue Anne Pressley, November 4,
1998).
"In 1970, the school's ban on interracial dating prompted a
long battle with the Internal Revenue Service over its status as a tax-exempt
institution. But after a decision in favor of the IRS by the U.S. Supreme
Court, university officials still refused to back down and lift the ban,
and the university lost its tax-exempt status"(Sue Anne Pressley,
November 4, 1998).
"The school, which like any university offers degrees in accounting,
history and a range of subjects, is known today largely for its strict social
rules - including curfews, dress codes and chaperoned 'dating parlors.'
Although officials say the school has blacks among its estimated 5,000 students,
they have never been willing to say how many" (Sue Anne Pressley,
November 4, 1998).
"(Wayne) Mouritzen said he still considers himself a Christian,
no matter what officials at Bob Jones University may think. 'I still believe
the Bible to be an inspired book. I love the Scripture,' he said. 'The Bob
Jones letter also said, 'I need to get back to the Lord.' Well, I didn't
know I had to get back because he hasn't left me. If anything, I feel even
closer to him now'"(Sue Anne Pressley, November 4, 1998).
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