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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
(Colossians 4:6 ESV)
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I found this video and it is a must-share video. Here is a little blurb about Bob Jones University from the main website:
Located in Greenville, S.C., Bob Jones University is a biblically faithful, liberal arts university focused on educating the whole person to reflect and serve Christ. BJU offers a unique blend of rigorous academic programs, discipleship, and character and leadership development. We are committed to the truth of Scripture and to pursuing excellence in all we do.
Bob Jones University has a reputation for encouraging strong moral character and has strict guidelines for their students. I was surprised to see the student handbook was 64 pages! There are lots of rules. They take the rules/guidelines very seriously and here is why:
Bob Jones University is all about discipleship toward Christlikeness. Everything we do here—from academics to sports to society outings to prayer groups—is designed to help you develop Christlike character that is manifest in a scripturally disciplined life, in service to others and love for God in sharing the Gospel, and in biblical discernment of what counts for eternity.
From the University’s beginning in 1927, we’ve recognized the necessity of an edifying atmosphere on campus and an environment that promotes spiritual growth. We are obligated to you to do everything we can for your physical protection and your personal purity, growth and discipleship. We want every aspect of your experience here to invest in your long-term spiritual success. (Bob Jones University Handbook)
If a student does not abide by the rules, there is a demerit system in place:
Demerit System
BJU uses a demerit system to track disciplinary offenses. Minor offenses receive 1–25 demerits, while major offenses receive 50–150 demerits.
Here is what happens when a student accumulates demerits:
Did you notice that profanity is listed as a major offense? If a student used what they deem as profane language, they certainly could be placed on “disciplinary restriction.” They do not mess around, do they? I found a video from 1996 in which a BJU leader discusses inappropriate language. Yes, it’s old, but the same culture is there. I don’t have a problem with college leaders encouraging students to have good language, but I do have a problem when leaders spout off and don’t know what they are talking about. This is funny, yet I also find it troublesome for those students who may have someone like this guy determining what consists of profanity and what doesn’t. Have a listen:
Tony Miller, former Dean of Men at Bob Jones University, addresses the etymology of words in this HILARIOUS radio message.
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Spiritual Sounding Board 
Considering their racist past, my potty mouth is like choking on a gnat compared to the camel they have swallowed whole. But then again, I find all their rules to be petty and meaningless and don’t mind a few four letter words but the N-word isn’t spoken in our home even when discussing race dispassionately (like now when I couldn’t use it) because, why? Because the N-word hurts people and cusses merely offend.
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“Misues of media” — does that mean blogging criticism of BJU? Hmmmm….
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Their presentation of their motives is grand and noble, but all they really do is create an atmosphere of legalism and suspicion. There’s not a lot of room for grace and love when you dedicate huge chunks off your administration to making sure students toe the line.
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10 points from Griffendor for using any word other than darn or shoot. And, no using the word ass when referring to a donkey. That’s too close to the real “ass.”
“society outings” = mingling with the heathens. One must always present oneself in a way that reflects positively on the university.
I’m so glad that I chose Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University) when I was deciding on a school. I had a handful of midwest Bible colleges to choose from, but they all had dress codes and rules that I never had to abide by at home and they were all located in the middle of corn fields. Where I went to school, I had freedom – not even a curfew! The only rule was no opposite sex persons in the room, but there was open hall hours where we could sit in the hallway and talk to each other. Reasonable to me. And, lots of freedom!
I loved college – especially the faculties help for women who were pursuing a ministry degree. It wasn’t easy getting into churches to preach as a woman. In fact, I never did. But, the faculty tried hard to get churches to accept us few female ministry students.
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AnotherTom – I simply would not be a good fit for BJU. They’d probably sue me.
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Bob Jones University has a reputation as control freaks. And for a long time was the place of pilgrimage for GOP presidential candidates seeking Bob Jones’ blessing as Real True Christians/God’s Choice for President.
Opinemine: Have you ever heard Steve Taylor’s “We Don’t Need No Color Code”? Starts off like this:
“Way down Carolina way —
(Way down Carolina way!)
There’s this preacher called Bee Jay —
(There’s this preacher called Bee Jay!)
Bee Jay got himself a school —
(Bee Jay got himself a school!)
Founded on Caucasian Rule —
(Founded on Caucasian Rule!)
Bumper sticker on his Ford —
Honkies if you love the LOORD!”
Though nowadays ST’d have to specify which Bee Jay in the Dynasty — Bob Jones, Bob Jones Junior, or Bob Jones III, as BJU (and the blessing on the GOP presidential candidates) has been inherited from father to son for three generations.
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Julie Anne, I’d be worried about you if your were a good fit for BJU. 🙂
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I’m so glad that I chose Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University) when I was deciding on a school.
That the one just across Chapman from Cal State Fullerton?
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Kathi – Did you check out BJU’s dress code for women? It would have been much shorter if they would have written what women CAN wear.
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HUG – Yes, I went to PCC/Hope from 1987-1991. I worked there till we moved up to OR in 1998. I took a couple of classes at CSUF and did my masters at CSULB.
All of those rules would have driven me insane! Honestly, I just can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it was at 18 to be treated like an adult. All those rules do is prolong adolescence. It either produces young adults to want to do anything they can to break rules, or young adults who are unable to handle freedom once they leave their bubble.
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I went to my first chapel service in over 20 years today! Rachel Held Evans spoke at George Fox University. My husband works in Newberg, so he took the boy on as an “office assistant” while I went to hear her speak. She was great!
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That video sucked! 😉
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How fun, Kathi. Did you get a picture?
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No, I didn’t. I’m a bit “shy” when it comes to meeting people who are as well known as she is. Plus, I figure that it gets a bit overwhelming meeting people. I did “friend” her on FB and sent her a message, though.
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Why did the tape end so early? I kept saying, “please continue and finish your thought.”
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Tammy, I think you might get demerits for the use of the word “sucked” because it might infer oral sex.
Oh, the irony, every time I hear BJU, my mind goes where it shouldn’t.
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I have a list of relatives, including my mom and dad, who went to BJU. Did I go? Not on your life…… There was no way with my independent spirit that I would have made it a year. I ended up going to Harding University, which was a Church of Christ University. Good school; had rules but with balance.
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Why would it be thought strange or controlling that a “Christian” university would have a problem with the use of profanity or with immodesty? Not trying to defend BJU because they are definitely not my cup of tea since I don’t do well with the N____ word either.
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Wesley, did you watch the video? There was nothing wrong with the guy telling the students to watch their language, but he made himself to look like a fool when he was trying to give the definitions of the words. In several cases, he didn’t know how they were pronounced, in other cases, the definition he used was entirely correct. If you are a leader at a college trying to impress upon students justification for not using a particular language, you better have done your homework. It would be like trying to teach someone French, but instead using Italian words.
The video wasn’t about modesty, but I mentioned it because they go over the top on rules. College students are adults. They should be treated like adults. This is a super rigid and legalistic environment, IMHO, unbalanced.
Gentile, genteel, – and he never got genitalia – hahahahaha
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I understand your point that if someone is explaining a rule they should be able to articulate their point.
JA I was in an Army unit with female soldiers and we were reprimanded for using coarse language that was not even profanity when there were female soldiers present. It was in this unit that I was also required to remove our boots so they could make sure we had on green socks that would never be seen. I use this to illustrate that rules are inherent in any organization and are usually seen as restrictive because that is the purpose of rules.
My current place of employment has decided to go with a new dress code. As a part of management we HAVE TO WEAR blue jeans (which I never wear), a company supplied polo shirt (which I never wear), one of two style of boots, a company jacket, and the only approved hat is a baseball style cap (which I never wear though I wear a hat about 75-80% of the time). Would you say that is abusive, unbalanced, or over the top? I would because it does not conform to my taste in clothing but is it really? Probably not………..I am sure you get my point?
The Army parallel to BJU breaks down when one realizes that I volunteered to start without all the facts but could not just stop when I got those facts. The illustration of my current work situation also breaks down in that none of these stipulations were in place when I took the job almost 3 years ago and I cannot just leave without first securing another job because I have to provide for my family. BJU on the other hand discloses all this information up front and people are free to go or come without any substantial life-altering ramifications.
I have said all this to say that though I do not agree with most of what BJU stands for it may not be fair and just to BJU to demonize them for the same practices that are tolerated in the secular arena all the time. I had an accounting professor who would dismiss any student from his class that came to class and was not dress in appropriate business casual at a minimum and penalize them for attendance. Students complained but were always reminded that since they were enrolled in a business course the requirement was not over the top and that just as at work someone else would decide if their choice of attire was appropriate. So should we not show the same tolerance to BJU that we show to our secular employers and universities.
Now I know I am in trouble 🙂 for a university that would be the last one that I would ever recommend that someone attend.
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I hear what you are saying Wesley. Again, my main point of the video was the dude didn’t know what he was talking about. You are a parent, you wouldn’t give your kids a bogus response, when trying to explain your reasoning, right? If you have rules, do you twist your words to try to justify them? Probably not. This is an institute of higher learning – we should expect more from those leaders.
And the other point that I did not elaborate on is that if these so-called leaders don’t even understand what the words mean themselves, do you see how they could ASSume what a word means and put a student on discipline? It’s a judgment call for those leaders and someone could really get penalized for saying something that really wasn’t profane or even off.
I think there is a better way to have a healthy balance.
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I got you JA. It would be a terrible shame to be expelled for calling someone a gentleman or using ASSume with the emphasis in the wrong place………LOL.
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Ok, with that comment, Wesley – – you are officially cool 😉
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I will never forget a time that we pulled into Subic Bay (one of so many times). The Uniform of the Day on board for enlisted was dungarees, with the dixie cup cover. No problem. Medical Dept set up an appointment for me on the base. I left the ship on foot with my medical record in hand. I was about 1/2 way to the medical clinic when I was picked up by the base security. What was the charge, you might ask? Wearing a sailor’s dixie cup cover. The base had a rule that no one is authorized to wear that part of the uniform, unless you were in dress uniform. The uniform of the day for the base was a ball cap. So, I got taken to the base security, and I had to have my supervisor pick me up, and I missed my medical appointment. Rules…rules are rules, right? Ya, right (sarcasm).
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I see the Army and Navy have much in common. My funniest now but irritating one then was being reprimanded by a lieutenant (O-2 in know navy rank titles are way different) because my name tag of all things was wrong. He could not grasp that my last name was “Roy”. Even with my ID it took about 30 minutes and a total loss of military bearing to get away from that guy………LOL.
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Wesley, Lieutenant is 0-3, Lieutenant Junior Grade is 0-2
signed, former Navy wife (haha)
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I knew there was a difference O-3 for us is Captain. You would think they could have used the same designations for all of the officers since they use the same insignia. But that would be too easy and remove a perfectly good reason to make privates do push-ups in basic 🙂 .
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I got to learn both ranks because at our first duty station (Clark Air Base – Philippines) we were a small contingent of Navy stationed at an Air Force base.
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Wesley, that’s what we call military intelligence 🙂
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I’m a grad (1996). Although, I am always quick to add I went there for film school. I knew what I was getting into before I went, so I got through unscathed.
This is a recording from a hall meeting, not a radio broadcast. We all had to sit in the halls and listen to a recording by our respective dean of women/men. The boys and girls got different messages. Of course, the shafted and wus comments were the source of much laughter after this. The hall meeting recording I remember most was when they wanted us to stop laughiing like Beavis and Butthead. Only, the dean of women pronounced it (in her sweet and gentle voice) Bevis and Bu-thed. And, of course, the hall erupted in heh-heh. Heh-heh.
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kbonikowsy – welcome! And thanks for sharing your eye-witness testimony of this great event – lol! What a great story.
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I went to a school in the same vein as BJU, though in competition, spiritually. The focus on the rules always took us way off what the focus of the school was supposed to be. I guess they thought if they could micromanage all the outward behaviors it would point our hearts in the right direction. Unfortunately, it just made many more adept at duplicity.
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This is the same university that only starting black students in the 70s, and even more startling, only stopped their ban on interracial dating in 2000. Yes, 13 years ago. Pretty sure if there was a system of demerits in God’s economy (which there isn’t for those who are free in Christ!), systemic racism would be worth a tad more demerits than those listed above.
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HUG – Yes, I went to PCC/Hope from 1987-1991. I worked there till we moved up to OR in 1998. I took a couple of classes at CSUF and did my masters at CSULB. — Kathy
I know of the CSUF area because I used to play D&D there from 1976 to 1980. Every Saturday, third floor Langsdorf Hall, just as you get off the elevators.
All those rules do is prolong adolescence. It either produces young adults to want to do anything they can to break rules, or young adults who are unable to handle freedom once they leave their bubble. — Kathy
Or they double down and completely back The System.
Kind of like the two ways a preacher’s kid can crack up — total rebellion or total submission. Marilyn Manson or Fred Phelps, nothing in-between.
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Everything I’ve read on BJU suggests that it is a very legalistic school. A pastor at a church I attended for a while, used them as an example of legalism while preaching through the book of Galatians (if you don’t know, the entire book of Galatians is written to condemn legalism). He didn’t mention the school by name, but he did read off several of the rules of the school. I had read about BJU before, and knew exactly what school he was talking about as the rules were the same.
They even go so far as to say that many contemporary Christian and Christian rock bands are not ok, i.e., if you are caught with a Skillet CD, you’ll be in trouble.
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Yes, they certainly have a history of legalism. What a shame.
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