Why, yup, I attended B.J. University!
Apr. 19th, 2005 01:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missroseroseWell, I think I've finally figured out where Christian fundies come from...
Bob Jones University.
The student expectations are so bloody strict it's no wonder there are college graduates out there who are so out of touch with reality. I mean, honestly, if you let kids have absolutely no experience with the outside world, then what are you teaching them in terms of survival skills? (Oh, right, they're not sheltering the students, they're "promoting holy living by removing as much as possible the influences of worldliness and evil from a student's life while he learns to walk in the Spirit.")
Some highlights:
--All chapels and classes are required, as are weekly society meetings, Sunday school, vespers, artist series programs, and Bible Conference services. (Probably a good thing I don't go there, given my general distaste for school-organized activities...)
--Dishonesty, "sensual behavior", homosexuality, "sexual perversion of any kind" (wonder if that includes masturbation?), gambling, dancing (??!!), and "beverage use of alcohol" are all strictly prohibited. (I'm honestly kind of curious as to what that second category covers.)
--When working in town, freshmen must have a prayer captain, assistant prayer captain, or upperclassman with them.
--"Abercrombie & Fitch and its subsidiary Hollister have shown an unusual degree of antagonism to the name of Christ and an unusual display of wickedness in their promotions. In protest, we will not allow articles displaying their logos to be worn, carried or displayed even if covered or masked in some way."
--(For women:) "All dresses, skirts, pants, and shirts must be loose-fitting, having a minimum of three inches of ease at bust and hips. Necklines may not be more than four fingers beneath the collarbone. Hairstyles should be neat, orderly, and feminine. Avoid cutting-edge fads and cuts so short they take on a masculine look."
--Students are only allowed to use the school's filtered email system.
--Wireless internet is forbidden since all internet access must go through the school's filters.
--No new age, jazz, rock, country, or contemporary christian music. (So gangsta rap is okay?)
--"You may not possess or play computer and video games rated T, M or A or having elements of blood and gore, sensual or demonic themes, or featuring suggestive dress, bad language, or rock music." (Wow...I think they just covered the entire game market right there.)
--"Residence hall students may not watch videos above a G rating when visiting homes in town {DVD players aren't allowed in the dorms} and may not attend movie theatres. (Even Brigham Young University allows PG-13 movies, I believe...feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, Adam.)
Wow...I'm finally beginning to see how people my age can believe in things that simply aren't true (and not believe in things that are obvious to anyone with half a brain). If everyone around you is telling you what to believe, then it'd be rather hard not to do so, especially if you have no other frame of reference.
Oddly enough, I'm actually finding myself somewhat tempted to apply. I've always had a morbid fascination with the uber-conservative sect, and it'd be an interesting chance to observe their lifestyle firsthand. I'm not sure I'd get in if I told the absolute truth (among the required questions on the application are "Have you ever consumed alcoholic beverages?", your father's mailing address, and three recommendations, one of which is supposed to be your pastor), but if I fudged it a bit I could probably get in. It'd be a bit of an experience, that's for sure - both to see if I could fit in, and to see if I could keep my sanity. I think I could do it, but with filtered computer use and regular room inspections (which I'm sure includes looking through students' belongings if they're not there) I wouldn't really have any sort of outlet. Though it would be kind of interesting if I were able to keep some sort of journal about it...the whole insiders' look, and all.
Ah, well. I can't really afford it anyway ($12,000+ for a year's tuition/board) but it's fun to think about.
Bob Jones University.
The student expectations are so bloody strict it's no wonder there are college graduates out there who are so out of touch with reality. I mean, honestly, if you let kids have absolutely no experience with the outside world, then what are you teaching them in terms of survival skills? (Oh, right, they're not sheltering the students, they're "promoting holy living by removing as much as possible the influences of worldliness and evil from a student's life while he learns to walk in the Spirit.")
Some highlights:
--All chapels and classes are required, as are weekly society meetings, Sunday school, vespers, artist series programs, and Bible Conference services. (Probably a good thing I don't go there, given my general distaste for school-organized activities...)
--Dishonesty, "sensual behavior", homosexuality, "sexual perversion of any kind" (wonder if that includes masturbation?), gambling, dancing (??!!), and "beverage use of alcohol" are all strictly prohibited. (I'm honestly kind of curious as to what that second category covers.)
--When working in town, freshmen must have a prayer captain, assistant prayer captain, or upperclassman with them.
--"Abercrombie & Fitch and its subsidiary Hollister have shown an unusual degree of antagonism to the name of Christ and an unusual display of wickedness in their promotions. In protest, we will not allow articles displaying their logos to be worn, carried or displayed even if covered or masked in some way."
--(For women:) "All dresses, skirts, pants, and shirts must be loose-fitting, having a minimum of three inches of ease at bust and hips. Necklines may not be more than four fingers beneath the collarbone. Hairstyles should be neat, orderly, and feminine. Avoid cutting-edge fads and cuts so short they take on a masculine look."
--Students are only allowed to use the school's filtered email system.
--Wireless internet is forbidden since all internet access must go through the school's filters.
--No new age, jazz, rock, country, or contemporary christian music. (So gangsta rap is okay?)
--"You may not possess or play computer and video games rated T, M or A or having elements of blood and gore, sensual or demonic themes, or featuring suggestive dress, bad language, or rock music." (Wow...I think they just covered the entire game market right there.)
--"Residence hall students may not watch videos above a G rating when visiting homes in town {DVD players aren't allowed in the dorms} and may not attend movie theatres. (Even Brigham Young University allows PG-13 movies, I believe...feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, Adam.)
Wow...I'm finally beginning to see how people my age can believe in things that simply aren't true (and not believe in things that are obvious to anyone with half a brain). If everyone around you is telling you what to believe, then it'd be rather hard not to do so, especially if you have no other frame of reference.
Oddly enough, I'm actually finding myself somewhat tempted to apply. I've always had a morbid fascination with the uber-conservative sect, and it'd be an interesting chance to observe their lifestyle firsthand. I'm not sure I'd get in if I told the absolute truth (among the required questions on the application are "Have you ever consumed alcoholic beverages?", your father's mailing address, and three recommendations, one of which is supposed to be your pastor), but if I fudged it a bit I could probably get in. It'd be a bit of an experience, that's for sure - both to see if I could fit in, and to see if I could keep my sanity. I think I could do it, but with filtered computer use and regular room inspections (which I'm sure includes looking through students' belongings if they're not there) I wouldn't really have any sort of outlet. Though it would be kind of interesting if I were able to keep some sort of journal about it...the whole insiders' look, and all.
Ah, well. I can't really afford it anyway ($12,000+ for a year's tuition/board) but it's fun to think about.
