College employees must agree to no premarital or gay sex. No drinking where students might see them.
Shorter University employees must sign a Personal Statement agreeing to no premarital or gay sex or public drinking where students may see them. (Shorter College photo)
The AJC has been hearing from folks about Shorter University’s decision to require employees to sign a “Personal Lifestyle Statement” forbidding premarital sex, adultery and homosexual sex.
The Personal Statement also requires that employees be active members of a local church. And the employees must agree to not drink in public places where students may see them, including restaurants, concerts and sports events. Nor can they attend a Shorter function if they consumed alcohol six hours prior to the event.
As strict as these rules may be, the private Baptist college has a right to do impose them. I talked to AJC higher ed writer Laura Diamond who told me that a law professor who is an expert on religion explained that the policy is legal in Georgia and many other states.
(The school has had a policy since 2008 to hire Christians only who adhere to strict interpretations of the Bible.)
The policy does not impact students’ ability to get federal loans because the college serves as pass-through and the money belongs to the students not the college.
Its mission statements says: Shorter University is a Christ-centered liberal arts university dedicated to academic excellence within the context of a biblical worldview. As a Christian university, Shorter is committed to keeping an emphasis upon a biblically sound, integrated, faith-based education that promotes a zeal for academic, spiritual, and professional growth.
But not all alums of the college are happy with the new policy and are rising up in protest. There is now a petition to stop the policy.
Among the more than 1,331 alums who have signed the petition is one who wrote: “Both my wife and I are graduates from Shorter (2001). There was a time that I was proud to be a Shorter graduate. I definitely feel that I received a quality education. At the moment, I am embarrassed, and I am seriously considering mailing back my diploma.”
According to the AJC story on this issue:
Don Dowless, president of the Christian university in Rome, said anyone not signing the statement, which also requires staffers to reject premarital sex and adultery, faces termination.
“I think that anybody who adheres to a lifestyle that is outside of what the biblical mandate is and of what the board has passed, including the president, would not be allowed to continue here,” Dowless told Channel 2 Action News.
One person described as a longtime employee told GA Voice, a publication covering issues affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, that the new policy has some staffers fearful that a disgruntled co-worker could accuse another as being gay out of spite.
A student who didn’t want to be identified told Channel 2 that the university is judging others, contrary to what the Bible teaches.
New employees will have to sign the statement and existing employees will have to sign it to renew their contracts.
“Failure to adhere to this statement may result in disciplinary action against me, up to and including immediate termination,” the statement says.
Students, however, are not required to sign the policy.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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172 comments Add your comment
DannyX
October 29th, 2011
9:02 pm
jim what are your sins?
You too CJ.
“Judge not lest ye be judged?”
What are your sins that will annihilate society?
CJ
October 29th, 2011
9:04 pm
Dannyx– no, but he defined marriage…read Revelations 2:18-29…Jesus said some pretty hard things. He preached on hell over 16 times. If you truly seek the Lord, and stop mocking, He will show you Himself.
Archie@Arkham Asylum
October 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
The Southern Baptist Convention and its vassal the Georgia Baptist Convention, have redefined chutzpah!
Progressive Humanist
October 29th, 2011
9:26 pm
Ha! I think Shorter, which is a joke of a school anyway, might want to focus their efforts on improving their academics instead. Employers want college graduates to be educated; they’re not interested in how well indoctrinated they were into the Shorter cult or how well they were taught to conform to Medieval beliefs.
kc
October 29th, 2011
9:26 pm
What an embarassment. How anti-Christian can you get!!?? Jesus is rolling over in his grave, Shorter University. Shorter, you miss the point completely. Please take your hate elsewhere.
Digger
October 29th, 2011
9:38 pm
I still want one of them talkin’ snakes.
Sandy
October 29th, 2011
9:47 pm
Christianity is the rootnof all evil!
Beth
October 29th, 2011
9:48 pm
What you might want to check into, Maureen, is just how long Shorter has been “upfront about its deep beliefs — its motto is “Transforming Lives Through Christ.” How long has the school had that motto? What is going on in student life at the moment? Many of these students and employees “signed on” with Shorter long before these changes were made. I don’t think Shorter has been all that “upfront” about its “deep beliefs” because the ones being imposed on the current students and employees are not the same beliefs that the school has shared since the 1800s.
jim
October 29th, 2011
9:54 pm
Thou shall not lie with mankind as with womankind,…. By carnal knowledge of them, and carnal copulation with them, and mixing bodies in like manner: this is the sin commonly called sodomy, from the inhabitants of Sodom, greatly addicted to it, for which their city was destroyed by fire: those that are guilty of this sin, are, by the apostle, called “abusers of themselves with mankind”, 1 Corinthians 6:9,
jim
October 29th, 2011
9:55 pm
Beth..things do change for the better sometimes..students should be happy..or maybe they can just leave..they aren’t required to sign anything; only their leaders are.
Veteran teacher, 2
October 29th, 2011
9:57 pm
I worked for a while at a Christian college. The administrators almost always worked from “they said”, “I heard….”. Honest disagreements led them to tell you that you were unChristian, and God told them what to do, therefore you cannot disagree with them. The most illogical policies and proceedures were passed off as the word from God. Adminstrators turned people against each other and openly expected people to “report” on each other.
I found a much more Christian atmosphere when I moved back into a public high school!!
Albert
October 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
Conservative Christians and Islamic fundamentalists are two peas in the same disturbed pod.
GAE
October 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
@KC…Jesus is not in the grave. He arose with all power tin heaven and earth….(Matt. 28:18)..but you don’t have to believe that Scripture…..or nay for that matter. But don’t counter with the “Judge not….” scripture… if you don’t believe the Scriptures.
Zz top
October 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
Jesus just left Chicago bound for new Orleans.
Ole Guy
October 29th, 2011
10:38 pm
Who’n hell do these people think they are, architects of the Blessed Trinity? Next thing on their agenda: must have marriage license on file; use of approved condoms bearing school colors. It would make a helluva lot more sense if they made prospective employees agree not to speed, cuss or make frowny faces.
Some time ago, there appeared, in this fine discussion venue, an arguement on the foisting of religious dogma upon the public by way of holding graduation ceremonies in churches, interjecting prayers into the ceremony itself. Apparently, the religious right/the EXTREME right, will always be upon us. Like bad weather in aviation, one would be foolish to fly directly into the storm…one simply diverts around the obstacle. Are college administrators going to follow employees around during their PRIVATE OFF TIME?
say what?
October 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
Why are women working there outside of the home, if this university strictly adheres to the bible? Get a grip and stop taking a political stand and using religion as the reason.
I bet Shorter will have a an increase in applications and prospective students after this media story. Yep, the media subsidized Shorter’s marketing budget and helped in its recruiting efforts. Every parent who is afraid of the multi-cultural world in which we reside, is looking for this type of school.
Scott
October 29th, 2011
10:45 pm
Why is this even an issue? A Christian college is just telling its employees to act like Christians. If you don’t want to act like a Christian… don’t work for a Christian college. Duh?
Truth in Moderation
October 29th, 2011
10:57 pm
Well at least they didn’t ban pedophiles or polygamists.
There’s still hope.
Paddy O
October 30th, 2011
12:59 am
liberals really are full of bs.
Paddy O
October 30th, 2011
1:00 am
at one time, the heading on this article was assumed for the general population. but along came The Great Society, and the era of government largesse, and morals were flushed down the tube. The feds now generate far more poverty than they ever solve.
Rockerbabe
October 30th, 2011
2:28 am
I see another branch of the catholic church is at it again. . .trying to control the personal lives of adults is not any of the school’s business. The students should take their money and go elsewhere and the employees should leave when it is advantageous to do so. This policy is well unamerican and should be rejected.
another comment
October 30th, 2011
3:27 am
Rockerbabe, you are obviously not Catholic. I went to a Catholic University. They have had Gay and Lesbian clubs for Students since the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. Catholic’s have always been very open about drinking. You can always tell a Catholic in a liquour store they fill up the cart, and have a bar in open display at home. Baptists buy one bottle at a time, and keep it in a paper bag in the pantry. The Catholic University I attended had a Pub on Campus. The Highlight of Senior year was going on a bus trip then a booze cruise in Annapolis, MD. with the Priests as the Chaparones. The big joke was the Priests always drank right along with you.
To all you hypocrate “Christians”, yes Catholic’s are Christian. We are the original Christian religion that Jesus and the Apostles founded. All the rest of you are only break off splinters, that wanted to make up your own rules to suit your selfs. For Example, The King in England wanted to get Divorced and remarried, so he started the Church of England aka the Episcapalians. Then came Martin Luther and the Lutheren’s etc.
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
3:58 am
anothe comment makes no sense
Bosch
October 30th, 2011
4:07 am
I have several problems with such actions as this, but the main one is Shorter’s misguided attempt to define what all Christians believe or that if you do not agree with this pledge you are not “acting Christian.” I find it very unfortunate when bigots such as Mr. Price and Dowless use the Bible as justification of their own prejudice and as such try in vain to mask their own intolerance by invoking the name of God. The Bible says not to use the name of the Lord in vain, and this is a perfect example of doing just that.
Jack
October 30th, 2011
7:22 am
Mention religion in any public forum and you’ve got a firefight. Nobody wins.
Edward
October 30th, 2011
8:16 am
Shorter can do whatever they want. But, it does prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that religionists are irrational and just downright stupid. Better that they come right out and identify themselves to the rest of the world so we can know who they are and avoid them.
Batgirl
October 30th, 2011
9:06 am
So, will Shorter fire a 20-year, tenured professor because he/she won’t sign this piece of paper?
I would have not trouble meeting their requirements of this document, but I would be really offended by being asked to sign it.
I wonder if this is not just an attempt to get rid of a few people that the administration doesn’t want but cannot fire.
What a shame. Shorter is taking its reputation as a decent liberal arts college and throwing it down the drain.
Lee
October 30th, 2011
9:08 am
Let’s see, a PRIVATE university with a BAPTIST affiliation whose business directly involves molding the character of impressionable young adults wants to set the TONE AT THE TOP by requiring it’s employees to act a certain way.
One truism that I have learned over the years is that “He who signs the check gets to make the rules”.
While we may or may not agree with Shorter’s policy, the fact remains that they have a legal right to do so and they write the checks. Simply put, if you don’t want to abide by their policy, don’t apply for a job there. If they cannot get enough qualified applicants due to this policy, then they will have to amend their policies or go out of business.
It’s really that simple.
Karen
October 30th, 2011
9:24 am
I’m not sure why this is such news. Shorter is a self-described conservative Christian school. The statement they are asking employees to sign is in line with what the Christian church teaches. I would expect a Christian school to hire employees who are in agreement with these principles. Other Christian schools ask the same. If an individual has different beliefs, then that individual needs to find a school/employer that they are in agreement with.
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
9:35 am
rock on Karen!
Shar
October 30th, 2011
9:56 am
The question to me is who would send their children to a school that compresses and restricts their worldview rather than expanding it? Why would any parent choose a school that would reward professors for not drinking rather than for excellent teaching and scholarship? People who are attracted to teaching are almost always attracted to the open and free exchange of ideas, and in fact the rationale for tenure is to insulate the life of the mind from undue external influences that would seek to threaten intellectual freedom.
Shorter is not going to be able to attract top flight teachers, and this policy will serve to drive away those it already has. Asking parents or students to pay $18,000 per year in tuition and fees, with another $10,000 for room, board and books in exchange for professors who are either doctrinaire robots, intellectually incurious or too bad at what they do to get a job anywhere else is bound to limit their prospect pool.
Ole Guy
October 30th, 2011
9:57 am
Scott, there is no “Duh” here…the DOD/Department of Defense has civilian employees who have absolutely no connection to the military…I would hazzard a guess that there are liquor stores with employees who do not drink liquor…there are probably airline employees who do not care to fly; bus line employees who do not care to ride in buses…you getthe drift, Scott?
If anyone should be required to sign these agreements, it would be the students who, signified by their attendance, wish to conduct themselves under such restrictions. Given the apparent difficulty many seem to experience in securing employment, this requirement is nothing but an arm-twisting tactic designed to “convert” (what this school’s administration considers to be) “sinners” to the mores of Puritanical dogma. If this employment requirement were to be argued in court, I am quite certain it would be found to be in violation of some EEOC reg. These administrators, after all, are simple attempting to foist their beliefs upon others, and to employ that “my way or the highway” wedge as a means of forced morality.
There is no “duh” here, Scott…simply a despicable tactic to forceably “convert” others under the carrot of a job. As far as I’m concerned, these people can go to hell.
resno2
October 30th, 2011
9:58 am
If you don’t like it…. wait for it…. don’t go!
However, it does seem like an easy way to head off any absurd ‘Human Rights’ violation charges like those being leveled at Catholic University.
resno2
October 30th, 2011
10:03 am
Shar – if that’s what Shorter wants to do, why does anyone feel they have the need/right to stop them? It is a private institution. Big deal! They are not government funded and SHOULD be allowed to do business however they chose.
Aquagirl
October 30th, 2011
10:13 am
Can someone tell me when they hold their first slave auction? I need help with the housework.
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
10:17 am
Shar..you want your children to be protected from leaders who act like those in the boy scouts (see curent article on ajc.com). Being exposed to radicalism is a dangerous thing..Shorter is choosing to stand for something, which is a lot more than your secular, utopian society chooses to do. Homosexuality is a danger to the family in every aspect. Most christians are opposed to it. The Bible speaks against it. The school is espousing its values on its leaders. The students don’t take the pledge (although I think they should) and are free to work elsewhere if they don’t like it. Speaking against something doesn’t mean you’re a hater or a biggot..it just means you have the courage to stand against lifestyle issues that are reaming christian values. Go Shorter!
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
10:18 am
Aqua, if you need help with the housework, you should go hire an occupier..they strike me as conscientious and honest laborers
Inman Park Boy
October 30th, 2011
10:21 am
Like it or not, this is called sticking to one’s principles. It is a trait sadly lacking in most institutions today.
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
10:27 am
You know what strikes me as obvious is with all the dedicated leftists mentioning our multi-cultural society is that our “melting pot” ideal has melted into a society in which the majority feels like our founding principles (including freedom of religion and the acknowledgement of God by our leaders) are no longer to be followed because they may not “meld” with those of other cultures we have let into our country. I believe in multi-culturalism but I will always believe that if you come into our country you should have to respect the provisions that we were founded on. You don’t have to practice them, but don’t call me a hater for believing in them. By the way, separation of church and state doesn’t mean a government can’t utter the word “Jesus”, just that it can’t force any member of society to practice a particular religion (see Church of England as a reason for our original independence). Also, we weren’t founded on slavery, that was a mistake that our christian principles ultimately rectified (see Amazing Grace the movie for the true story behind abolition). You forget your founding values, you become a melted pot of goo which is subject to tyranny by radicals (many of whom lie in wait in places like this site).
Aquagirl
October 30th, 2011
10:43 am
this is called sticking to one’s principles.
I agree. Too many Baptists have strayed from their traditions, and they should drink their booze out of coffee cups just like grandpa and grandma.
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
10:46 am
Aquagirl…will pray for you. Make a case, or go back to your tent in the park and tell us we all need to provide for you
Aquagirl
October 30th, 2011
11:30 am
jimmie, reserve those prayers and a tent for yourself. Apparently the modern world frightens you, what with the womenfolk demanding adult treatment, non-Christians asserting their Constitutional rights, and scary folk everywhere.
If Shorter Cow College wants to obsess over sex and alcohol (obviously the only subjects addressed by the Bible) they’re free to do so. The rest of us are free to ignore them, like any other miniscule clot of control freaks who have 0% control over our lives–thank goodness.
anotherteacher
October 30th, 2011
11:34 am
When teachers have to listen to endless stories from co-workers about their sex lives, it is no wonder that this discussion is coming up. In addition, teachers have to see co-workers dress like skanks with heavy makeup, tight clothes and low cut blouses. But you better not gripe about it, lest you be seen as “not a team player”.
Whatever happened to just doing my job because I love it? Those days are gone.
anotherteacher
October 30th, 2011
11:35 am
filter
Maureen Downey
October 30th, 2011
11:36 am
@another. You’re out.
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
11:51 am
Aqua..modern world? If your definition of modern world is men having sex with men, women having sex with women, people deciding to mutilate themselves because they decide they were born the wring way, pedophiles being allowed to be boy scout leaders and complete moralless instructors being allowed to manipulate young minds and mindless drunk drivers only getting 5 years for causing the needless deaths of productive citizens (See christa the I’m going to serve you until youre a drunk menace and then I’m going to become a drunk menace myself) is your definition of modern society, then you’re darn right I’m going to do everything possible to shift the movement of modernism back to what worked…a god-minded society. I won;t cry when perverts are rooted out, when deviants are destroyed and the enemy is defeated..not one tear. I see what is destroying society and I want to see it destroyed.
Sam
October 30th, 2011
12:12 pm
I wonder if they serve bacon in their cheeseburgers at Shorter. How silly that they want to throw the first stone.
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
12:16 pm
Teacher..don’t know why you got kicked out but I agree with your premise..these folks who believe in a “destroy the concept of a family” world with their mindless (can you say STD and AID risk) sexual promiscuity (think Aqua would call that modern, although Aqua I do agree that AIDs is a modern epidemic..hmm, another advantage to your “modern” society??) are the ones teaching your adolescents??? Garbage taught = garbage minds is as much applicable in the classroom as in a computer. Once again, thank Gof for Shorter!! The majority of us with our votes can keep this tide turning in our society. Lets kick some godless liberal booty!!!
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
Actually, since I’m on the road, a double bacon cheeseburger with lots on non-vegan stuff piled on top sounds awesome right now. Thanks for the idea! And don’t forget, God gave man dominion over the earth, the fileds thereof and the fullness thereof. Enjoy the cow and the pig and the chicken and the goat..!!!
jimmie
October 30th, 2011
12:19 pm
And your opposite sex spouse in a meaningful, passionate, family oriented lovefest..the way God ordained it.