Whoops, these Christians do NOT like Bush.

FYI....This is from an E-Mail

POMP AND POLITICS IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN: Bush visit brings controversy
Students and faculty to protest Christian school's commencement speaker

May 19, 2005

BY KATHLEEN GRAY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


Calvin College may be predominantly Republican, but a visit from
President George W. Bush on Saturday is stirring up some discontent
among students, faculty and alumni.

One-third of the faculty members have signed a letter of protest that
will appear in a half-page ad in the Grand Rapids Press on Saturday,
the day Bush is to deliver the commencement address to 900 graduating
seniors at Calvin. The ad cost $2,600.

"As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and to initiate war
only as a last resort," the letter says. "We believe your
administration has launched an unjust and unjustified war in Iraq."

More than 800 students, faculty and alumni also have signed a letter
protesting Bush's visit that will appear Friday as a full-page ad in
the Grand Rapids paper. The ad cost more than $9,500.

"We are alumni, students, faculty and friends of Calvin College who
are deeply troubled that you will be the commencement speaker at
Calvin," the letter states. "In our view, the policies and actions of
your administration, both domestically and internationally over the
past four years, violate many deeply held principles of Calvin
College."

And about 100 students are expected to adorn their graduation gowns
with armbands and buttons bearing the slogan: "God is not a
Republican or Democrat."

"I'm definitely worried about a Christian school being affiliated
with the Christian right," said Elise Elzinga, a 22-year-old
Lambertville resident who will graduate Saturday with a degree in
political science and international relations.

Elzinga sometimes has felt isolated during her years at Calvin
because of her views. She volunteered for Sen. John Kerry's
presidential campaign last year. In a poll before the 2004 elections,
80 percent of Calvin's student body said they planned to vote for
Bush.

But the visit from Bush also has aroused alumni and faculty.

David Crump, a professor of religion at the college for the past
eight years, said even though he's not scheduled to get tenure until
this summer, he felt he had to speak out.

"The largest part of our concern is the way in which our religious
discourse in this country has largely been co-opted by the religious
right and their wholesale endorsement of this administration," he
said.

Others said they're concerned that the Bush speech will politicize the event.

"I can see that the Bush administration is gaining capital from this
appearance, but I don't see what it does for Calvin," said Dale Van
Kley, who was a history professor at Calvin for 28 years before he
joined the staff at Ohio State University in 1998.

"What it will mean for the students is that they will be objects of a
kind of campaign appearance."


Contact KATHLEEN GRAY at 248-351-3298 or gray@freepress.com.

RELATED CONTENT
* Calvin College's claims to fame


AT A GLANCE...
History: Established in 1876 by the Christian Reformed Church in
Grand Rapids, primarily as a training ground for future ministers.
First 4-year degree was given in 1921.

Today: Offers more than 100 programs ranging from English to Asian studies.

Enrollment: 4,186, including 900 graduating seniors.

Sports: Calvin College Knights compete in 17 sports, including
cross-country, where runners won the Division III national title last
year.

Common sights: Daily and Sunday worship services, spiritual
counselors in every dorm.

Notable alumni: Betsy DeVos, former chairman of the Michigan
Republican Party; Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel, founders of
Alticor, the successor to Amway Corp.; U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers,
R-Mich.; philosopher Alvin Plantinga; U.S. District Judge John
Feikens.

His treatment of them showed how "Christian" the Koolaid drinkers really are. (If you don't like Chimperor, it doesn't matter if you love Jesus.)

I thought it was good for a re-run though. After all, it is not very often that Christians are quoted as being anti-war or anti-bush.

I think this change is more than refreshing. I believe it is significant.

on her webpage. Hannity is a total prick.

One-third is practically a tidal wave of opposition. I'd expect in excess of 90% at someplace like UC Berkeley or Reed College, but a full third at Calvin is incredible. Bush has definitely honked them off.

This LBN topic:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1478920

and this one (mine) from GD:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3693199


and this one from GD: Politics:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1791752

of reading the article this way. Evidently, only a hand full of people got a chance to see it before.

Yes, you're right. And I think we've all linked to different articles anyway, so it's all good.

is speaking at Calvin College?

Whew, that was a good one.

There goes chimpy again, creating controversy by going to a mostly all Democratic event, attended by selected Democrats and speaking truthfully on all sorts of problems.:sarcasm:

despise Bush and want him to stop taking the name of their savior in vain to push programs to rob the poor, fatten the rich, and kill people in other countries.