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Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Things Get Complicated at Wilfred Laurier University

 
Some of you will recall the issue. The Laurier Freethought Alliance applied for club status at Wilfred Laurier University but they were turned down by the Campus Clubs Office [Bigots at Wilfrid Laurier University]. In case you've forgotten the reason, here's what the Campus Clubs Office said in rejecting the application.
While the Campus Clubs department understands the goals and visions of your organization, they are not compatible with the guidelines of what may be approved and incorporated into our department. While the promotion of reason, science and freedom of inquiry are perfectly legitimate goals, what is most in question in regards to your club's vision is the promotion of "a fulfilling life without religion and superstition". While this university is indeed technically a secular institution, secular does not denote taking an active stance in opposition to the principles and status of religious beliefs and practices. To be clear, this is not meant to say that the promotion of science and reason are illegitimate goals. But due to the need to respect and tolerate the views of others, the Campus Clubs department is unable to approve a club of this nature at this time. If you wish to adjust and rethink your club's application and vision, you may resubmit a revised proposal at any time.
This is political correctness taken to absurd lengths. I very much doubt that the same criteria are applied to religious clubs at Wilfred University.

Can you imagine a Christian club being denied status because they promote, "a fulfilling life by following the teachings of Jesus Christ"? The Laurier Freethought Alliance is promoting the idea that you have have a fulfulling life without Jesus of any other God. What's wrong with that?

Anyway, the response of the atheist community took the Campus Clubs Office by surprise and they are now stuggling to cover their asses rear ends. You can read the response on Anatoly Venovcev's blog [Eye of the Hurricane].

Anatoly wants everyone to calm down and stop pointing out the obvious to the powers that be at Wilfred Laurier. The Laurier Freethought Alliance wants to negotiate a way out of this problem and the publicity isn't helping right now.

That's a bit naive. The cat is out of the bag. Now is the time for the Laurier Freethought Alliance to stand firm and not bow to pressure from the Campus Clubs to change their true mission.


[Hat Tip: The Frame Problem]

7 comments :

Anonymous said...

The reason they were denied was the fact that they did not meet the criteria of the department. It had noting to do with the club's ideas, morals, ethics, or otherwise. It had to do with policy and procedure. Any proposed club that does not meet these requirements is not approved and offered advice on ways to improve and encouraged to reapply with a revised submission

John Pieret said...

The email from the Counsels representative said:

If your club's proposal and goals were to be revised to include only the promotion of your own beliefs, instead of the active promotion of living life "without religion", then your club's proposal would pose no problem as I see it.

Am I missing something about the purpose of this club? Otherwise, this is bizarre. How could you have an atheist/freethought club without promoting a life without religion? Conversely, how could you have a religious club without promoting a life without atheism/agnosticism/etc.?

I had assumed that the problem was the implicit equation of religion with "superstition" (yes, I know Larry), which could pose a potential problem with Canada's anti-hate-speech laws, that was driving this but they actually appear to be denying that atheists/freethinkers have a right to a club.

Would you guys like to borrow the ACLU?

Anonymous said...

Quoting Anatoly and Tyler (VP and Pres of LFA) on LFA’s facebook group. After posting the Mohammed cartoon, the following comments were posted as well. (spelling mistakes left in for accuracy)

Anatoly: “That’s the one of the ‘infamous’ Muhammad cartoons! Sweeeeet.”

Tyler: “should i take it down? … i’m scared now”

Anatoly: “Yes Tyler, I’d suicide bomb your ass if it wasnt for the shortage of virgins”

Anonymous said...

Quoting Anatoly and Tyler (VP and Pres of LFA) on LFA’s facebook group. After posting the Mohammed cartoon, the following comments were posted as well. (spelling mistakes left in for accuracy)

Anatoly: “That’s the one of the ‘infamous’ Muhammad cartoons! Sweeeeet.”

Tyler: “should i take it down? … i’m scared now”

Anatoly: “Yes Tyler, I’d suicide bomb your ass if it wasnt for the shortage of virgins”

John Pieret said...

Quoting Anatoly and Tyler (VP and Pres of LFA) on LFA’s facebook group.

And? ...

Anonymous said...

http://www.cordweekly.com/cordweekly/myweb.php?hls=10034&news_id=1443

Anonymous said...

Atheist club wins official status