Jerry Falwell's Fundamentalist Liberty University Still Getting Hundreds of Millions in Federal Aid
Bruce Wilson printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Thu Oct 17, 2013 at 08:59:47 PM EST
In 2010, Liberty University got more federal funding than the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

In a 2011 Talk To Action story, contributor Bill Berkowitz covered the new trend in which right-wing evangelical colleges and universities were vacuuming up federal dollars. Berkowitz focused on the late-Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, which promotes Young-Earth creationism.
Wrote Berkowitz,

""I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won't have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!" - The Rev. Jerry Falwell, America Can Be Saved

This year, the fortieth anniversary of Liberty University, Rev. Falwell's dream -- now being looked after by his son Jerry Jr. -- has become a reality thanks in large part to America's taxpayers.

Founded by Falwell in 1971, Liberty University, which according to its website is "the largest and fastest growing Christian Evangelical university in the world" and "the largest private university in Virginia," is "celebrating 40 Years of Training Champions for Christ."

Liberty U. receives massive government aid

During the last fiscal year alone, Liberty received about $445 million in federal financial aid money, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Over the past few years, Liberty University has raked in so much taxpayer money from the federal government that is now ranked among the top ten universities in the United States receiving federal dollars. It is also Virginia's top recipient of federal money.

In a 2009 piece for RH Reality Check titled "Why is the Federal Government Supporting Evangelism?", Eleanor J. Bader pointed out that LU's [Jesse] Helms School of Government "crows that it turns out 'Christ-centered leaders, able to apply God's word in every area of life.' What's more, LU's webpage showcases its mission, promising students an 'action-oriented curriculum dedicated to world evangelism and repudiation of political correctness.'

"Not sure what that means? The site explains: 'A strong commitment to political conservatism, total rejection of socialism, and firm support for America's economic system of free enterprise.'"

Since it doesn't get much more religiously oriented than Liberty University, a fair question to ask is: Should a private sectarian institution be receiving federal funds?"


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Jerry Falwell's Fundamentalist Liberty University Still Getting Hundreds of Millions in Federal Aid | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)
curious (none / 0)
I'm curious as to what percentage of the federal funds received by LU are direct grants (for research, I presume? building projects?) and how much is in the form of scholarship money to students. It seems to me that the latter would be harder to control than the former.

by MLouise on Thu Oct 17, 2013 at 11:12:56 PM EST

Re: federal funding (none / 0)
Christians who specialize in evangelism are often known as evangelists and he promotes the use of knowledge through talks, articles, user and recorded demonstrations, or the creation of sample products. They may also be found preaching to great meetings or in governance role.   
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by rosemary on Mon Mar 28, 2016 at 07:59:56 AM EST

great (none / 0)
I really did not understand to why he said "has become a reality thanks in large part to America's taxpayers." What exactly did he try to convey on saying something like this. It really confused me with my thoughts too.