Baylor University takes a step backward in refusing a grant from the Baugh Foundation

[lees1975]

https://baptiststandard.com/opinion/voices/voices-when-the-ones-you-love-get-it-wrong/

Baylor's approach to the Christian influence that is part of its core identity is almost the exact opposite of Liberty University, the other large Baptist university in the United States. Liberty uses rules to dictate the behavior that it believes reflects Christian values, forcing students to comply to a uniform set of behaviors that university leaders have determined are necessary signs of being "Christian."

According to the author of the linked article, Chris Seay, pastor of Ecclesia, which I would describe as a very progressive, conscience-driven church highly successful at attracting millennials to its membership, and also a Baylor alum, Baylor is one of the few Christian universities that takes a completely different approach.

"It's one of the few Christian universities that doesn't lead with fear or rigidity," he says. "It's not like most Bible colleges, where everything is a rule, and every rule is a dare. When something is off limits, young people will run straight at it," he added.

"At Baylor, faith isn't enforced through shame," he says. "It's lived out in a culture of trust, curiosity and grace. And what I've always loved is that Baylor never seemed afraid of science," he said.

The disappointing step that Baylor recently made was in rescinding a grant from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation for the purpose of funding research into "how religious communities--often unknowingly--have contributed to mental health struggles among LGBTQ+ individuals and how churches can play a role in healing, rather than harming." The grant was for research to be conducted by the Diana Garland School of Social Work at the university.

As the author of the linked article states, this is not some progressive campaign. "It was pastoral. It was humble. It was meant to help."

[rsdsharp]

1. I thought it might be Sammy Baugh, but he went to TCU.

[lees1975]

2. John Baugh was the founder of Sysco Foods. A generous multi-billionaire.

Very generous, very progressive, very Democrat.

[Skittles]

3. if you want real life and real growth

ditch religion

[lees1975]

4. I'd say, use your intellect and reason to figure it out, and

don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Name a value of life and growth that is not Christian in its origin in this society. Just one. The faith I practice values simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship (which includes both environmental value and trust, and social justice) These are all part of real life and growth. It also values individual conscience and the value of human reason and intellect, and does not demand, or even require adherence to a particular belief in God's identity.

Ditching toxic religion, of course.

[Skittles]

5. religion is NOT required to be a decent person

how about just doing the right thing without expecting some kind of reward in the end? IMAGINE THAT.