In todays 'the sun' - Christian Union to be banned?

[Brighton Breezy]

We do not believe this

Students ... faithful followers

By ALASTAIR TAYLOR

BARMY students are set to ban a Christian club — unless it allows non- believers to help run it.

Students’ Union officials at Hull University are demanding that the society is open to all, including atheists and members of other faiths.

But furious organisers of the Christian Union say the rule could lead to non-believers being in charge.

The group welcomes anybody to meetings but insists committee members are followers of God.

They were stunned to be told they were breaking equal opportunities rules — and must sever ties with the Students’ Union.

Vice president Simon Livesey stormed: “It is political correctness gone mad.

“This involves our freedom and ability to follow our faith properly. In order to follow a faith properly the leadership needs to be Christian.”

And Colin Hart of the Christian Institute, which is backing the Christian Union, said: “It is completely crazy.

“It is totally intolerant of the right of students to associate with like-minded people.”

Students’ Union secretary Kieron Broadhead said all its societies MUST be inclusive.

He added: “Jewish and Islamic societies abide by the same rules.”

The Students’ Union Council has voted overwhelmingly not to ratify the Christians’ constitution because it breaches “equality of opportunity relating to societies”.

A spokesman added: “The Students’ Union has clear rules by which all societies functioning under its umbrella must abide and the Christian Union is no exception.”

Both groups are now seeking legal advice.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Just to add, I go to Hull uni and the main objection here is that the society should not be funded by all students, if only a few are allowed to join.
The doctrine they want people to sign it very heavy as well, including things along the lines of:
"i accept that since the fall of man we are all going to be judged and the sinners will burn in the pits of hell"

 

[aftershavedave]

Just to add, I go to Hull uni and the main objection here is that the society should not be funded by all students, if only a few are allowed to join.
The doctrine they want people to sign it very heavy as well, including things along the lines of:
"i accept that since the fall of man we are all going to be judged and the sinners will burn in the pits of hell"

sounds to me as if the studes have got it right...if it's not inclusive, why fund it?

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Exactly.

 

[DTES]

Something similar happened here in Southampton. It wasn't the Christian Union, but the Liberal Democrat Society. Many outsiders joined, enough to form a majority, then voted to close the society anyway...

Sorry - edited, it wasn't a religous one at all.

 

[Seagull over NZ]

Just to add, I go to Hull uni and the main objection here is that the society should not be funded by all students, if only a few are allowed to join.
The doctrine they want people to sign it very heavy as well, including things along the lines of:
"i accept that since the fall of man we are all going to be judged and the sinners will burn in the pits of hell"

I'm sorry Richie - show me the doctrine that says that. Can't believe it. Either an Aprils Fool or you are exaggerating it.

When I was at Southampton Uni our Christian Union had similar problems so we just didn't get any SU funding. Its ridiculous that anyone who is not sympathetic to the aims of the CU should lead the organisation - just political correctness gone crazy.

They are not stopped from going and being part of it, just not running it. Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[DTES]

When I was at Southampton Uni our Christian Union had similar problems so we just didn't get any SU funding. Its ridiculous that anyone who is not sympathetic to the aims of the CU should lead the organisation - just political correctness gone crazy.

When was this SoNZ? The CU here now is completely nuts. I have no problems with Christians, or them having a Union, they can feel free to practice how they believe. But recently they have become completely forceful in their approach to it. I know several people who have been told to join and "be saved" or "suffer the consequences". And this was in the middle of the day, in the middle of the student union.

As I said, I have no problems with Christians, but please don't force it on other people...

 

[Seagull over NZ]

DTES - was 91-94 and back then we certainly didn't go round saying things like that.

As a Christian I wouldn't ever judge someone else by saying things like that although I believe in it strongly such that I would encourage others to search it out. Unfortunately an element of Christians take it too far and don't think about what they are saying.

Things like that just don't work in a PC world like the UK. Interestingly enough, if you were in Africa you often hear the church evangelising along thos elines and the church is growing hugely.

 

[DTES]

Unfortunately an element of Christians take it too far and don't think about what they are saying.

Yes, I realise it's a minority, but they do give the Union a bad name unfortunately.

 

[beorhthelm]

I imagine this sort of issue gets raised at every uni due to the nature of the funding for Students Unions. i was at Southbank and involved with the SU, every club/society had to have a constitution that stated it was inclusive and free to all students to join.

Normally the club just goes ahead with this knowing that no-one out side the Cristian Union/Conservatives/Sikh/LGB/Sociallist Worker or whatever group, will cares and will ignore this. But these people decided to shout about something that doent matter from the roof tops, so now every bugger will want to join just as a windup.

I know i would.

 

[the full harris]

small. but obvious point. why would an atheist want to run the christian union anyway?!

 

[berkshire seagull]

I work for a small christian family buisness and have to shave more,but at least they don't work weekends

 

[goldstone]

DTES - was 91-94 and back then we certainly didn't go round saying things like that.

As a Christian .....

You really do have my sympathy, but there is hope. There is another way. There are people out there who can cure you of your Christianity. It's quite painless. It frees up Sundays and you no longer have to go around feeling that you're a sinner. It really helps to lighten you up if you drop religion.

 

[Hart's mistress]

I'm sorry Richie - show me the doctrine that says that. Can't believe it. Either an Aprils Fool or you are exaggerating it.

When I was at Southampton Uni our Christian Union had similar problems so we just didn't get any SU funding. Its ridiculous that anyone who is not sympathetic to the aims of the CU should lead the organisation - just political correctness gone crazy.

They are not stopped from going and being part of it, just not running it. Makes perfect sense to me.

Totally agree with this.

I am a bit confused as to why there are both people complaining about not being able to be a leader, therefore that it's not inclusive, and at the same time people don't like Christians telling them about their faith, so therefore would not want to go to the CU anyway. Which one is it?!

There is no way that a CU would not want non-believers there. It has already been said here that sometimes Christians are too ready to tell others about it. They'd just rather non-believers didn't lead it because chances are they don't understand it so would probably not be able to do it very well. Would you see a ballet dancer leading a wrestling society?

 

[Juan Albion]

you no longer have to go around feeling that you're a sinner. It really helps to lighten you up if you drop religion.

Sorry, mate, but that suggests you are badly informed on this matter. One of the main points of Christianity is that we believe our sins are forgiven - hence not a burden at all.

 

[goldstone]

Sorry, mate, but that suggests you are badly informed on this matter. One of the main points of Christianity is that we believe our sins are forgiven - hence not a burden at all.

Oh, I geddit. Christians do a lot of sins because they know they're going to be forgiven.

Me, I'm an atheist and I try to live a decent life (no sinning if I can help it) and I take responsibility for my own actions. No god to forgive me so I'd best behave.

Strange folks you christians.

 

[Juan Albion]

Oh, I geddit. Christians do a lot of sins because they know they're going to be forgiven.

No, obviously go don't get it.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Too much relgion creeping into the run up to Easter. Best nip it in the bud now before it starts to take hold....

 

[Juan Albion]

Too much relgion creeping into the run up to Easter. Best nip it in the bud now before it starts to take hold....

Good move...

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I always liked the story about the Jesuit plans for converting China to Christianity back in the sixteenth century. They'd worked out that Chinese culture placed great emphasis on the importance of not losing face. Obviously this meant that the Chinese wouldn't be impressed by the fact that Christ had been crucified.

So the Jesuit missionaries took a perfectly rational decision ... convert the Chinese to Christianity, but don't tell them about the crucifixion.

Maybe the Christian Union needs to take the same approach - recruit as many members as possible, but don't mention religion.