I hate it when organizations cave to the tactics of the left, especially when those organizations are on the right.
In this case it’s a Christian college in Arizona that, even after admitting they mostly agree with Ben Shapiro, have banned him for being divisive:
CBN NEWS – Grand Canyon University, one of the nation’s most prominent Christian schools, is under fire for blocking conservative commentator Ben Shapiro from giving a speech on campus.
Shapiro, editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire and host of The Ben Shapiro Show, was invited by the campus group Young Americans for Freedom to speak at the Arizona-based school.
Shapiro is regularly invited to college campuses to advocate for Judeo-Christian and conservative values.
However, according to a statement released Friday by GCU, Shapiro is not allowed to speak there because it would erode the school’s “unique and united community.”
“We believe in many of the things that Ben Shapiro speaks about and stands for, including his support for ideals that grow out of traditional Judeo-Christian values and his belief in a free market economy. Our decision to cancel Shapiro’s speaking engagement is not a reflection of his ideologies or the values he represents, but rather a desire to focus on opportunities that bring people together,” the statement read.
The statement went on to describe how GCU has intentionally created a culture where students feel welcomed and united with their peers and suggested that Shapiro’s frank political talk threatens that culture.
“As a university, we encourage thoughtful discussions and rational dialogue in our classrooms about the issues affecting our society, and we encourage students to put greater emphasis on actions that produce positive change in our society,” the university continued.
GCU also acknowledged that its decision to ban Shapiro would disappoint and offend students, but said the school merely intended “to use our position as a Christian university to bring unity to a community that sits amidst a country that is extremely divided.”
And of course they cited a Bible verse to back up their decision:
The statement ended with a Bible verse: “If you look at America’s history, the Church has been at its best when it has worked to achieve the kind of peace that Jesus commended: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9, ESV). Making peace in a way that honors Christ is something we will continue to try to do.”
As you can imagine, they were blasted by many on Twitter:
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 3, 2019
Shorter @gcu: we are so united we’re going to deny some a speaker because we can’t be united if some students choose to hear @benshapiro. Sounds like @gcu’s unity is shallow and not gospel filled. https://t.co/YZRjIl67xX
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 3, 2019
Extremely disappointed w/ @gcu where I have appeared many times. @my_ccu would never shutter speech this way. Nor @Hillsdale. It is a symptom of a deep illness within the Administration and a warning to would be applicants/parents. Censorship incompatible w/ education. https://t.co/8qJV6EYLOh
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) February 3, 2019
Read this entire statement. It’s strangely self-congratulatory and utterly puzzling. De-platforming unites no one. Fear of debate signals a lack of confidence in your institution and your ideals. Christian schools should not be so timid. https://t.co/YembW4lHPu
— David French (@DavidAFrench) February 3, 2019
Cowards with eloquent rationalizations are still cowards. https://t.co/7Md60M3Nbd
— Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) February 3, 2019
Ridiculous https://t.co/GiueMNBreU
— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) February 2, 2019
This is everything that goes against the free expression of ideas, critical thinking, and exposing young minds to different ideas and concepts. Shame on you. https://t.co/grCNwSQxtM
— Kathleen McKinley (@KatMcKinley) February 2, 2019
I expect this behavior out of leftist secular schools, not @gcu. Count me as another Arizonan deeply disappointed in your intolerance of @benshapiro. https://t.co/iVmfyFw0sY
— jon gabriel (@exjon) February 2, 2019
And the list goes on and on.
I’ve been reading a lot of old testament lately and the heroes of our faith are those great men and women who didn’t cower to the enemies of God. Whether it be King David, Gideon, or Judas Maccabeus, they all knew their strength came from God and didn’t allow the enemies of God to dictate terms.
This isn’t even war or anything close to that, and yet Grand Canyon University has already wussed out to the left like Chamberlain and waived the white flag. It’s pathetic.