Perhaps someone is trying to set a new Guinness Book …

Comment on Elder Graham: “Why I Support La Sierra University” by Susie.

Perhaps someone is trying to set a new Guinness Book of World Records for stalling–“La Sierra University has set an unmatched record after decades of stalling,” which would tie with their “deceptive advertising” record. You’ve spelled it out clearer than day, Dr. Pitman, thank you for your efforts. And thanks to the many others who have been and currently are trying to bring the truth to light, despite personal attacks and more obstacles than a military training course.

What has been happening at La Sierra–the absolutely non-Adventist philosophies that are being promoted–is truly not acceptable. How can anyone listen to the videos of the classroom lectures, or read the “scriptural” promotion of homosexuality article just published in the Criterion and think these represent Seventh-day Adventism? I have concluded that there really are two diametrically opposed strands within our church. Elder Graham apparently is trying to swim between the two chasms. This cannot continue indefinitely.

The foot dragging has been going on so long, it’s a wonder there are any body parts left to drag. Hiding behind “process” excuse and “academic freedom” excuse or “kingly powers” excuse is not an answer. It is very sad that the local entities have not done their duty long before now and other conferences are forced to step forward.

Despite the hazards to my health I have been reading Spectrum and A-Today website blogs. For those who are so bitter against this church or dissatisfied with its basic tenants, I have a solution: form a new organization called: Seven-day Progressives. Membership would only require self-designation as a superior intellectual and a commitment to love-everybody (except those backward, deluded, judgmental conservatives). SDPs can practice “progressiveness” seven days a week along with whatever “personal relationship/journey” suits them (or do they really believe in the seven day week? Oops!). That way they won’t be mired down with any particular dogma, day or method of worship, moral or life-style constraints or methods of Biblical interpretation, or even bother with the Bible, just use “peer reviewed” science textbooks. Then all this controversy can stop! Enough already! This tremendous expenditure of time and energy publishing back and forth volleys can stop and people can move on with their real lives. Now wouldn’t that free up a great deal of time and resources that could be put to much more productive use?

Great idea! – except, perhaps, for the fact that the initials of my own name are “SDP” ; )

Sean DeVere Pitman
www.DetectingDesign.com

Susie Also Commented

Elder Graham: “Why I Support La Sierra University”
In response to No-Names (Anonymous and some other) blogs, yes, I admit it–I am angry and appalled at some past and present happenings at La Sierra. This is not to say that there aren’t many good programs and experiences occurring there. (From what I’ve read and heard, the SIFE program, for example, is excellent.) If you wish to label me un-Christian, that’s your prerogative; I make no claims of being a perfect, unfailing example of Christ-like behavior. I’m ignorant of some things, certainly, but not ignorant of at least a few of the issues pertaining to La Sierra. After doing a Google search about the back ground of Louie Bishop and then reading about the treatment that he received at LSU, I was mortified and embarrassed for LSU and the Seventh-day Adventist Church That alone was enough to convince me that something was very, very wrong.

Louie was a wonderful Christian witness for the Seventh-day Adventist Church while he attended U.C. Davis. Read the tribute given to him by his coach: (http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-golf/spec-rel/082609aaa.html

I am fervently hoping that LSU’s dirty dealings haven’t filtered out to the people who, because of Louie’s witness (used to?), have a favorable impression of SDA’s. (Or I can hope they’ll be able to differentiate between the SDA Church and LSU’s actions.) It appears that Louie, as had been his practice at UC Davis, was trying to be a genuine witness for God, not knowing he was breaking some rules at La Sierra when shared his concerns about the evolutionary slant of his biology classes. I looked through the student handbook and I challenge anyone to show me where Louie’s handing out information after class, to about 20 fellow students, is a punishable offense. However, Christian gentleman that he is, when Louie was admonished for rule-breaking, he wrote letters of apology. If the administration had handled Louie’s “offenses” in a kindly and discrete way, they would not have had such a bright spotlight pointing on themselves, revealing even more glaring problems.

At the same time that I read about the harsh and unusual punishment meted out against Louie Bishop, I picked up a copy of the Winter 2010 Criterion. In this La Sierra student publication–approved, published and paid for by the school–I read in the religion section an article entitled: “Homosexuality and the Misinterpretation of Biblical Text,” written by another La Sierra student. This article painstakingly explains away the obvious meaning of many Biblical texts and purports that homosexuality is not condemned in scripture; it is merely inhospitality and lack of inclusiveness that is condemned. Yes, I find the contrast between how La Sierra has handled these two different student’s “professions of faith” outrageous and shocking!

Can anyone find an SDA college or university that doesn’t teach ABOUT evolution in some way or another? It is ludicrous to think that LSU is an innocent, wrongly maligned, target of attack simply because it allows “teaching about evolution.” No, it is because there is too much evidence that La Sierra has lost its raison d’être. And that includes being Bible-based. Bible with a capital B.

Has LSU administration apologized for (or learned) anything? No way! From GC twitters, it sounds like the latest development in La Sierra’s path of self-destruction is to investigate and discipline (remove) board of trustee members who shared some information and concerns with GC officials! If board members cannot speak out in any way, shape or form, what good is a board? It ought to be abolished instead of simply being another level of cover-up or a (cumbersome) rubber stamp. The prevailing powers in control of La Sierra are working over-time to keep a lid on a pot that has gone past the point of simmering. The boiling-over-point has occurred and they’re still frantically, desperately pretending “all is well.”

Unequivocally, there are two irreconcilable, mutually exclusive and totally divergent points of view being expressed in this controversy. The bloggers who chastise, character malign and threaten with God’s judgment those of us who object to this “enlightened” version of “Adventism” are free to do so. But you can be sure there will be people who are alarmed at what is happening under the La Sierra flag of a Seventh-day Adventist institution who will not be shamed, threatened or “guilt-ed” into silence.


Elder Graham: “Why I Support La Sierra University”
My apologies, Sean, for the inadvertent linking of your name to my suggestion for a “Seven-day Progressive Church!”

Seriously, in my own life I know that I fall short of reflecting all the ideals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but to assuage any feelings of inadequacy, I do not try to fundamentally change the definition of Seventh-day Adventist. Even if I disagree with some areas, as long as the church’s standards are clearly stated then I know what I am choosing to align myself with. If the discrepancy is too great with my own convictions and understanding of truth or even my lifestyle choices, then I am free to leave. I have had to accept at least one area where I do not think the church made the right decision, but I have chosen to remain with the church.

What I find unacceptable is when the church’s foundational pillars are redefined by pockets of individuals or institutions bearing the Seventh-day Adventist name, but still pretending to uphold the church.
It is underhanded, deceptive, unethical and ought to be illegal. The church is being redefined for every member without the benefit of full membership knowledge. How can I or anyone make an informed decision of what we want to be a part of? If my spouse is secretly having an affair how can I make appropriate decisions about everything from handling of money to how and where I want to live? It is only when there is full disclosure that informed decisions and choices can be made by all affected parties. La Sierra University officials and even Ricardo Graham have been less than forthcoming. Case in point: note the twitter from the GC session where several La Sierra Board of Trustee members have been threatened with “discipline” because they evidently tried to provide some disclosure to GC vice presidents! (Can’t allow that, oh no!)

Back to my original conclusion, I still think a “Seven-day Progressive Church” (sorry for the initials, Sean) would be a very good solution for those who prefer total flexibility in defining church standards, the Bible, origins, life-style, worship style, God, whatever…


Recent Comments by Susie

Board of Trustees Addresses Curriculum Proposal
Holly, I concur with you that money speaks. That’s why I used the expression “well heeled.” Money is probably an unspoken but standard prerequisite, although in this case it appears herd mentality is the highest priority.


Board of Trustees Addresses Curriculum Proposal
Somewhere along the way, the Board of Trustees has lost the Trustee part. Anyone who is not willing to be part of the administration’s rubber stamp club will be dismissed. Three new seats on the LSU Board are now available; qualifications as follows:
1.Individuality is strongly discouraged.
2.All candidates will be screened carefully to be certain no conservative theology lurks inside.
3.No talking to the faculty or constituents will be allowed.
4.Well-heeled puppets strongly preferred.


Former board member never talked with biology faculty
If ever truth was stranger than fiction, the unfolding La Sierra saga proves that point. Somehow in the midst of this hostile environment where everyone was forbidden to “talk” with everyone else–a tentative/temporary solution was offered. Board members (or two of them, apparently) had the gall to actually listen to and carry on some sort of meaningful communication with the biology teachers. The board appointed committee to analyze the creation/evolution concerns didn’t talk with the biology teachers. (Read their previous report.) I challenge anyone to read through the LSU by-laws and board constraints of recent years and not conclude that there is an extremely dictitorial-style (hide everything behind closed-doors) administration holding on to an inordinate amount of power. Communications between faculty and board members, between board members and the general public, and even between faculty and the general public, are either forbidden or carefully controlled. A few brave souls were willing to put their names on a proposal. Not a declaration. Not a “final document” — a PROPOSAL!! One that turns out to have enough redeeming qualities that the NAD and the LSU board (after having a hissy fit about “process”) were willing to endorse. A biology FACULTY proposal that appears to have been presented as a hopeful gesture to satisfy WASC and AAA or at least keep possibilities of resolution in sight. Our church doesn’t need to worry about the “second grade level” of its membership. Our church needs to worry about the large population of leaders and administrators with the emotional maturity level of two-year-olds.


La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief
Shane pointed out what may be crucial in forcing LSU to choose it’s allegiance. Since Wisbey has pledged the administration and the board will “resist efforts that would compromise academic freedom and institutional autonomy” how can AAA’s requirements be met? Which one will LSU oblige? Wisbey has committed the school to an impossible dilemma. With WASC reevaluating, at any time now (if not already) the answer may be forthcoming quite soon.


LSU Board says ‘we apologize’
The memo, letter and attached report involves over 30 pages of double speak to address the creation/evolution controversy—it’s not hard to see where that tactic leads. Despite the words attempting to convey apology and reform and standing true for church principles, at the same time there are statements which excuse or provide convenient outs. Nor are there any real apologies noted. Where is a published apology to the hundreds of students in the past who signed petitions? Where is a published apology to Louie Bishop?

The Board appointed evolution/creation study committee concluded that any tangible hands-on-investigation such as looking at curriculum or visiting classrooms or talking directly with the teachers was beyond their expertise, therefore the Provost conceived the survey idea. But even with the survey results, notice this disclaimer: “The only way in which to fully benchmark these results, however, would be to have this same survey conducted by La Sierra’s sister institutions in North America. Without such comparisons, any criticism of La Sierra’s effectiveness at supporting Adventist beliefs relative to other institutions is speculative, at best. It would be helpful if other Adventist institutions could work on the curriculum challenges surrounding this issue in a collaborative manner.”

The philosophizing in the committee’s report does nothing to clarify; it supports the notion that no matter what is taught, it is under the rubric of higher education and academic freedom (yet still supposedly under the SDA umbrella — an umbrella that they have stretched beyond recognition)..“The educational enterprise by its very nature introduces students to new ideas and new ways of looking at the world that are often very different from what they have known before. This can sometimes create tension and anxiety, but never more so than when the new ideas seem to contradict deeply held belief whether in the social, political or religious domain.” Joel Martin is quoted, “Religion is not a science and should never masquerade as such.” Then further talk of the arrogance of both sides.

How can any organization maintain its distinct identity if it attempts to coexist with pluralism? Truth is always consistent with itself. Those of us who send our children to Adventist schools did not pack their heads full of Santa Clause stories and then complain because our children are being taught something different in their advanced classes. No, we brought them up believing in God, His Word and the foundational principles of Christianity (specifically the SDA worldview) and there is no reason that those beliefs should be attacked and discredited at a Seventh-day Adventist school. “Advanced” instruction in ANY field of learning taught within a SDA institution does not give license to discredit SDA beliefs and values.

Even though LSU is admitting that listening to constituents was lacking on their part, yet: “Nevertheless, at least as worrisome as the issue of how the university’s biology curriculum presents creation and evolution is the hostility and the lack of civility with which some members of the constituency have conducted the dialogue of this issue.” Well, that lets them off the hook! They don’t have to listen to anyone who doesn’t support their agenda, because of course, those people are not “civil” or “reasonable.”

And finally, all of this tempest in a teapot is going to dissipate because: they’re going to have ongoing workshops; ongoing surveys (which are only valid if the other SDA universities do likewise); they bring in people like Chris Oberg to explain scripture and LSU’s administration is on the job—neither faculty nor board members are to speak on their own. The faculty cannot because they are “not experts at speaking outside the classroom” and the Board, by their own by-laws, are required to put smiley rubber stamps on all actions voted by the majority (under the watchful eye of the president and the attorney.) All “results” will be filtered through the administration and PR. Furthermore the Board has been admonished to focus on the more positive aspects of the university. There. It is all fixed. And the future propaganda will verify the fact. Just wait and see.

Amidst all of this scrambling for explanations, where is LSU’s clear statement affirming creation? By comparison, here’s what a clear statement looks like:

https://www.southern.edu/faithandscience/position/Pages/universitystatementoncreation.aspx