Last week, Bob Jones University eliminated its long-standing policy against interracial dating. This came hot on the heels of a lot of ridicule the school received after Gov. George W. Bush visited there recently, including ridicule from Sen. John McCain.
A lot of people were unaware that BJU had this policy. Okay, let's be honest. Most people have never heard of this ultra-conservative school in the first place. But the fact is, this policy has been on its books since it was founded in 1927.
And in point of fact, BJU is not changing this policy because it feels interracial dating is okay. The school has always maintained that it is a tool of the antichrist. They are only buckling under pressure because they want "everybody to understand that the liberals were all wrong when they said [the school was] racist."
See… they're not racist… they just feel everyone should date someone of the same skin color. Yeah, right…
Oh, and lest anyone think this policy was just dropped and forgotten, I'm afraid that's not quite accurate. You see, in order for students of two different races to date, they must first obtain the permission of their parents. The parents must send a letter to the dean of men or women telling the school that the relationship has their blessing before the school will allow it.
In 1983, BJU lost its tax-exempt status because the anti-dating policy was in violation of federal public policy. I wonder if they'll reapply, now.
This bit of policy switching isn't something that casts a good light on BJU, really. Yes, the change is for the better, but their reasons are shallow. It's akin to other changes in religious history, such as the many alterations of Catholic Church opinion, and Utah's disavowal of polygamy in order to gain statehood.
It's all showbiz, as Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., would say. It's all public relations and trying not to look utterly stupid.
It's not, however, honest.
