Unexpected Response: Southwest Baptist University - Rogues, Flim-Flam and Fairy Tales

Marie's response to the previous post concerning long-time Missouri Baptist and Southwest Baptist University Trustee, Rebecca Randles, was a surprise:

"No."

As Marie had requested, her friend had called her back after allowing Marie some time to consider the previous conversation (here). Obviously bewildered by the unexpected response, her friend floundered.

"Umm ... What exactly do you mean by that," her friend tentatively inquired.

"Umm ... pretty much what the term 'no' usually means in a conversation: no, none, not in any form, fashion, shape or manner. I don't think I can work with them."

"Ah, you mean ... that kind of 'no'!" her friend joked, timidly.

"Did you think that there was some rare proto-Indo-European usage of negative qualifiers, which only linguists/ English majors use?" Marie replied, dryly.

Taken back by the uncharacteristically curt tone, even in the returned jest, her friend ventured hesitantly: "No, but ... If you don't mind my saying so, Marie, you don't sound like your normal warm, fuzzy self. Are you sure you aren't just reacting to the impending 'Puppy' Exodus?"

Marie laughed. She and her friends have developed the 'Puppy Theory of Bolivar Energy Transfer,' which states that:

the energy and enthusiasm level in Bolivar, Missouri is directly proportional to the number of Southwest Baptist University students in town at any one time.

The theory's name was inspired by Marie's observation that the freshmen students (the "freshpuppies") pouring onto campus in the fall reminded her of the joyously spirited puppies playing in the grass and zealously pouncing all over the delighted, little boy in the "ancient" (that is, pre-Internet) Pepsi commercial (see classic commercial, scroll to bottom of linked page).

"No," Marie replied, "the kids [SBU students] haven't all left for the summer yet, but their numbers will be diminishing rapidly... and soon."

"May I ask, then, why you won't attempt to speak to the SBU Board of Trustees again?" her friend asked after a glaring pause.

"Sure," Marie answered. Another pause.

"OK, why?"

So, Marie began her explanation:

Why do I not want to communicate with the SBU Trustees or Rebecca Randles at this time? The full account would be, as they say, "too long an explanation for this space," so I will give you the short version.

In brief: I simply don't trust them. I just don't believe them anymore.

It's impossible that these Trustees could allow this to go on for so long, causing so much suffering and pain ... so much of which didn't need to be ... and still claim to be Christians.

It would be bad enough if this were only the "normal" Baptist flim-flam and fairy tales, but these people have become dangerous.

The Trustees act as though they can simply wave their Jesus talisman over the situation and all their administrative sins and incidental crimes are magically "forgiven" -- meaning they can pretend that none of it ever happened.

As it stands, the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees is a rogue organization.

They do not seem to recognize either the regulations or laws of the state. Further, they do not believe the Laws of God and the Traditions of the Church could possibly apply to them.

"We've all been thinking the same things: But, why isn't the Missouri Baptist Convention, which is so constantly in ever one else's business, concerned about their own university? Why haven't they stepped in to deal with this documented misconduct? Isn't there something they can do?" her friend inquired.

Marie responded:

"I guess that we are all going to find the answer to that question within the next month or so.

Maybe it's time for them to stop squabbling ... like spoiled children fighting over toys ... and deal with some real issues.

These are real lives that they are playing with; it's not a game."

All the dozens of letters, phone calls, lawyers .... At this point, harsher measures and sterner discipline may be imperative.

That may be the only way that they, as an organization and as individuals, can understand that they are, in actual fact, liable and subject to the state, the Law, the Church and to God.

Why must all the rest of us sacrifice for their corruption and negligence?

That's the problem: no matter what happens, the Trustees won't be the only ones that will be harmed by their misdeeds.

"Are you concerned about the way these revelations will impact the students?" her friend asked.

Marie took a deep breath, and continued:

Well, yes, of course, but not just the students; also, their families, non- believers, and all those who are struggling and need to hold on to hope.

The only solution that the administration seems to have for any challenge is to switch into trash, slash and burn mode.

I remember when Southwest Baptist University trashed my dreams and my world ... and how it changed my life. Even after I, more than once, tried to find excuses for them and return, they merely savaged my life again.

I am not the only one that has received such treatment.

Is it safe for these people to even have a university, to have access to so many precious, young, innocent lives?

"But, will Missouri Baptist Convention ever listen? Do you think that it will take a major shake-up to even get their attention -- maybe something like what happened at Oral Roberts University (here)?" her friend inquired.

Marie sighed, and agreed:

That might be so. I am reluctant to disrupt Finals Week -- especially with the news that SBU's tuition has just been raised to over $20,000 for next year.

[Total fees for the 2008-09 year will be $20,870, a $1,370 increase from 2007, (here)].

As a old friend once told me, Southwest Baptist University is and should be about the students. Always.

In my view, students should study well, enjoy their youth and vitality, and learn by experience how to best enhance and mature their own secular skills and Spiritual Gifts by serving their families, friends and the global community.

I would like to see the students excel and prepare for life in the real world. This doesn't make their jobs any easier.

These kinds of shenanigans only lessens the value of their increasingly expensive education and re-enforces the perception that evangelicals (especially Baptists) are: petty, hateful, belligerent, incompetent, intolerant, arrogant, misogynistic, dishonest, swindling, anti-intellectual, and dangerously self-centered, self-righteous hypocrites.

"I'd have to agree, Marie, but how will the 'system' ever change? The Southern Baptist and Missouri Baptist Conventions have a long history of abusing and demeaning people," her friend reminded her.

"I know," Marie replied, "remember it was a Missouri court that wrote the Dred Scot decision (here), which determined that African-Americans were, in their words:

beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white man, either in social or political relations, and so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.

"You've memorized that!" her friend asked, amazed.

"Yes, certainly. It's important," Marie answered, and then added:

It's important to know where you come from, so you don't make the same mistakes.

I don't want to make the same mistake of "trusting the Trustees" -- at least not whole-heartedly.

The SBU commencement is May 17 (here) and so, most of the students will be gone for the summer.

I already have an obligation to contact the First Baptist Church of Bolivar ... and I will do so this coming week.

But, this weekend, I will send a brief letter to Rebecca Randles -- as you asked -- concerning my transcripts and other matters related solely to my schooling. I can't, though, although, delay any of the efforts that are already underway.

If Rebecca Randles replies by May 17*, then perhaps you are right; perhaps, she is one of the 'good guys' and we can work something out -- for the sake of the students."

"What if she doesn't reply?"

"Then, I'll assume that she is one of the 'not-so-good old boys,'" Marie shrugged, "And, unfortunately, that wouldn't exactly be a surprise."



*PLEASE NOTE: Because of the need to await the decision of First Baptist Church of Bolivar (see details here), Marie's letter to Rebecca Randles (see here) will likely not be sent until at least June 1, although this is subject to change, if the circumstances should require.

Yes, Marie will be communicating with the First Baptist Church of Bolivar extensively throughout May and June 2008.