Bob Jones University’s History of Sexual Oppression and Insanity

Fundamentalist Christian institution Bob Jones University has sparked controversy for recently firing the consulting group it hired to investigate its handling of sexual assault claims at the college. The school hired the group Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) in 2012; its findings were due to be released this March.

The New York Times on reports from former students and staff members: “For decades, students at Bob Jones University who sought counseling for sexual abuse were told not to report it because turning in an abuser from a fundamentalist Christian community would damage Jesus Christ. Administrators called victims liars and sinners.” The article goes on to interview some of these people, including Erin Burchwell. After accusing a university employee of sexually assaulting her in the late 1990s, “their idea of an investigation and counseling was to ask me what I was wearing and whether it was tight, and to tell me not to talk to anyone about it because it wouldn’t look good for me,” she says.

In light of this disturbing news, it seems appropriate to highlight some of Bob Jones University’s oppressive, harmful, and dangerous—not to mention batshit crazy—policies, practices, and beliefs.

Remember former Bob Jones student, Chris Peterman? According to the Advocate back in April of 2012: “Chris Peterman says officials at the conservative Baptist college began targeting him after he organized a group dedicated to ending sexual abuse. He was cited and given demerits for frivolous reasons like returning late to his dorm and not shaving, he claims.” He was allegedly finally barred from graduating from the college because he was caught watching the TV show Glee.

Then there’s the college’s dress code for women, which includes such rules as “clothing should be loose enough to conceal undergarment lines and not to draw attention to the figure” and “jeans are not appropriate away from home.” And this is from 2013, not 1953. And guess what the school’s policy on interracial dating was up until the year 2000? The year 2000!

Speaking of dating, want to see what the road to marriage is like for students at Bob Jones University? Here’s a thoroughly depressing video.

To really understand the college, it’s important to consider its founder. Here’s a sermon Bob Jones, Sr. delivered in 1960 entitled, “Is Segregation Scriptural?” Guess what the answer is.

And last but not least, here’s an example of the utter cluelessness of the folks running the show at Bob Jones University—which would be funny if it wasn’t coming from a place that’s been shaping the minds of young Christians for the past 87 years. – by Christian Nightmares