Read the Amazing, Fantastical, Autocratic Bob Jones University Student Handbook

I don't know any Bob Jones alumni but I do know some alumni of a similar (though slightly less draconian) Evangelical college. Life is different there, no doubt. But also, in reality, young people do rebel and resist, and always will. The rebellion will be within the rules or on the boundaries.

Just like in China. In fact the other thing your post made me think of was that the above scenario sounds like the Chinese government's wet dream. There were similar rules, non-theologically motivated, at Chinese and other authoritarian Asian universities until also fairly recently.

dependent citizens are usually created by government programs set up to "help" people but ultimately enslaving us--Bob Jones enrollment is voluntary and obviously some people find it perfectly acceptable--my wife went to Catholic Univ. back in "the day" where there were all sorts of rules and regs about what was acceptable and not--she and her classmates have turned out just fine thank you--hey all the "lefties" talk about diversity and now we have a good example--different strokes for different folks.

Amen!

Who came up with the idea of measuring the co-eds' necklines with his fingers, and how is he not in jail?

HAHA, I have no idea. That's a good point. I was too busy caught up on the affinity for denim.

Because putting in him jail would damage Jesus Christ.

I actually have briefly met some of their graduates. I sat next to one on a flight as he was heading home to his family in Korea for summer vacation (I was headed to Asia with my wife), and I met another who was working as a clerk in the auto care department at Sears. They seemed nice, I guess.

I can't imagine growing in an environment like that. Spiritually, intellectually, or otherwise. And I'm a Christian!

Sounds a lot like North Korea.

I want to like South Carolina, but they make it so so hard sometimes.

I live in CA and I want to move to the South. Drove through a few years ago and couldn't beleive the ubiguitous fundamental religious saturation-billboards, radio channels, etc. If I moved there I guess I'd have to learn a certain amount of tone deafness. Hopefully there'd be some fellow atheists I could commiserate with.

I'm surprised that musical performance wasn't banned - Mozart being Catholic and whatnot.

I can understand how parents with troubled/out of control kids would like this place.

I was under the impression parents were responsible for their kids.

I was under the impression responsible parents sought help when required.

I went to an evangelical college with similar rules. They normally have the opposite effect on troubled or destructive kids. These places are meant for students who are already indoctrinated and believe that these rules are normal and appropriate. The rules are in place as a screening process to keep away temptations and supposed bad influences. A primary part of the indoctrination process is instilling a fear of being swayed from your beliefs, and these places build a safe zone where kids and parents don't need to worry as much about out side influence.

I think an out of control kid would end up getting kicked out pretty quickly.

"Facial Hair—Students are to shave each morning. Students 25 and over may
have facial hair that is natural, neat, clean and well trimmed. Facial hair is to be well established prior to the start of any semester and grown in while
away from campus." Existing "well established" beards are grandfathered in, that made me laugh so hard.

My plebe year at West Point had more stringent rules than this... but then again, that was part of the allure and right of passage. Its really crazy to me that this still goes on in the US. I wonder if the students ever feel like they are on the Truman show....

Is "Scatological realism" evangelical code for fart jokes? I'm actually serious. I'm not really sure what this is supposed to reference. This proves how far my frame of reference is from this schools.

Amazing.

In that in today's time where many of the colleges and universities go all out for providing the feel good factor to its customers - students even when it requires compromising on all aspects,there is a university who is human enough to have such rules which would shape tomorrows young citizens and make this world a better place to live in.

Thanks Joshua for throwing light on the same.

I disagree, since students aren't forced to enroll in the university. They have a choice to go there knowing what the rules are, and they chose that.

I mean, some people become monks and nuns and cloister themselves in a monastery, and while I can't ever imagine living that way, I can also see why some people would want to live that way, and I can see why institutions exist to support them.

I'm not sure that people who would prefer that lifestyle would be better off in the world, anyway, either for us or for them.

Not a choice for most, BJU was probably the only place their domineering overbearing parents would allow/trust them to go.

This makes me want to read the entire handbook cover-to-cover, and figure out a way to break as many of the rules as possible in one event. I imagine getting face tattoos and a fauxhawk, while wearing a sleeveless Abercrombie shirt, playing craps on the front lawn at midnight using an issue of Esquire as the felt, blaring the Beatles, and having Die Hard playing on a tv in the background.

Sounds like Utah. If the majority had their way, many of these rules would be in the state code. Culturally, violating many of these norms results in disdain. BYU has many very similar rules.

I'm not sure I agree with your statement that this is how one is set up "for a life of paternalism and authoritarian rule." That is achieved by doing for people that which they should do for themselves, or by harsh dictatorial rule backup by the gulag or death.

Fauxhawks are popular here, and I have to agree with the rule that prevents that abomination. (I kid! kind of...)

religion like government is controlled by power hungry sociopaths who themselves desire to live above the law. Racism was justification to extract profit out of certain segment of labor. Heck, you look at all world powers, they all built their empire through exploitation.

I graduated from there. Believe it or not, it used to be worse. My only correction is the line about accreditation. It has national accreditation (which is pretty much worthless) as opposed to regional accreditation (which is what's really needed.) They're applying for regional but I'll be surprised if they gain it.

My parents graduated from here. As young Christians, they believed this was what God wanted for them. Looking back, they do not necessarily regret it - after all, that's where they met each other - but they do see a university based on religion and ritual rather than unashamed freedom and love in Christ. The values this university stands for are important and honorable. Some of their rules make sense. However, they have taken religion too far and left Christianity in the dust.
There is a part in the handbook that states students can be suspended for "serious moral failure" or something like that. I argue that God himself says he sees all sins as equal. Is it really these people's place to call the shots as to what is and isn't forgivable? I also think that if this university wanted to see its students truly please Christ, it would encourage them to show grace and mercy to other students who have enrolled here with good intentions and occasionally mess up. That's what Christ did, after all. But this university's overly strict, outdated policies only cultivate an environment of judgment and falsity. No one is perfect, so if students seem like they are, they must be truly exhausted from trying to make it look that way.
I also wonder just how prepared these students truly are. A denim jacket is not, by any means, acceptable professional attire, as the author implies. Avoiding any and all new music, regardless of its message, seems completely narrow-minded and unfounded. God tells us to make a joyful noise. He doesn't say, "only use pre-20th century worship hymns played on the organ to worship me." If anything Christians should be using the creativity God has instilled in them to make beautiful and different worship.
All of this being said, I really just hope that I'm wrong about this university. My parents turned out fine and many other graduates have as well. However, I truly believe it is more often than not through God's grace alone and a refusal to adhere to this ritualistic, bleak vision of living for our amazing, vibrant Savior.

Reading this post a year and a half from its posting and searching other websites and blog posts about BJU's student life policies. There seems to be majority of people that do not and can not see any benefit whatsoever with some of the policies Bob Jones has.
Most of the rules have good benefits to the students. The dress code is more beneficial to the males than the females. It gets males used to wearing pants everyday and a collard shirt -> A lot of businesses require that kind of attire. Having to be groomed would help students if the company policy of their future employer required it. Personally, I would fail to remember to shave every single day ( I like facial hair) -> I would probably get caught lying for why I didn't shave. I would say something like, "I don't own any razors or shaving cream, I can't shave even if I wanted to."
The gym rule has some value to it. A school needs its facilities to be used, so making only the school gym the one students can use (although if you were a 'day student' you probably could get away with going to an outside gym (just don't cross paths with anyone that you know who would turn you in to the school)) keeps the facility in use.
The policies about blinds and times one can be inside are reasonable. It provides better security with less of a chance for crime to occur.
The only problems that real consequences would be the Information Sharing with Parents. I believe that would have to be removed in order for them to become regionally accredited. Also, having to get permission for certain things (like leaving campus for the day, watching a movie, etc) is a little to far. I can see the leaving campus, because the campus is a closed campus. I can't really understand the movie stipulation. I would just hope I had roommates that didn't turn me in if I went to see a move rated PG-13 or worse. I also wouldn't be discussing some movies, that would just ruin the moment.
The dating policy is kind of normal. I think it is more in place so people stay focused on work, because to often students get married then drop out of finishing a degree. I personally think, the policy of anyone that is married before 20 cannot continue education is alright, but I would have some stipulations on it. 1 would be lowering that age to 18 (high schoolers). 2 would be if continuing an education would place undue financial burden on the couple that they would ignore the needs of a child if they had one, in favor of school and work (this would be concluded if the situation was discovered by grades dropping/absences, etc).
The work policy is a little scary. I guess its in place so none of the students go off to be a stripper, casino dealer, etc.
Some things should be cleared up regarding any school or corporate business. If someone is using the internet, email, etc. that was given to them from the school or business (think a work email, computer, etc) the organization DOES have the right to search correspondences from that email, to prohibit any use of non-work/school related activity on a device and if suspected to investigate (little different for a school, but a business can basically take back the device, search it, and give it back -> business needs to say that in their policy, otherwise an employee could contest it).
I would be suspended within the first few weeks (if I was caught or ratted out). I like my humor sites, and they are clean humor sites at that. I read the newspaper online and like research -> which could require looking at grotesque things.

I attended BJU for 2 years in the early 1980's. My parents forced me to attend on a "trial" basis. The deal? If I attended bju for 2 years and absolutely despised it, they'd allow me to attend the college of my choice and pay the full ride.

Trust me...The only thing that's changed since then is the date on the cover of the handbook you referenced.

It is pure insanity. How this establishment still exists is truly mind boggling. I survived only by figuring out the system, building alliances early on and trusting absolutely no one to avoid being "voted off the island". BJU calls that "being shipped" - aka sent home, expelled, call it what you will. It is similar to survivor except the guys can't wear tank tops, you can't do the obstacle course on Sunday's, you're forbidden to hook up with any of the female castaways and if you are attracted in anyway to a castaway of the same sex...rather than being shipped, you are simply thrown into a volcano since the temperature is similar to hell and that's where the establishment is convinced you'd belong.

I did survive my 2 year sentence and went on to attend a real college where I continued my education and now serve as a marketing professional for one of the largest companies in the world - bju deserves zero credit for the outcome. Here's what I was able to accomplish during my 2 year sentence....

Although not a smoker upon entering bju, I left with a pack a day habit. My love for rock music tripled while I was there thanks to the underground exchange of cassettes that took place nightly behind the field house. I became an expert liar capable of passing any lie detector yet to be invented and I lost my virginity to a complete stranger during my first trip back home....because after that level of abnormal physical suppression, it seemed the logical choice.

I'm only sorry to learn that after so many years, that amazing piece of purified real estate still belongs to the psychotic family that started this circus.

I believe it was the great kelly clarkson who said "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Wait a minute...that was pop music reference. Please forgive me.

#fubju

Joshua, thank you for this insight of this University that I unfortunately graduated from with a faux degree. I have never recovered from my five years experience living in this cult during the late 1970's. It is interesting to note that the chancellor that we honor as a "Dr" turns out to have "honorary" degrees, what a hypocrisy of self-imposed heroism. All I heard was that anything that you did that did not conform to their theology, was a ticket straight to a burning hell created from their own wild imaginations. I have been in costly therapy for 30+ years and am unemployable. Fortunately I commited the greatest of all sins and married a wonderful Catholic man who adores me and helps me through my daily problems. Before my parents sent me to the school, I was generally a well rounded, smart, happy person. After graduation, I didn't even recognize myself and lost my identity. I'm surprised that I remain among the living! Please continue your writings, I immensly enjoy reading them. God bless and best wishes to you!

Pensacola Christian is probably even more whacked out than BJU is. And there are a few Christian universities even more whacked out.

I am pretty old now - 67. But I've never forgotten my three years at BJA, from which I graduated. I was a cheerleader and went steady with the senior class heart throb. We were at the basketball game sitting appropriately within the rules on the bleachers - near the top I believe - but for no particular reason. We saw one of the staff below us staring up at us conspicuously. We checked all the "inches from each other" rules, etc. but couldn't figure out what we were doing wrong. (There were six or eight of us, all couples). We figured "all was well" and went back to our dorms after the game. We were summoned to see the Principal, Gene Fisher, the following week. My boyfriend went into his office first. When he came out, the horrendous look on his face said a lot. He managed to whisper as he pass me something like, "they won't listen, its no use." What? What had we done? He kept walking exasperated. When I went into the office, I was told all the couples had their hands on each other's legs. I was sixteen, never been kissed, so virgin in every manner I was embarrassed at the suggestion. I gently argued that that wasn't true, that I'd never even thought of doing something like that. He assured me he didn't have time unless I wanted to confess. I remember telling him that this false accusation was not indicative of true Christianity. All of us were permanently punished for the remainder of our senior year - 8 weeks of never speaking or being spoken to -- in the dorm room, in the dining common at meals, at school in the classrooms. My parents called me long distance & encouraged me to withdraw and finish school in summer school at home. NAY, NAY, I said! I'm not a Quitter and they won't win. I'll see them on the stage to get my diploma -- and I did. Needless to say, for years afterward, I had a bitterness toward church, God and religion which (in rebellious terms) cost me dearly. Thank you, BJA, for the incredible lessons of what CHIRSTIANITY IS NOT.

When I was there in 2015/2016, I told the wrong person that I was bisexual. She threatened to tell our dorm supervisor if I didn't do it myself, despite the fact I told her I had broken up with my girlfriend because I knew it was wrong (I lied. A year later I am still with her and am planning on marrying her one day.) I told her I would. So the next day I talked to my RA and dorm supervisor and told them I was "struggling with same sex attractions." We had. Councilling session, and then some more that semester. I left at the end of that semester and never went back. I got away easy, but I know a lot of people who got kicked out for being gay. It's all in the way you react to them and phrase things. I survived by time at BJU by making friends with the right people and learning how to skirt the rules very well. I hated my time there.

Your alma mater is run by white supremacists and fascists. They’re bad people and if you defended them then so are you.

Your whole damn religion is a “cult.” All the Xtians fawning over Trump - a philandering foul-mouthed bully who takes pleasure in hurting the weak and powerless - is proof of it.

What a courageous take

Christianity is in the toilet with everyone living exactly as they please which is nothing but Antinomianism and Anarchy. It is improperto have your cleavage showing or your butt crack showing.

It’s in the toilet because you Xtians chose Donald Trump as your leader…a cruel, vulgar, philandering white supremacist. You cheered as he hurt the weak and powerless. The rest of the world looks at you and all we see is hypocrisy.

She’s pathetic and so are you for indulging her. These people are evil.