10 Strictest College Campuses: 10 Unbelievably Strict College Campuses

By   |  April 26, 2010

Every college and university around the world expects its students to uphold certain standards. Honesty, refraining from causing harm to others, community, and staying within the laws of the home country all remain relatively reasonable and universal codes that give students structure while still preserving their individuality and bolstering their character. But some schools, most especially those affiliated with the evangelical Christian movement in the United States, raise a number of extremely difficult questions with their adherence to a highly restrictive code of values. While it usually remains the students’ choice to partake of such environments, many outside the affiliated fundamentalist organizations may look over their rules and find their jaws dropping. For these schools, leeching beyond the academic and school-related extracurricular functions and into the private lives of their students remains a high priority, with handbooks dictating very clearly how all of them must behave regardless of whether or not they live or play on campus. Are they genuinely pushing their students towards the path of Christ? Or are they treating free-willed adults as if petulant children incapable of forging their own individual perceptions, decisions, and behaviors without being fed someone else’s interpretations of Christian dogma? There are as many answers as there are people to consider the questions, because the world exists in shades of grey. Perhaps they are harmful. Perhaps they are harmless. But the following schools nonetheless play host to a number of regulations that seem rather appalling to mainstream society, and this article takes an admittedly irreverent peek at a little of what they have to say.

1. Oral Roberts University

All resident and commuter students at Oral Roberts University are required to attend church at least twice a week and find themselves to a highly restrictive dress code. All men and women are expected to dress modestly, stay well-groomed, and avoid tattoos and body piercings. The former may not wear makeup, because breaking archaic gender tropes will rip the very foundations of society asunder. Alcohol is held up as equally detrimental as illegal substances regardless of whether or not a student partakes responsibly and remains at or above the drinking age – and the University does not discriminate on whether or not consumption or possession takes place on- or off-campus, either. Raffles are not even allowed as fundraiser due to their association with gambling, which is also banned. Obviously, dishonest or disruptive remains heavily discouraged as it does even in public schools. But premarital sex, homosexuality, aligning oneself with occult religions (though the handbook never actually specifies which belief systems they consider “occult”), using expletives, tobacco possession or use, dancing, and working at any establishment that encourages or involves any such things apparently constitute impropriety and stand as offenses worthy of expulsion.

2. Pensacola Christian College

While most schools understandably discourage nationally illegal activities involving drugs or underage drinking, Pensacola Christian College outlaws perfectly legal ones such as gambling, possession of pornography, dancing, swearing, smoking tobacco, and even patronizing movie theatres. They completely reach into the personal lives and convictions of their students, demanding that they refrain from such so-called “perversions” such as premarital sex, extramarital sex (even if both parties agree to an open relationship), and homosexuality. Anyone caught in such a position faces discipline or dismissal. In addition, all students enrolled in 12 or more hours are required to attend at least one chapel event a week. Part-timers or those with special circumstances must do so on days when their classes do not begin until after noon. All of these policies supposedly honor the wishes of Jesus Christ and facilitate participation in the encouraged weekend activities of door-to-door and child evangelism, working in churches, and volunteering at nursing homes.

3. Bob Jones University

Bob Jones University requires all students to attend regular church, Sunday school, society, Bible conferences, artist series programs, and vespers services on campus, though not necessarily in a single week. They understandably discourage illegal and discourteous behaviors such as excessive drunkenness, but generally harmless actions like possessing legal pornography, moderate drinking, disciplined gambling, dancing, sensuality, premarital sex, and homosexuality all remain condemned and held up as just as harmful to young, educated minds. All mixed groups of men and women – both on and off campus – require the presence of a chaperone to intercede on any behaviors they deem offensive to their conservative sensibilities. The school even governs how students are to go about their off-campus employment as well. Serving alcohol at bars or restaurants, keeping hours past 10:30 PM on weekdays and midnight on weekends, and door-to-door sales without expressed permission from the dean or a retail license are all forbidden by Bob Jones University. Any and all work must not interfere with weekday prayer sessions, either. In addition, all freshmen with jobs must consent to being chaperoned by a prayer captain or one of their assistants or an upperclassman while working. Neither freshmen nor sophomores are permitted to drive cars to work, either.

4. Liberty University

As with many Christian colleges and universities, Liberty extends its behavioral guidelines to students who live off campus as well as on. They do not require church service, but Convocations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are compulsory for the entire student body. Political or social demonstrations – including harmless picketing – are completely banned on campus, and the University heavily discourages participating in any held off-campus as well. They reserve the right to discipline any student who does so, most especially in cases when the politics and ideals expressed in the protests go against the school’s extremely conservative beliefs. Commuter students cannot cohabitate with significant others or any peers of the opposite sex, either, and anyone hoping to get married before the age of 21 is highly encouraged to seek counseling and receive parental permission. In addition, anyone considering dating a classmate or other attendee must refrain from any sign of affection beyond handholding. After dusk, mixed groups are not allowed to fraternize without chaperones because having a group of friends including males and females alike is not normal psychosocial behavior – it is “improper” and apparently leads to premarital sex and dancing and other alleged affronts to Jesus.

5. Brigham Young University

The official “Honor Code” of BYU strictly outlaws camping trips with members of the opposite sex, though instances with separate accommodations for males and females will at least receive a modicum of consideration and reduced discipline if unauthorized. Most of the punishment is reserved for any involving “impropriety,” however. In accordance with their Mormon faith, students must also refrain from the expected and reasonable discourteous and illegal behavior – but coffee, tea, responsible alcohol consumption, and tobacco are also disallowed as well. All women are required to keep their skirts at knee-length or longer and receive no piercings beyond one in the earlobe. Men may not grow their sideburns past their earlobes, have hair covering their ears, or keep moustaches beyond the corners of their mouths. Beards are completely banned without explicit permission from the school, and neither gender may color their hair or wear any form-fitting apparel. Openly homosexual students are allowed to attend classes, but they must commit themselves to the same standards of staunch chastity as their heterosexual peers. In addition, they must refrain from participating in any pro-gay demonstrations or distribute literature involving equal marital and legal rights for their community. While BYU does accept students who do not belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they are still required to participate in the community as if they were.

6. Asbury College

Demanding a “radical commitment to Jesus Christ” of all students involves not only the usual abstinence from illegal substances and behaving courteously, but a number of other legal but forbidden or discouraged behaviors frowned upon by the religious right as well. Possessing legal pornography, light to moderate drinking (even non-alcoholic versions of beer or cocktails), gambling, premarital or extramarital sex (regardless of whether or not the latter take place within an open relationship), dressing immodestly, supporting or practicing religious beliefs in line with the “occult” (with the lines of what constitutes such practices never explicitly stated), using profanity, tobacco, engaging in or supporting homosexuality, and having or supporting abortions are also very much in violation of the school’s strict moral guidelines. Allowing dancing at any school-related function – on or off campus – is strictly prohibited, though students are allowed to bust a few chaste, pre-approved moves at “weddings, military balls, graduation exercises, church, and family occasions” provided they refrain from attending clubs, bars, or parties that allegedly lead to temptation no matter what. Attending chapel is mandatory, and it is heavily suggested that not participating in other Christian ceremonies or functions is highly frowned upon. Any movies to be shown on campus must receive approval from Asbury College faculty and staff if it involves a rating of PG or PG-13, with all R’s and NC-17’s banned except in extreme circumstances (Passion of the Christ, by the way, was considered violent and intense enough to warrant an R by the MPAA). Students hoping to visit any friends of the opposite sex must receive permission from their families and keep it on file with the school as well.

7. Dallas Christian College

Dallas Christian College directly addresses individuals who feel their extremely staunch policies are either too slack or too restrictive, stating that such measures strike a balance between freedom and Christian piety. In addition to outright banning the expected illegal and discourteous behaviors, premarital sex and homosexuality are “considered as absolute” in their alleged offense to God and society as stealing and lying. Any freshmen taking less than 24 hours of coursework must be in their dorm rooms by midnight on Monday through Wednesday and 12:30 AM on Friday through Sunday. Other academic levels are not stringently held to these policies, but they must sign out if they want to return after curfew. Thursday nights require a 10:00 PM return time because of devotionals. All students with a course load of 6 hours or more are required to contribute at least 6 hours of volunteer work in a Christian-related field per month, and they are heavily discouraged from taking jobs that distract from the school’s staunch moral guidelines. Students caught engaging in premarital, extramarital, and homosexual behavior face the risk of being expelled completely from Dallas Christian College as well. Dancing, too, falls under extremely restrictive guidelines as well, with the school outright refusing to allow it on campus or any official functions held offsite. Social and dance clubs as well face quite a bit of consternation.

8. Ozark Christian College

Most schools understandably want their students to stay away from breaking the law or acting inconsiderately towards others – but Ozark Christian College also places tight regulations on legal activities as well. Alcohol and tobacco are forbidden even for those of age for purchase and consumption, and media intake is restricted to whatever the faculty and staff deems inoffensive. This, of course, means any movie above a PG-rating or below a -1 score on Previewonline.org (though there exists the very rare acquiescing from the school). In addition, attendance at parties, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and bars is expressly prohibited except when no alcohol is present. Mixed groups of males and females must agree to confer in the presence of a chaperone. Public displays of affection beyond handholding are highly discouraged, as is fraternizing with those of the opposite sex on co-ed camping trips. Dyed hair and “faddish or extreme styles” are out, as are any piercings beyond the ears or a nose stud – presumably allowed for cultural reasons. Save for the dress code and media violations, most of these infractions can lead to disciplinary actions or even outright dismissal from the school.

9. Clearwater Christian College

This Florida institution takes its “honor court” very, very seriously – going so far as to issue demerits for a number of completely legal offenses. Some are grounds for immediate expulsion, while others build up over time before a student can be dismissed. Arrests, convictions, and firearms understandably lead to suspension or termination, but so can purchasing and consuming alcohol (even when of age), attending a bar or a club, involvement with a cult, Satanism, or witchcraft, or engaging in sexual activity. Because the nude human body is just as detrimental to society as a sawed-off shotgun. Major infractions largely accepted by mainstream society and allowed under American law include “dating violation[s],” owning potentially offensive media (which will get confiscated), swimming with the opposite sex, patronizing a movie theatre, attending a concert, receiving a tattoo or piercing, gambling, possessing pornography, or purchasing and using tobacco (even when of age). Some of the dating offenses include displays of affection beyond hand-holding both on- and off-campus, seeing one another in swimming or sunbathing attire, not exiting a car at the same time immediately upon turning off the engine, being caught alone together while at school, and going on single dates while a freshman. Minor infractions include borrowing and not attending chapel and group devotions on a regular basis. All students are also required to adhere to a stringent dress code lest they find themselves facing a few more fines along the way.

10. Florida Christian College

The veritably Orwellian Florida Christian College combs through its students’ media collections, banning any books, movies, music, magazines, or video games it deems detrimental to Christianity. No video games may possess an M rating, nor are students allowed to own movies above the PG-13 rating. They can’t dance, can’t gamble, and can’t even lightly use alcohol or tobacco even if of legal age. They have to cover tattoos, remove piercings, and maintain hairstyles approved by the dean – and all without any unnatural colors, of course. Employment must not mainly involve the sale of alcohol (so no bars or liquor stores), anything even remotely sexual, gambling, or anything un-Christian. Sexual abuse and incest are very understandably considered a violation due to their illegality and penchant for psychological damage, but legal activities like abortion, premarital and extramarital sex (even within the confines of an open marriage), and homosexuality are held up as just as appalling.

In their quest to encourage their students to live like Christ – or, more accurately, their interpretations of how Christ lived – these schools push upon them a series of heavy restrictions involving their behaviors on and off campus. Going far beyond the usual, generally accepted standards of not breaking the law, acting in a disruptive or discourteous manner, and remaining honest in word, deed, and homework, they raise a number of fascinating moral and ethical questions regarding personal freedom. While this article certainly peers into their doings from the perspective of an outsider, it admits that the real answers remain entirely subjective and highly nebulous. Everyone should look at the evidence presented and formulate their own personal opinion of the matter.

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98 Comments on “10 Strictest College Campuses: 10 Unbelievably Strict College Campuses”  (RSS)

  1. Hmmmm. Lost people (that are not born again) and those who are Christian in name only, and do not love Jesus Christ, can and will not understand someone who wants to build Christian character in their life. Therefore this discussion is very wearying. It is about people that hate Christ, love the worldliness and debauchary of this world and are only concerned about their “rights” to do sin. They can’t begin to understand those WHO CHOOSE to go to a Christian university. To the lovers of this world: Yeah, these schools are not perfect, but at least they have the student’s Christian walk in mind. Keep in mind, it would be easier for these schools to say, “do what you want.” They are trying. Good people get something out of what these schools are trying to do. Rebellious lost people get nothing.

  2. No TEA???? What about people like me with throat issues?

  3. NOT even accurate. I went to ORU and two of my children as well. They try to teach young adults how to dress in the business world when I went. They are definitely much more lax now – the girls are fine wearing pants (modesty is suggested). Makeup – really? Where did you get your information? We all wore makeup, etc. You should research before you post something. It is a choice for the student to go there, they aren’t forced.

  4. All colleges, whether religious or secular, conservative or liberal, have written codes of conduct for their students and faculty. For any college that you are considering, know before you go. The biggest problem I have with the article is the lack of references to sources to support the claims that are made. The best approach is to research the college yourself and make your decsision. Quite honestly, speaking as a Christian myself, attending a private Christian college is not always the best choice depending on your career path.

    • I Attended LMU in Los Angeles we do to have strict rules about clothes we can wear pants So nyah nyah yah

  5. Just so you guy who are whining about people not having freedom: These students CHOOSE to attend these colleges in full awareness of their rules. No one is being coerced into paying thousands of dollars to go if they don’t want to. Isn’t that what freedom means: choosing what you want to do and suffering the consequences for your actions.

    • I attended Pensacola Christian College in the early 1980’s. The admission office refused to release the student handbook until one signed on the dotted line, feet on campus for semester orientation and parents away from campus. To write that students are fully aware of the rules is a twist of the truth and reality.

  6. This article reads like it was written by a the assistant editor of my high school newsletter with a skewed agenda and out dated info…but I enjoyed it. I was kicked out of BJU twice and finally asked to not come back to finish my JR semester. Most of my serious infractions involved demerits for not emptying the trash, not having two feet on the floor at morning light bell, hair touching my eyebrows and humming along to my roommate playing Dust in the Wind on his guitar. All serious and dastardly crimes against the institution. I’ve been asked so many times why I kept returning to such an oppressive environment. I believe the answer lies with how students (like me) were raised. Many who attend the strictest places were either home-schooled or went to hard-line fundy christian schools and churches their whole life. By the time we were ready to graduate and go to college, that important decision, like most others, had either already been made for us or pushed so strongly onto us that we felt there were no other options. Being used to overbearing, micro-managing or fear-based parenting, it is difficult for many kids to realize at that young age that they are actually capable of making their own decisions! You are so used to being controlled that it’s normal or just easier to do what your are told. From my experience, most fundy kids figure this out a few years later than everyone else and finally start making decisions for themselves. I transferred to and a public univ and found it to be a great fit for me, realizing that everything along my journey (both good and bad) helped to make me stronger and teach me about life so…no regrets.

  7. Students choose to attend and have full access to handbooks before making that decision. So if the rules don’t work for you, don’t go there. It’s that simple. Some rules are ridiculous. Some may seem that way to those who don’t adhere to a particular faith. That’s what’s up. I went to Asbury and had no issues. It’s not as strict as it’s portrayed here.

    • So do they follow the rules or not? Because I want to go to Asbury. What rules are they not so strict on?

  8. I forget to mention the school name Christian
    Faith College Largo Florida. Please reply

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    Thank you.

  10. Well I attended Pennsacola and BJU and frankly PCC was much better. At BJU I just couldn’t get any action as the boys are all homosexual or want to be. I transferred to PCC my sophomore year and had a great floor leader. She ate me out the first week I was there and gifted me with my first strap on fucking a few weeks latter. Finally she taught me how to take a hard anal fucking so I would be “ready for a fundie husband some day”. Sure it hurt like hell but if it helps me be a better wife someday isn’t that worth it ? A little bit of bleeding and discomfort is not the end of the world at PCC.

    • I have visited Pensacola Christian College many times and am planning to go there this fall. I have met people that go to PCC and they have all said only good things about it. I love the Godly atmosphere it gives, and completely disagree with you. I’m very sorry that Pensacola was such a horrible experience for you but keep it to yourself. You were assaulted and hurt by what that person did to you, and, rightfully, you should be, but I doubt someone like that could be a true Christian, and if they were, they were not in Gods will. I assure you, not all Christian are like that. I am a Christian, and I would never dream of doing something like that to someone. I will be praying for you and I pray that God works in your life and makes you realize that saying nasty words about something is not going to take away the scars of what someone did to you, or the anger that results from it. Only God can do that.

    • Extremely vulgar!!!
      I can tell from what you wrote, you were definitely enrolled at the wrong college. So sorry for everyone you had contact with.

    • Anallisa you are extremely vulgar! Sickening!!!

    • I went to the definitely not religious university of Iowa State University years ago. But even there the use of the f word would have resulted in expulsion from class. And obviously the floor leader used her position’s power to sexually abuse you. This, unfortunately is a perk of many religious institutions.

    • Really? You attended both? But you don’t have a thing to say about either of them. Interesting. So your homosexual act, you play up, because there is something about you that shows a defiant hard heart. You said you couldn’t get laid at BJU, and PCC was way better because of your homosexual play. You have no ability to see what life is about, and your priorities are all messed up. It is painful to hear your values.

  11. The last one about Liberty isn’t even true. I often hang out in large groups without a chaperon at like 2am.

  12. For one year, I attended a college that was, easily, as strict as any of the above. If you EVER want to be in a highly sexually-charged atmosphere, these are the places to be. Sex is frequent, furious, and freaky. If your radar is accurate, it will not take you long to bag a highly-repressed freak. Sex that is forbidden and secretive just makes it all the more exciting.

  13. put a sock in it. these are adults who may have attended high schools where,they like myself,was paddled for minor mistakes. they as adults need freedom to make own choices.

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  16. Ten. That’s how many of those regulations mentioned in the synopsis I broke while attending the sixth college on this list.

  17. Adding onto my last post… you must have been reading a 40 year old manual when you wrote this stuff about Asbury. A long time ago– yes, it was a very conservative campus. But it’s greatly changed now.

  18. Okay, I am here just to argue about one thing…

    Asbury College/University.
    __________________________
    You make it out to seem way worse than it is. Of course, the handbook does too. But let me clear up a few things as I attend college there myself.

    “Possessing legal pornography, light to moderate drinking (even non-alcoholic versions of beer or cocktails), gambling, premarital or extramarital sex (regardless of whether or not the latter take place within an open relationship), dressing immodestly, supporting or practicing religious beliefs in line with the “occult” (with the lines of what constitutes such practices never explicitly stated), using profanity, tobacco, engaging in or supporting homosexuality, and having or supporting abortions are also very much in violation of the school’s strict moral guidelines.”

    -Pornography– duh.
    -Drinking, also duh, they just actually monitor it here.
    -Underage gambling is also against the law (and also gives into the sin of greed)
    -Sex (do I really need to explain?)
    -Dressing immodestly (oh no, you’re not allowed to dress like a slut and show off your “assets” to the entire student body)
    -Supporting or practicing religious beliefs in line with “occult” (This is not entirely true. The college actually will accept you no matter whatever religion you are, even if you are atheist. The only won’t allow it if you practice satanism (for obvious reasons) or anything with sacrificing, pretty much.)
    -Using Profanity, really, it isn’t allowed in any K-12 school, and they don’t want people cussing their heads off here. But honestly, the teachers and student body are just as lenient about the rule as they are in K-12 schools.
    -Tobacco, it’s a smoke free campus, just like NKU is now. No more needs to be said.
    -Engaging in or Supporting Homosexuality, this one is tricky. No, they do not allow engaging in it, and I honestly think that’s not something good. BUT, if you are homosexual, they won’t kick you off campus. They also will not do anything to you for supporting it– as they follow Christ’s example in loving everyone and not judging others for their beliefs. Same reason why you’re allowed to practice pretty much any religion and go here.
    -Having or Supporting Abortions, similar to the last one. You’re not supposed to be having sex in the first place, for one…. and the campus is primarily pro-life, yes. But once again, if you believe in supporting them or neutral, they won’t do anything to you or criticize you. It’s your belief.

    Now on to the next part. As for dancing– it is entirely allowed. The handbook gives the wrong message in this part; dancing is not allowed in groups if it is /suggestive or sultry./ They try to limit large dancing gatherings because they, of course, cannot monitor everyone to make sure they are following that rule. But people can dance randomly if they want at any time of course– as long as you’re not grinding your boyfriend or getting “down low,” you’re good.

    As for chapel, yeah, it’s mandatory. It’s part of the college’s curriculum, just like a class, due to the college aiming for both academic AND spiritual growth. And if you have to miss– which many do at one point or another– you get 8 free chapel skips. It is NOT frowned upon if you do not attend other Christian things like church– simply suggested. They’re not going to hunt you down or anything. I don’t even go to church anywhere around campus.

    Movies– again, the handbook gave the wrong message. That rule only applies to PUBLIC showings of movies, like if a student run organization wanted to have a movie night on the green for the student body. They just don’t want you showing /Friday the 13th/ or anything, due to the content. BUT, they do not have any rules against you watching them on your own, or even on things like violent video games. Tons of guys here have Call of Duty and Halo, Skyrim and Gears of War, heck, many have Mortal Kombat and Devil May Cry. That rule ONLY applies to publicly shown movies.

    And finally…
    “Students hoping to visit any friends of the opposite sex must receive permission from their families and keep it on file with the school as well.”

    This is EXTREMELY uninformed. It should be “Students hoping to visit any friends of the opposite sex IN THEIR DORM ROOMS can visit on Fridays.” You don’t have to get permission from families, no files kept. Students are allowed in each others’ hall lobbies at any time during the week until midnight, and students of the opposite sex are allowed in each others rooms on Fridays, again until midnight. This rule is just so that, again, we don’t have students doing the dirty on campus. And of course, students can meet ANYWHERE else on or off campus whenever they want.

  19. this is what I think of those colleges They can go f**k a buffalo for all I care how dare they dictate your life

  20. The year I spent attending Pensacola Christian College was the worse year of my life. The campus feels more like a prison than a college. There is a fence with razor wire enclosing the entire campus. They make you go to bed by 11pm every night, even on weekends, no matter what homework projects you may may be working on, no matter what, no exceptions, unless you want demerits. They love to give demerits there and everyone is encouraged to be a snitch. They make you go to chapel church services every single day, and some days you have to go to church more than once, the only exception is if you are sick enough to be in the infirmary. They make you attend a formal dinner every night and make you dress up for dinner too. They also require the students to dress up for all morning classes, no matter what the class was too. Women have to wear a dress or skirt and hose most of the time. The men and women have their own elevators, must not be together in isolated areas, cannot swim together, even at the beach. They have separated beaches for the men and women. You aren’t allowed to have any music by a contemporary artist or anything with even the slightest beat. You aren’t allowed to have your own opinions about anything and creativity and individuality is totally stifled. This was not a good recipe for being a successful artist. They do not prepare you for the real world unless you want to work at and be totally immersed in a strict, judgmental and very dogmatic church for your whole life.

    I accumulated more than 100 demerits during my first year and because of this, they did not allow to me to return the following year. The demerits for infractions such as not wearing hose to dinner, being late to church, being late to class, staying up after 11 pm lights out to work on my art homework projects, etc.

    The main thing I learned from my year there was how to be sneaky. That’s what you have to do in order to survive there.

    Even if you are a staunch conservative fundamentalist christian, I would not recommend attending Pensacola Christian College.

    • Geez. It really sucks that you went to such an awful college. Theese rules are ridiculous, esp. when they prohibit homosexuality while prohibiting interaction with the opposite sex. As for the dress code, it sounds old fashioned and sexist. Good job elarning to sneak though…

    • Stacy!

      I went to PCC in the early 80’s. I barely made it through a semester. An upper classman lied and told the dean that I had “looked at a male student in a sexual manner” while walking home from chapel and was campused w/in the first weeks there. It was absolute bullshit, but because I had short hair( girl) I guess I wasn’t godly enough They are doing more damage to the kids that have no idea what they’re getting into. Like that other poster, we weren’t able to read the handbook until the day we arrived. Ugh. Still having nightmares.

  21. An aquiantance who attended Bob Jones U told me that she was forced to accept an offer to go on a date with a guy she wasn’t interested in because by not doing so she might miss the opportunity to meet the future mate God intended for her. However, the rule only worked one way. Guys did not have to accept dates with interested women.

    What a way to treat women like children incapable of making their own decisions!

    • There has never been a rule like that there. You date who you want. Turn down who you want. Maybe that person had an dumb immature friend. Don’t make a rumor about it.

  22. If you honestly think that the way these colleges are conducting themselves and imposing religion upon students is a good thing, well then I don’t know. You’re a different kind of stupid. I know that not all Christian colleges and universities are this strict and can be good. However, these organizations listed in this article are forcing students to live by ridiculously strict rules and I don’t see how anyone can think this is the right way to live.
    College is not supposed to be your babysitter, it is a learning experience meant to prepare you for the way the world is. Society may indeed be corrupt, but Christianity is no better. The Catholic Church, for example… If you think that sheltering yourself in colleges such as these is a good way to prepare for the world, then you’re absolutely wrong. No one is going to forbid interracial or homosexual relationships, no one is going to forbid occult religions, no one is going to forbid fornication, and you won’t be able to handle that.
    I am not a follower of Christianity nor do I have a problem with that, but these establishments are making the entire religion look crazed and judgmental… Just sayin’.
    These places really need to get it together, damn.

    • I totally agree. Look at history. Look at the corrupt Catholic Church, and look at how many pastors are child molesters. Seriously.

  23. you people that are hatin on the Christian colleges are so corrupted by the devil that you think goin out drinkin, “havin a good time”, aborting babies, sex outside of marriage, and the overall stupidity that youre involved in is what really makes you happy. everybody who reads this will be without excuse when they get o the Great White Throne judgment before God. i really hope if youre not saved that this eats away at your consciene soo much that you cant live like that anymore and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ…John 3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should NOT perish, but have everlasting life…so it doesnt matter who you are, what youve done or whatever you case is, God wants to and will save you if you only call on His name.

    • I went to a Catholic University in Los Angeles and they do not have rules like that sothere

    • Wow. You sure do sound like the typical judgemental fundamentalist type that writes these student handbook!

  24. Cedarville University should be on this list… it’s more strict than Liberty.

  25. Whoever wrote this had the facts waaaay off about Liberty U. As a former student from 2010-2012, I can attest that convocation wasn’t required, students could hang out in mixed groups on and off campus, and ‘public signs of affection’ are commonplace, and I’m not talking about hand-holding. I’m thinking that the author of this either made up some bs to get people riled, or got his hands on a 40yr-old student manual. Either way, check your facts before you publish.

  26. I went to Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles and the school is laid back we can have alcohol on campus go to dance clubs if we want to,so I say this GO F**K yourself you religious nuts

  27. I attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles They don’t have strict rules lie BJU which I think is a little extreme If I want to go to Dance Clubs or a bars I will Let them try to stop me because I will Tell to where to go and how to get there

  28. In America, people can express their opinions and say what they want. So go ahead and get offended on the internet because someone you don’t even know wrote down the rules of strict colleges and made snarky comments about them. Be offended but remember that nobody cares you’re offended.

    Jesus drank wine. He turned water into wine.
    He let a known to be unclean woman wash his feet with perfume.
    He let people reach out and touch him because to touch him was to touch life and forgiveness, no matter their past or present.

    God created dance.
    God created sex.
    God created happiness and laughter.
    God created the creativity within human beings.
    When you look at little children laughing, or animals playing, or men and women gathering together to talk and experience the presence of others, you’re witnessing God at work. We’re MADE in God’s image, and so the things we feel and do were felt by God first!

    Now of course in the Bible he warns against sins, things that weren’t made by his own creation, but by the fall of mankind and free will. But people need to remember that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and casting people out of a school because they don’t meet excessive regulations aren’t bringing them any closer to God. If anything, it’s pushing them further away because they feel even more separated from God.

    I know a boy who went to a very hypocritical high school. They claimed to preach the message of God, but in his hour of need, while he struggled with substance abuse and depression, they kicked him out of the school. He transferred to public school where he had no friends and even less support and encouragement from faculty/students, and two months later he shot himself.

    God didn’t make us to reject each other. He made us to love each other and him.

    So quit whining about some article some guy wrote on the internet 3 years ago about the strict standards set forth by some colleges and start asking yourself- do these standards actually bring people closer to God or are they pushing us further away?

    Because some might say that the strict rules only serve to lead people away.

    • Welcome to America, what a statement! Thanks for the timely reminder of how far we’ve come. Welcome to a place where God’s very attributes are slandered and blasphemed. Welcome to a nation who makes each individual feel entitled to make his own god based on his opinion. Woe be unto a civilization who rejects the counsel of the Holy One, and would none of his reproof! America as a whole is definitely not a good indicator of God’s standards as displayed in the nature of his Son and set forth in his commands.

      Some food for thought…

      Regardless of popular opinion, political correctness, or the ideas of major theologians, truth is always truth. It always has been, and always will be. If the truth is found in the Bible, abide in it, and depart not from it. Choose this day whom you will serve, and if you will serve the Lord, beware, lest you make the grace of our God into Lasciviousness.(see Joshua 24:15, Jude 1:4, Romans 16:17)

      If a disciple of Christ becomes odious to others because of the radical measures that Christ calls us to, he will have followed the footsteps of his master; indeed, what else could be expected of him? If an institution dedicated to the service of Christ becomes abhorred by those who don’t serve Christ, this might suggest that it is doing something right – not always, just sometimes.

    • Beautifully said!!

  29. HA!!! I am currently attending Liberty, and the rules are so laid back… at least half the student body goes out late night and weekends… gets messed up, and gets it with someone, theres plenty of ways around the rules, school is pretty fake

  30. Wow, the writer of this article is very intolerant. Here are private colleges that want to set
    their own standards, and this writer makes fun of them as hopelessly pathetic.
    While some rules are debatable, yet this writer seems to think
    that these colleges should countenance clearly un-Biblical behaviors,
    such as premarital sex, pornography, etc. because
    they are legal. There are many things that are legal that are morally wrong, and
    I am glad that the author is not in charge of a Christian college because
    he would allow an environment that would dishonor the name of Christ.
    Thankfully, Christian colleges provide a better environment than secular campuses.
    They help stem the tide of STD’s, date rape, the dangers of substance abuse, etc.,
    and I would rather put up with some questionably strict rules if that meant that
    my child would be at a place which is much safer and God-honoring. No college is perfect,
    and everyone is a sinner, but it is much better to have standards (standing for something morally
    right), rather than having anything go and reaping the consequences of debauchery,
    both in this life and in the next.

    • AMEN Nick, you preach it!

      If you want to be a Christian, go to a Christian school if possible. If you want to have a Christian school, make it conform to Biblical principles as much as possible. If you make it conform to Biblical principles, it will be considered politically incorrect, and will be shut down as soon as possible.

      Just my humble, unbiased opinion.

  31. My daughter graduated from Asbury this year. Her brothers asked her how she could live with all the rules. She said, as a Christian that’s how I live my life anyway. She worked a part time job, attended church, volunteered at a local organization, was on a school team and carried a course load of 15 to 19 hours while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. How could she possibly have had the time to worry about not being able to see a R rated movie or go clubbing. She did meet some students who were unhappy with Asbury for various reasons, like any students at any college. Restrictions only cause problems for those who don’t agree with the lifestyle. Which brings up the question – Why go there if you don’t fit?

    Jerry, I’m sorry you and your wife had problems at Asbury. You might want to take a closer look at everything that was going on at the time. From my own experience, when you walk away from God it usually has to do with decisions you have made and not lack of motivation or dedication. I walked away 15 years ago and still have not come back but there were many factors involved. It might be time for a look at the past before blaming a school for your wife’s lack of faith Just saying.

    • Often parents make that choice, not the students. The power is usually slanted in the parents favor, particularly in highly religious homes. My mother’s beliefs were disliked, so when I became an orphan I was put into foster care by my family and forbidden to speak with my cousins or brother; I was a gateway for satan to taint them.. at 12 years old. To try to fix me, I was taken to a church, beat, water thrown on me, dragged to a stage and forced to confess things I’d never done. Do you think I’d have argued about a college? A church I was told to attend?

  32. I chose to attend Pensacola Christian College, nobody forced me. I’ve also chosen to go back this Fall because it follows the Bible and the rules discourage wrong things so it is Much easier to make right decisions! If you want information about these schools, do your homework by going straight to the source. http://www.pcci.edu/
    Honestly, this is lazy journalism. You aren’t writing truth, you are writing opinion.

  33. Wow, imagine that. Institutions promoting morality in an immoral society. For this, I say thank you. Treating free-willed adults as if petulant children incapable of forging their own individual perceptions, decisions, and behaviors….. The decision to use alcohol and tobacco kills nearly 500,000 Americans a year, the porn industry destroys millions, and how many die from abortion. Just because something is legal, does not make it right, nor does it protect society. Are these people protected?, No, they are dead! I could go on, but…. today’s society are those who want to ban guns because they kill people, yet want to drink, smoke, and do whatever the hell they want because its there right. Again, how many die every year from alcohol and tobacco? Yet, a fraction of that die from guns. Is there something wrong here? Free thinkers, thanks!

  34. I agree strongly with Tara. I attended Asbury for my first 2 years of college and met my wife there. We married after she graduated. She would not entertain any of our children going to Asbury. Especially for women it was very restrictive. For instance: (1) in your room and don’t come back out after 10:30pm; (2) she was 20 and we both had to get permission for her to visit my family 35 miles away, permission from her mother and from my grandmother to go to Grandma’s house; (3) we had our social privileges removed for 2 weeks because she rubbed my shoulder while I was laying on the school grounds as she was sitting on the ground next to me. As part of this I had to see the Dean of Men and he told me of a couple who rubbed against each other until bad things happened — apparently he was expecting me to admit the same (4) One time in a private setting in a social area for couples to spend time she sat on my lap — we were told by a person representing the college this was inappropriate behavior; (5) chapel attendance was required and attendance taken and I believe 2 misses meant disciplinary action (6) guys and girls were not allowed to swim together although I believe this has changed (7) Very little help was provided if you needed help in academics, although one of the college missions is to provide help to those in KY who had inferior high school experiences (6) It was extremely rule oriented – it was about following the rules and not about development and transformation as a responsible ethical who loved God and Christ. When I transferred from Asbury to the University of Kentucky, I found professors at UK to be nicer, more involved in my learning, more supportive, more Christian, and more ethical than my Asbury experience. One of my professors at UK went to my church (Southern Hills in Lexington), another of my UK professors dedicated his life to improve conditions for the poor in South America. My experience is that Asbury failed to portray the Christian faith in a serious way because She became more interested in the rules than the outcomes (Paul made a big deal of this in the bible). I’m bruised by the experience yet my wife was forever changed. She came from a wonderful Christian church in Atlanta with tremendous faith, knowledge, and ability. She had read many Christian books and had a wonderful library of these books. Since Asbury, I don’t believe that she has read one new such book. When asked why not, her response is always that she lost a lot of her motivation and dedication for faith development because of the Asbury rules — you were not allowed to grow up into responsible adulthood. I wish that I could say that Asbury was an inspiration for my ethics and for the transformation in life’s journey but I have to say that came from my church experience, my family, UK, and other experience. I regret to say that it was not from the Asbury experience. Both my wife and I are hurt!

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  37. It’s interesting how no one stops to consider how small their God & “free will” must be in order to need such standards. If merely one look at “offensive” material is more powerful than the exalted Holy canons, your God sounds as defenseless against “the Devil” as you are.

    It’s similarly interesting how people choose which laws & pieces of the Bible they will follow. They rally behind the 10 Commandments, but when asked about their own practices, they quickly throw up the New Testament. Of course, Jesus advocated The Commandments, not hip, redesigned for 2012, laws. When so-called Christians give up murder & pork; & they begin smoting doves, I might start believing them.

    • You are on a totally different subject. You don’t like Biblical standards. Got it. So in light of that, just free-will yourself to a very secular college. No one is stopping you.

  38. You should consider Faulkner Univsersity for one of these top 10.

  39. 1st of all – we agree to go to these strict schools. The students realize that they will be under strict rule. Sure, we get frustrated with the rules, but the vast majority of the time, we are too busy to really notice or care. I have yet to understand why people go out of their way to attack our schools when the rules do not affect them in any way whatsoever. What’s your motive? Attempting to undermine everything I believe in? Thanks for that…
    2nd – Just because something is legal doesn’t make it good for you. Smoking is legal, but people die from it. It is for our own health and safety that these rules are in place: rules which we WILLINGLY submit to.
    So next time you choose to attack our schools (speaking more to some of the comments than the actual article), check your sources. You heard about how bad these schools are from people who got kicked out? Oh, I’m sorry, you must know so much more than the current students and those who have graduated and are leading great lives…

  40. I know people are given the choice/make the decision to attend these schools, but they just sound so old-fashioned and boring. What do the students do when they’re not in classes? Probably just pray around the clock and go to church (:::sarcasm face::: so fun!!! I bet they’re a lively and entertaining bunch).

  41. And Another note. Those of you who are saying “Oh SOMEBODY has to set standards for the youth.” Guess what? No they really don’t. So even if we (younger generation) are unholy, damned, and reckless WE have the right to be and i am proud to be invoking my first amendment rights, at this moment by stating my very valid oppinion because I CAN.

  42. All of you commenting on this comment box are complete fools have you not forgotten what country you live in it’s the United States people. (IF you live somewhere else then you should not know what most of these colleges are anyways because they are in the U.S) This country has set its standards and limitations and guess what the four founding fathers said my dear friends,

    “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

    Guess what these colleges are wrong to force students to suppress their governing rights that were written long before most of these colleges where even developed.

    DO you know what these strict colleges are invoking by making these kinds of religious standards? let me spell it out for you PROSELYTISM. Look it up.

    Whether you are the religion these campuses represent or not. IT IS WRONG. Religion is a choice not a punishment and certainly it is not a requirement if I am not mistaken by my own logic as well as using the bible as a reference would God really want you to be FORCED and REQUIRED to worship him in the ways others want you too? Or would he rather you come to him of your own free will and respect him because you want to not because you have to.

    Just food for thought. I’ll leave you with a quote to ponder.

    ” Those who speak and act to offend may be “jackasses” etc. but those who curtail their rights are guilty of stupidities.” This was in Roger Rosenblatt in his essay “We are Free to Be You, Me, Stupid and Dead”

    (If you do not understand that quote.) That basically means being a jackass and expressing your self is better than being idiotic enough to try to stop them because of the First Amendment.

    • Duh, then don’t go to a religious institution. Go to one with all the vices and perversions. You have the right to choose that type.

  43. Um, we dance at ORU. Where did you hear that we couldn’t?!?! As a matter of fact, I’m taking a dance class currently! They offer many different styles and levels of dance. It is not discouraged at all!

  44. I do not see why people judge these schools so harshly… as a non-christian I still think that these colleges are not wrong. They are advertised as Christian schools so it would be assumed that it would be mainly Christian people would be attending them. You do, as an adult, have the right to transfer if a school does not fit your lifestyle. Also, Dami, Sodom and Gamorah was only said to be evil because they tried to A) rape two visitor (angels mind you) 2) they were gluttonous in their behavior 3) I am pretty darn sure that a gay man was NOT on the committee for writing the Bible 4) the bible also condemns women for having a period.. (I did study the Bible)

  45. strict rules can actually push one from God. go to freethoughtpedia and look up PCC and read the review of a former student

    • I only partly agree with that; rules put in place by God are often considered to be strict. Rules above and beyond that can get in between us and God, but condoning behavior that goes against His ways is very dangerous.

      Just my humble, unbiased opinion; take it or leave it.

  46. I got to Oral and they don’t follow you around but they are strict, I have piercings and I’ve been told to put clear retainers in during class and school events. And was to that if I wear modest clothing my tattoos should not be a problem.

  47. Dami, 1) “Some book says so” doesn’t justify anything. 2A) A proper reading of the Sodom story shows that the sin that was committed was inhospitality to strangers – Jesus also sites Sodom in this context, 2B) Lot’s daughters are offered up to the strangers – is this an example of morality? Again, “some book says so” doesn’t provide a justification of anything. 3) If God destroyed a city because there were some gay people there, the takeaway shouldn’t be that homosexuality is wrong, the takeaway should be that the Old Testament God is an evil monster who at best needs to be disobeyed and at worst needs to be destroyed. Your moral compass seems to be spinning. I wonder if it’s the product of a fundamentalist Christian school (mine was formed at Catholic schools and cheering the murder of alleged gay people was never on the syllabus). Your argument is no better than saying something is right because it’s in Mein Kampf or saying that Western values are wrong because they upset Osama bin Laden so much he destroyed some buildings. An act isn’t good because God does it – a being can only be God if it only does good acts. If your God did these things (and science shows Sodom was the victim of a meteor strike, not magic) that makes your God evil and you should be ashamed to be promoting evil and defending the murder of gay people. I’d be more concerned about how easily you’re manipulated into defending mass murder and less about cheering on places that prohibit dancing or chewing gum.

    • To whom it may concern,

      I would strongly caution you to know he whom you so boldly challenge, and if you charge a holy God with unrighteousness, take note that it shall be accounted of in the day of your calamity. Please, be wise!

  48. The bible is the guideline to these rules. They are christain schools and everybody there must not only act like one but be one.
    Premarital sex is wrong,the bible clearly states so amongst other things. Homosexuality is also wrong,because it upset God to the extent of destroying sodom and gomorah. I laud these schools and urge them to bring moral decadence to the beareßt minimum. God bless

  49. I go to Oral Roberts University. We can have/get tattoos, we don’t have to attend church at all if we don’t want to. What do you think they do? follow you to church? And we can definitely dance. hahaha I have no idea where you came up with that one. People can have jobs with alcohol or tobacco. The only strict rule they have is drinking and they won’t kick you out if they find out you drank. People have parties all the time. It’s obviously not an awesome college to go to if you don’t want rules, but it’s not NEARLY as strict as 90 percent of the christian colleges out there.

  50. A lot of the comments here seem to be objecting to what the author said by defending these schools. However, this article doesn’t actually say that these schools are bad – just that they are very strict, which they are. In the introduction of this article, many questions were raised, and no answers for any of them were argued for in the main body of the text. It was merely noted that “many outside the affiliated fundamentalist organizations may look over their rules and find their jaws dropping”.

    Since, as was noted in the introduction, “it usually remains the students’ choice to partake of such environments”, I don’t think that we can disapprove of these schools on ethical or legal grounds. I think that the questions that we really need to ask are (a) whether students are better off if they attend these schools, and (b) whether we ought to encourage students to attend these schools. Clearly, the answer to (b) will depend on the answer to (a).

    I don’t think that students are better off if they attend these schools. First, living under such strict rules has detrimental consequences. Outright banning everything that can be dangerous to someone’s health and character leaves much less room for students to learn moderation. I imagine that most people know about the tendency of people who live in extremely sheltered and restrictive environments to ‘go wild’ as soon as these restrictions are removed and they realise how much freedom they have, because they never learnt self-control. If students go from a strict household (as I suppose most of these students do) to a strict school, they will have no chance to learn true self-control. Rather, they will be dependant on their belief in God to serve as a sort of eternal chaperone, which I think is unhealthy.

    On a related note, outright banning things often just makes them more appealing. If you tell your kids what smoking does to their lungs, they won’t even *want* to smoke. If you give your kids a firm understanding of probability, they won’t even *want* to gamble. If you tell them honestly what excessive use of alcohol does to people, they won’t *want* to get wasted. If, however, you only ensure that they grow up in an environment where these are banned, this only serves to increase their allure should they ever break free from the strict and dogmatic rules that you place to limit their actions.

    By banning both entirely harmless things (eg violent movies) and more harmful things (eg smoking, alcohol without moderation) with the same strictness, these schools create an awful situation where students who have the intelligence and insight necessary to see that the ban on the harmless items is a load of rubbish may likewise think that the harmful things will be OK, too. Even if this situation only befalls a small proportion of the students who attend, it is bad enough that it is a significant threat. Incidentally, the D.A.R.E. program doesn’t work for precisely this reason – it doesn’t teach kids that cocaine is worse than beer.

    Second, since only very strict Christians will be attending these schools, students won’t have as much exposure to other points of view unless they actively seek them out. Seeing (or participating in) vigorous debates where practically nothing is held as a common assumption between the opposing debaters is a great way to develop someone’s intellectual capabilities, especially critical thinking skills. Will students at uber-Chritstian universities have this? Probably not.

    Third, many of these rules ban things that aren’t dangerous (eg dancing, scary or violent movies, and sex so long as the people involved know what they are doing and all proper precautions are used) and that are a lot of fun. Students at these schools are missing out.

    In conclusion, I don’t think that students are better off if they go to these schools, and I would not encourage anyone to do so.

  51. I read the qualifications for these schools and got to thinking about it seriously.
    Lets see,,, marry a girl from a christian college who has conducted herself appropriately, has good manners, no baggage, no std`s, is modest and will make a good wife and mother. OR a girl from State college,, who has photos of herself posted , throwign up drunk in a men`s bathroom, has slept with numerous other men, a couple of abortions behind her, and had sex with strangers on spring break because she was drunk and had to take penecilin afterward, then had to lie to her future husband about it all… mmmm i`lll take the girl from the christian college,, thanks. go Michigan State!

    • you know, just as there are Christians who behave badly, there are secular women who have higher standards. I’m not a Christian and yet I do not have pictures pasted on the internet of myself drunk and naked… I don’t even use Facebook or alcohol. Probably a shock, but I not only know how to cook and clean, I also do the home repairs, budget,renovations, I sew and I’m active with several charities, many Christian. I’m an army vet who went into humanitarian work when I left the army, honorably. I’ve never had an STD, nor have I had an abortion.. in fact I’ve offered to adopt 3 children at my own expense to give other women an additional option. My marriage has lasted almost 11 years so far, I have no illegitimate children and I have never been an embarrassment to my husband. Nor have I lied to him about my history; including the fact that I’m a divorcee from an arranged marriage at barely 16 to a man I’d met twice, arranged to keep me out of trouble.
      I know it’s frustrating to have people object to aspects of your lifestyle and faith, but I don’t think responding with condescending bias is helpful. If your happy with your life, enjoy it… your clearly not hurting anyone and therefore absolutely entitled to that choice; and for many that way of life makes people better. But please don’t judge women by their sex life or their religion, as people like me will not judge you by the same nor by your faith. Giving into that division will never bring peace.

  52. The most important thing to remember is that each person attending these schools is a responsible adult. If they have agreed to attend the college, then they have agreed to live by the rules laid out by the college for the duration of their time there. Many colleges with rules similar to these have their students sign a form stating that they have read the rules and agree to live by them – mine did. If such is the case with these schools, then it cannot be argued that they are in anyway unfair in strictly enforcing the rules. Also, the writer makes it sound as if the faculty of these schools were placing the students under arbitrary rules that go beyond reason. But most, if not all, of these schools require their faculty to live up to the same or stricter standards – standards that the faculty and the school believe are right. It is not unreasonable for them to expect the students attending a Christian college to live up to the standards lai out for them.

  53. There’s a long thread on the forums at home-school.com about Pensacola Christian College by a former student who thinks it’s a cult, and it’s not accredited. People who attend strict colleges probably do so because they prefer a stricter environment. Some people feel safer if there isn’t a lot of drinking and other rowdiness going on.

  54. Tara, I’m sorry to hear you had such a negative experience at Asbury. Let’s hope your RA didn’t pursue a career in counseling. To offer a different perspective, I graduated from Asbury in the 90’s, lived by the rules, and benefited from being part of a voluntary community that generally did the same–not out of fear or self-righteousness, but because of the high value they placed on faith and community. Yes, the limitations on personal freedoms were sometimes onerous, but the tradeoffs, IMO, make the typical American college experience pale in comparison.

  55. I went to Asbury college and for a “Christian” college I have never had such a bad taste in my mouth for a group of people. I was on full scholarship (or would have never atteneded the school),and I was aware of all these policies and followed them. However was shocked at the unchristian like behavior these “christains” held. Im not talking about breaking these rules, Im talking about snobishly being on the look for anyone that might be breaking these rules and falesly accusing them. Case in point: I had been dating the same guy for over three years. (We had not had sex for those who was wondering) I was on the phone with him in my dorm room and my RA overheard our conversation. I had said “I love you.” and we hung up the phone. She told me that I was uncapable of loving because i had not experienced “Gods Love.” How rude of her to think she knows my life and that I had not experienced Gods love! Who is she to judge!? AND, IF I had not experienced Gods love, Why doesnt she try to show me instead of disipline me when I did nothing wrong!!!!!! I could go on and about more experiences like this during my 2 and a half years at this horrible place. I would not refer it to anyone!!!! I always go by the philiosiphy that “people dont care how much you know until they know how much you care.” So Asbury, Stop preaching with your snobby attitudes and start caring about the people you preach too….you might actually gets Gods message accross that way. Feel free to email me at [email protected]

  56. I attended Asbury in the early 2000s, and I think some rules have changed since then. As one of the underground liberal minority at the college, I disagreed with almost all the guidelines. However, I don’t think it’s quite as strict as some of the other colleges on this list, notably 1 – 3. Academically, it was quite decent, and some professors were very open-minded.

    Stephen, I think the writers’ point about The Passion of the Christ is that we weren’t supposed to watch any R-rated movies, yet we were heavily encouraged to watch The Passion of the Christ. I was there when the movie came out, and I remember some other students calling me “unspiritual” because I chose not to watch the movie with them. Go figure.

  57. I attended Asbury for four years, the handbook is terribly written, but the rules are not as strict as they are presented here. I don’t know what they are trying to prove by stating the fact that The Passion was rated R for violence in their description. Seems irrelevant to me.

    Maybe this list should just be 10 Strict Christian Colleges? Oddly left out are West Point Academy, Air Force Academy and other military schools. Certainly they are more strict and arbitrary in their rules than some of the schools here.

  58. I attended Liberty from 99-01 and it was great. There wasnt anything there that drove me crazy. The articles goal is to make you think some of these colleges are creating robots and the students walk around with bibles in one arm and a notebook in the other. Convocation was not that big of a deal…it was actually pretty cool. You choose to goto these places and you definately visit them and see if it fits what you want a few years of your life to be a part of. But unless you go, you cant mock it because you havent even been there or checked it out. There are a few on this list that are over the top in their rules, like Bob Jones and Pensacola. I know several students who attended these schools and went nuts due to teh strictness of the rules….alot of them transferred to Liberty. LU is now one of the largest christian colleges in teh US, if not the largest. Nobody is perfect, no matter what school. There are always going to be kids that break rules….i went to parties were kids were drinking alcohol. God tried to strike me with lightning for being there but he missed….lol jk The rigor is tough and the women are drop dead gorgeous…but bottom line, they are human and live life very similar to everyone else, they just do it in a bit of a different way. Most are Christians, majority of them from teh south and alot of them are athletes. Sports is taken seriously and we do very well in the Div One level….Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow etc…these are outstanding Christian athletes/men and went to secular schools…you dont have to be christian and goto to a christian college to stay christian….some students like the positive atmosphere and some just like the location…everyone has their own preference. But you cant’ get upset and blame teh school if you enroll and dont check out the requirements first…..BYU is a great school….not a fan of mormonism, but the students that are there are great kids for the most part.

  59. Actually…the standards for Brigham Young University are slightly off. Camping trips with the opposite sex aren’t strictly forbidden; they’re just discouraged. And students coloring their hair is definitely not banned….just unnatural colors are – like a student couldn’t dye their hair green for instance.

  60. @hlysht .. I’m sure they don’t.

  61. hahaha what a joke, and you call yourselves civilized.

  62. Also, you’re a little too sarcastic in your sentences. If Jesus were alive, why wouldn’t he want people to volunteer in nursing homes? Their lives suck. I know I’d want someone to visit me. And in your rush to condemn schools that ban stuff that the book they’re led by tells them is wrong and sinful, you left out the worse stuff. I can’t believe you missed out on Bob Jones U finally lifting their ban on interracial dating JUST ten years ago. That seems a tiny bit stricter than telling Christians to come to church once or twice a week.

  63. I read the comments first, and assumed that they were being prudes. Reading the article, I’m finding myself agreeing. These are CHRISTIAN colleges: did you expect them to accept homosexuality, occultism, and premarital sex? I agree that dancing and such is probably a step to far, but the types of people who go to Christian colleges and the like are probably not as bothered by the restrictions you name. And this is coming from someone who was offered a full scholarship to Liberty U and refused (stricter than this article implies-Biology majors beware, as evolution isn’t even a theory to them). I wouldn’t go to any of these colleges, but you’re giving them more crap than you should.

  64. I see nothing wrong with any of those guidelines. They are private institutions and can set their own policies. If a student applies and is admitted to one of the educational institutions it is safe to assume that they’ve read and have agreed to the guidelines.
    No one is forcing anyone to attend those colleges/universities.

  65. So what’s wrong with what they are doing. They have every right to set the standards they want to set. If you don’t like it find somewhere else to go to college. YAAAY ORU and all the others. Good for them, I applaud them.

  66. “it’s not “man’s” law they are concerned with, its, you know, “His” law.”

    Except “he” isn’t the one setting it; it’s “man” claiming to speak for “him”.

  67. Remember — no one is forcing anyone to go to this college — those who attend are already in agreement with the administration — the writer sound like the school is repressive — it isn’t if you choose to live a prurient life — also the remark about ‘legal pornography ‘ shows the the commentator has no idea of what is going on — it’s not “man’s” law they are concerned with, its, you know, “His” law.

  68. I graduated from ORU, great school! I had to quit dressing slovenly and learned to dress well. The school works to develop what God has put into someone, unlike schools like the Ohio State University, which declared to my entering class their goal to fail you in your first year. Yay secularism!
    Those who attend any religious school, on their own desire, will attend one in line with their personal religious beliefs. Not sure why you find prohibition of Occult practices to be a bad thing for those attending a Christian university.

  69. I wonder how they deal with Darwin’s theory?

  70. Why all the restrictions regarding dancing? I can understand dancing in a lewd manner in clubs being prohibited (not really, actually I can’t understand most of these being prohibited even when it comes to upholding an image of morality) but what about ballet? Ballroom dancing? Folk dancing? All of which are traditional dances and (in my opinion) in no way put the dancer’s morality and purity at risk.
    God forbid someone busts into a Riverdance in the middle of the student union. There’s morality, and then there’s this.

  71. “The point is, in my opinion, someone needs to establish guidelines for our youth.”

    How about… youth? Mature, responsible people are able to think for themselves and moderate their own behavior. Dictatorial societies (from countries to colleges) always invoke claims of protecting people from themselves or the protecting the society, but are always first and foremost about preserving the power structure of an elite and repressing any who might challenge the dogma they use to maintain that control. Like, in this example, students deciding it’s very unlikely that Oral Roberts raised the dead during his ministry, which would make their college named after a liar.

  72. Your paragraph on Oral Roberts University is inaccurate. This is taken from the oru web site –

    “ORU has a dress code which is in effect for classes, chapel and in all academic buildings. The dress can best be described as business casual. In addition, neat jeans and flip flops are allowed in class and chapel. The student body is also expected to maintain a standard of modesty at all times while on campus.” Church attendance is required once a week, but it is not monitored. Neither dancing nor tattoos are forbidden, although some forms of dancing would be inappropriate. And it’s true – men may not wear makeup. The point is, in my opinion, someone needs to establish guidelines for our youth. If you don’t stand for something – you’ll fall for anything.

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