Liberty University was a part of the national conversation last week when it welcomed self-described socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to speak to over 14,000 students at Monday’s convocation.
From wild screams to loud silence the conservative student body and the section of Sanders supporters in the audience reacted to presidential candidate’s message.
Alex Scothill, a Lynchburg College student who attended the event, said he likes Sanders’ stance on college affordability.
“I am somewhat surprised he came to Liberty University because looking at other speakers they have had in the past, he doesn’t really fit that criteria, but I am glad he came because it is a nice change,” Scothill said.
Sanders did not hold back on the issues, right away he brought abortion and gay marriage to the forefront of the conversation.
“The views that many here at Liberty University have and I, on a number of important issues, are very, very different,” Sanders said. “I believe in a woman’s rights…and the right of a woman to control her own body. I believe gay rights and gay marriage. Those are my views, and it is no secret.”
However, he tried to find common ground with Liberty University students, who are known for their conservative Christian values.
“What does it mean to live a moral life?” he asked. “You are a school which tries to teach its students how to behave with decency and with honesty and how you can best relate to your fellow human beings, and I applaud you for trying to achieve those goals.”
Sanders used verses from the Bible to defend his beliefs, invoking Matthew 7:12, which says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do unto to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Sanders said even if he couldn’t agree with the conservative students on abortion and gay marriage, they should be able to agree on the injustice of income inequality in the United States.
“There is no justice when so many have so much, but so many have so little,” he said.
He asked the student body how they could talk about morality while turning their backs on those without healthcare and those living in poverty.
He used another Bible verse, quoting from Amos 5:24, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”
Daniel Rezai, a University of Virginia graduate and Lynchburg native said he agreed with Sanders’ take on income inequality.
“The fact that the top tenth of one percent hold so much more wealth than the rest of our country and that a lot of our economic problems are caused by greed, is very true,” he said. “Even though he is not a Christian he used a lot of biblical references today that I knew about,” Rezai continued. “Jesus Christ talked about inequalities that existed. It seems that no other politician really cares, but Sanders does.”
Sanders concluded his speech with: “Money and wealth should serve the people. The people should not have to serve money and wealth.”
A mix of blank stares and screams followed Sanders off the stage, but nevertheless, the speech ended respectfully at Liberty University.
This article is from Red Alert Politics’ Campus Correspondent Program. Would you like to contribute a story from your school? Apply here to be a Campus Correspondent for RAP!
