HYPOCRISY, BYU STYLE

HYPOCRISY, BYU STYLE
by Timothy Rollins, Editor and Columnist

October 21, 2008

You have to hand it to Brigham Young University's PR Machine. When BYU trips themselves up, they do so spectacularly. In a blatant display of hypocrisy, BYU once again has acted without thinking. BYU's latest self-inflicted buckshot in the foot was their decision to deny Chad Hardy his diploma.

It's important to remember that BYU has the right to select who attends its universities in Utah, Idaho, Hawaii and Jerusalem. In addition, BYU also has a responsibility to provide a safe and spiritually rewarding campus atmosphere for those who attend, which is where the BYU Honor Code comes in. Every BYU student must read and sign this Code in order to attend, and remain, in school. This is done through annual ecclesiastical interviews, usually conducted by the student's bishop and stake president.

With that in mind, I believe there are circumstances where a diploma or continued attendance at BYU - or any other school - should be denied. At BYU, when an LDS student's behavior causes their ecclesiastical leader to withdraw their endorsement for them to attend a Church school - for whatever reason - they have to withdraw from BYU until that endorsement is reinstated. This allows students time to put their lives in order in a private, yet dignified manner. They're encouraged not only to get their act together, but also to determine whether continuing at BYU is best for them. If not, they're always free to transfer elsewhere.

What currently has BYU in a tizzy is the flak generated by their decision to deny Chad Hardy of Las Vegas, Nevada his diploma. Hardy, as we all know, was excommunicated from the LDS Church on July 13th for conduct unbecoming a Church member, some, but not all of which was linked to his 2008 "Men on a Mission" calendar that featured 12 returned missionaries posing with their shirts off. Excommunication in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not imposed arbitrarily; it is generally imposed only in the most severe cases, or when lesser forms of discipline have failed to achieve desired change, and where excommunication offers the best hope for reformation.

Chad Hardy's actions undoubtedly rattled many of the 'uptight-y whiteys' who live along Utah's Wasatch Front. These folks for the most part, are a fringe element who believe in their own right to free choice, but seek to deny that right to others; and who, in effect, possess a Taliban mentality that flies directly in the face of church teachings that recognize the inherent right of individual agency. Agency can be a wonderful blessing when used responsibly. Whether used properly or improperly, the consequences of agency - positive or negative - are inescapable.

Ordinarily, BYU would've been more than justified denying Hardy his diploma; however, the facts remain that Hardy completed his course work in June, BEFORE his excommunication. While BYU would have been in the right to deny him the right to walk through the graduation line on August 15th - which they did not - the fact remains Hardy earned his diploma fair and square, and BYU was wrong to deny Hardy a diploma he earned PRIOR to his excommunication.

As expected, Hardy is fighting this decision tooth-and-nail, and should this go to court, BYU will lose big through the negative publicity acquired through this unjustified and impulsive decision. One easily is left wondering whether or not this action was vetted through the Church Legal Department beforehand, or if it was some administrator making a snap decision in an effort to 'put Hardy in his place.' Don't these bureaucrats ever learn?

While it's important for religious leaders of all faiths to be able to carry out their duties, it needs to be kept in mind that BYU is both an educational as well as a religious institution. Chad Hardy was dealt with through appropriate ecclesiastical channels on the religious side, thus limiting the role of BYU to a move that can only be seen as petty and retaliatory.

If BYU wants this to become a major embarrassment, they can continue on their merry way and stick to their guns. On the other hand, some BYU administrator can show enough integrity to admit they screwed up, and quietly send Hardy his diploma in the mail and make this whole matter go away. Either way, these actions by BYU have given both Hardy and his 2009 calendar (pictured, right) the kind of publicity he couldn't have bought at any price.

My question for BYU is simply this: Has their latest embarrassment been worth it? ***

A veteran freelance writer, Timothy Rollins brings a wealth of political and military experience dating back more than three decades. He is a freelance writer and policy analyst living in Wisconsin who has been featured on both television and radio. He has appeared both in online publications as well as in print newspapers such as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY, the Deseret News in Salt Lake City and the Daily Herald in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The views expressed here by Mr. Rollins are his own and do not represent the official views of any organization or entity with which he may otherwise be affiliated. As such, Mr. Rollins alone takes full responsibility for them. He can be reached by e-mail at rollins@american-partisan.com. ***

Photo of Timothy Rollins courtesy of staff files
2009 Men on a Mission Calendar courtesy of the Associated Press
With files from FOX NEWS