Faith

Christian College Students React to Radical Professor Frances Fox Piven’s Address

Earlier this month, the Blaze reported that leftist academic Frances Fox Piven was invited to speak at Messiah College, a Christian college in Grantham, Pennsylvania. The radical professor, who recently called bankers “thieves,“ ”cannibals“ and the ”big problem” in a speech to Occupy Wall Street participants, addressed the Christian college’s audience on Tuesday.

Prior to the event, some internal controversy did break out after the college removed posters from campus that advertised Piven’s appearance. Officials said that advertisements were taken down because turnout was already expected to be high. Additionally, the college claimed that officials didn’t want open-house guests seeing the advertisements and asking questions that staff members wouldn’t be able to answer. Some students didn’t buy into this mantra.

On Sunday, students who were frustrated over what they saw as Messiah’s intention to downplay the event, wrote notices in chalk on the college’s walkways and courtyards. Early in the day on Monday, college staff hosed them away.

Derek Petrella, a senior who studies politics and economics, said, ”Messiah College is sponsoring the event and they’re disassociating themselves from it.” Ben Hemphill, a sophomore student who studies politics, mirrored this sentiment:

“The college has elected to bring in this controversial individual, and as far as we can see, it appears that they’re now trying to back away from it. We’re really trying to make people aware of this double standard.”

Piven‘s long work in academia is what led Messiah to select her to address the college’s annual American Democracy Lecture. The 79-year-old, who has caught heat for her making some disturbing economic proposals in the past, told the audience that she hasn’t been to many Christian colleges before.

“I didn’t know what to expect. Was it going to be something like Bob Jones University, I wondered,” she told a crowd of about 240 students and faculty. “You know, I’ve had a great day. I think I have a lot in common with a lot of people in this room,” she continued.

PennLive.com reporter Elizabeth Gibson, though, explained that the audience didn’t necessarily see the similarities:

…judging from the eye-rolling and snickering from many middle-aged attendees and some students, Piven’s audience didn’t agree that they shared common ground.

One student, Phil Strunk, asked Piven to explain past statements and calls to action. “It kind of sounded like a declaration of violence to me,” he said. Piven, of course, responded, “I believe in nonviolence.” But then she continued, seemingly stretching the definition of “violence”:

“I don’t think that breaking a glass window is the worst crime in the world. But I’m against it … because people will say, ‘Violence, violence, violence,’ and ignore the violence on the street, of [people] losing their homes, being hungry.”

Here are her comments about violence:

Below, see another portion of Piven’s address to Messiah:

Piven predictably praised Occupy Wall Street (after all, she’s been down there preaching to the choir already). Somewhat surprising, though, was her statement that the “tea party is an authentic movement.” She did say that it isn‘t her movement and that she hopes it isn’t the only important movement in contemporary American society, though. Below, see Piven’s speech to the Wall Street protesters:

Following the address, Nick Kratz, a student writer for Messiah’s “The Swinging Bridge” said that, though he doesn’t necessarily agree with Piven, her viewpoints were important for the Christian community to hear. Kratz writes:

Although some at Messiah may feel uncomfortable with the message she brings,I will argue that that is ok.  It is ok to feel uncomfortable because in those moments of discomfort and tension, wrestling with new ideas, that we grow as individuals. Her focus on the growing income gap and a lack of social justice in the United States is important for the people of this community to consider.  How do we reconcile our beliefs in a system that leaves millions unemployed and promotes racial inequality? Regardless of your personal opinion on the issues that she raises, the conversation is important.

It seems there truly was a diversity of opinion among the college’s student body.

(H/T: PennLive.com)

Comments (255)

1 2 3 ... 8
  • opinionista
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:19am

    How ironic that a college named Messiah would promote someone like Piven. Yes, freedom of speech is a great thing, but having this woman on campus amounts to promoting her ideas.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:38am

      They actually believe… that all sides of every question is worthy of consideration… which means they believe in NOTHING!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:43am

      I thought we won the cold war ? Communists have us down from the inside of every major institution in this country…. Bizarre

      Report Post »  
    • jens63
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:48am

      These are student whose ideas really are not fully developed, thus “students”. I would argue exposure to different beliefs is important as long as there is debate and discussion in the classrooms following. Just as many are offended that liberal colleges refuse to hear from conservative speakers. Are they afraid they may learn something?

      Report Post »  
    • DanWesson455
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 10:13am

      She still needs a knot tied in her skin on the top of her head. She looks like my older saddle I threw out.

      Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • JRook
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 10:25am

      “They actually believe… that all sides of every question is worthy of consideration… which means they believe in NOTHING!” Really….. actually it is probably why they were able to get into a decent college and challenge their own beliefs and the beliefs of others based on thoughtful examination. And you are left to post such nonsense on a blog.

       
    • loadingmyclips
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 10:34am

      No violence?!?!? I thought that she was involved with the commie tom hayden in bombing certain goverment buildings in the 60′s.

      Report Post » loadingmyclips  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 10:34am

      Christians are supposed to be different than the world, yet what we see all around us is the “christian establishment” sucking up to the world. They are entering into a netherworld where the Lord doesn‘t know them and the devil doesn’t like them but is willing to use them for his own twisted purposes. The end result is that when trouble comes there will be no one to champion the poor worldly ‘christian’. They are like the parable of the talents where the schmuck that hid his gets it taken away from him in the end. Why o why didn’t any bold student ask this old crone if she knew who Jesus Christ is and what his “economic plan” for the world is? The fireworks would have been worth the price of admission.

      Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 11:03am

      Priven is really 28 years old yet the evil in her makes her look 90. Many men in their 20s have already made love to her.

      Report Post »  
    • chezhockey
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 11:10am

      Actually, I disagree with the premise that, “having this woman on campus amounts to promoting her ideas.”

      Knowing your enemy and their thought process is paramount to defeating them. Study, study, study. It’s the only way to counteract their madness.

      Report Post »  
    • ltb
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 11:14am

      Piven is a typical Liberal: “You’re too stupid to understand, it’s complicated and you’re just frightened of a black president.” Hey sweetheart, it’s not complicated and I couldn’t care less about the skin color of our half white president… If Obama would stop treating the Constitution like toilet paper, we wouldn’t have a problem. I can’t wait until Herman Cain is elected as America’s first black president, because it will show once and for all how racist these so-called Liberals are.

      Report Post » ltb  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 11:24am

      lukerw:
      YOU SAID IT VERY ELOQUENTLY AND STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. You are 110% right. For someone to QUESTION Christ means they are wavering in their belief or they didn’t believe to begin with. Piven had no business being there and if I were attending that college, I would transfer to another LESS RADICAL college. As a Christian, you are to learn the teachings of God and Christ, NOT MAN. Man will always disappoint you. GOD WILL NOT.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
  • junkmaninohio
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:18am

    Piven gives new meaning to the term “Useful Idiots”.

    Report Post »  
  • MOS 11B
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:17am

    That ugly Communist Gargoyle would be more tolerable
    to look at if the thing was laid out on a metal slab at a morgue.
    I cannot imagine any genuine Christian college wanting or
    allowing this walking Rat Turd to even be on there campus
    much less her spewing her Demonic Drivvle to Christian students.

    Report Post »  
  • Thevoice
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:09am

    I hope in short order ..This commie puke of a human is no longer breathing ….Sorry no apology …I am one of the Tea party that would rather beat a commie with a broomstick. Than see my country destroyed by them…and apologize …

    Report Post » Thevoice  
    • lukerw
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:34am

      She has spewed her Evil into Texts… used by WH and Protestors, alike. Prepare to defend the Faith!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Hammerun
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 10:20am

      It really sickens me to see this old Hack having access to our kids and she knows what she is doing too. Her and Clowered have been making a living off of this crap all of their lives, they just found a nitch and wormed their way in.
      On the up side though, at her age there is a good possibility she won’t see the end of this, however though I would much prefer her to take one for the team and put a 9 thru her ears. Video at 5.

      Report Post » Hammerun  
    • Hammerun
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 10:21am

      It really sickens me to see this old Hack having access to our kids and she knows what she is doing. Her and Clowered have been making a living off of this crap all of their lives, they just found a nitch and wormed their way in.
      On the up side though, at her age there is a good possibility she won’t see the end of this, however though I would much prefer her to take one for the team and put a 9 thru her ears. Video at 5.

      Report Post » Hammerun  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 12:30pm

      If you use a broomstick, you will be taking Piven’s transportation away from her!

      Report Post » kapnkd  
  • BigPaulie
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:54am

    If I had a kid at that college, they would be withdrawing.

    Report Post »  
    • Delta D-5-3
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:04am

      From now on, i’m going to use “how bout pulling a Piven” or “I pulled a Piven” when describing a Marxist idea, or event, just saying…………..

      Report Post » Delta D-5-3  
    • WallWatchman
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:10am

      I went to Messiah (2 decades ago) and still live in the area. I don’t even consider it a Christian College anymore. The liberals were creeping in then…..they’ve taken over now.

      Report Post » WallWatchman  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:19am

      Maybe she‘s still mad because in her day they didn’t give out “just for participating” trophys and she was never picked to play on a winning team.

      Report Post »  
    • dmforman
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:21am

      Being from that area of Pa, Messiah used to have a great name and give a well respected education. I would knock it off my child’s list and have sent this to friends who have children going off to college next fall who had it on their list. It’s one thing to expose college students to opposing points of view but to bring Piven to the college and not having flyers up during a campus wide visit. What was Messiah trying to hide. Parents wake up, indoctrination is happening on ALL college campuses.

      Report Post »  
    • Solzhenitsin
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 1:47pm

      WallWatchman, I think that probably describes most “Christian” colleges in the nation. There were leftist and syncretistic professors at my Christian college in the early 90′s. It was bad enough back then when a Palestinian janitor was allowed a full chapel service to give us his anti-Israel screed (happy to say I walked out on him), and when the campus pastor brought in a nun to push new-age practices off as “prayer”. Now my alma mater has Shane Clairborne and other statist false-prophets as chapel speakers and professors.

      This is disappointing, but shouldn’t be a surprise: “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. ” Matthew 24:10-14

      Time to focus on being an overcomer.

      Report Post »  
  • junkmaninohio
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:53am

    You need to grow up.

    Report Post »  
  • Cat
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:50am

    Umm …
    Nick Kratz, listen up
    Your blurb makes note of listening to the argument for social justice and new ideas?
    We have ideas Mr. Kratz, they’re called the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
    Piven wants to argue the destruction of those ideas Mr. Kratz.
    There’s NO need to listen to the enemy.

    Report Post » Cat  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:01am

      She had important ideas. The same ideas as Stalin and Mao. I think we’ve heard quite enough of those ideas. Under President Kim Phipps, Messiah College has gone Socialist. I’m sure that she agrees completely with Piven. The alumni of the college need to withhold funding until this leftist is sent packing and the Christian legacy of the school is recovered.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • Armed Patriot
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:08am

      Kudos. And there is no need to consider common ground with the enemy who says they only want to destroy you. Weve all seen and heard her here.

      Report Post » Armed Patriot  
    • WallWatchman
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:13am

      @Attention2Detail – my wife and I (alumni) haven’t been giving money to the college for several years now….for a variety of reasons. Somehow all these reasons are rooted in liberalism and a decreasing Christian influence.

      Report Post » WallWatchman  
    • ozchambers
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:23am

      Count me in with all of the above.

      Report Post » ozchambers  
  • deweydewmeyer
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:44am

    She said “Much of what is going on in this world is obscure and hard to understand”. That’s proof that she has no clue of what reality is! Another dumb lib jealous of the Tea Party movement. Hopefully she will be paying a nice long visit with uncle teddy soon.

    Report Post » deweydewmeyer  
    • Uechi
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:55am

      Piven is no LIb she is a Marxist Anarachist who lkied the Watts riots and would lkie to sww them all over the USA. Very daangerous delusional evil old hag.

      Report Post »  
  • branch manager
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:44am

    Well that‘s one college that won’t be seeing any of my money.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:54am

      I have to wonder how much pressure was coming down on top of the college executives from the White House; in order to get them to allow Fox Piven to speak and to disassociate themselves at the same time. I am glad to see many of the students knowing what the face and voice of evil looks and sounds like and make a stand for what is right.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Kitsune
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:27pm

      @SL, ugh, can we just call her “Piven”. Leave that first part out, she doesn’t deserve it.

      Report Post »  
  • 80mesh
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:41am

    cigarette ? blind fold? … see we are compassionate …if you push hard enough and start some of your ”
    viloence” the true americans will stand up to you. and invoke rule .303

    (great movie about the boher wars in africa}

    Report Post » 80mesh  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:40am

    That REPEATING makes me GAG……

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • Baerlin
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:32am

      My kids, 13 and 14, came in to see what I was watching and walked away wondering how people could be so stupid. Repeating everything a speaker was saying…….Reminded them of the 4 year olds we watch in the nursery at church

      Report Post » Baerlin  
    • havsumtea
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:14pm

      Mind-numbed robots, nothing more!

      Report Post » havsumtea  
  • Doc
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:38am

    Please take a lesson from Nick Kratz, student writer for Messiah’s “The Swinging Bridge”. The last paragraph is telling… Conservatives must listen to these people and know our enemy. We must be able to respond to them in a thoughtful, accurate and mature manner each and every time we have the chance. Name calling and adolescent vulgar comment will get us no where. I have no doubt the left intends to push this country to violence but until then we must only demonstrate reason and logic.

    Report Post »  
    • junkmaninohio
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:52am

      The Marxist American left controls all of Academia, most of the main street media, most of Hollywood and the court system. They have been indoctrinating our children since the days of Progressive Woodrow Wilson. With 50% of Americans now living on Government handouts, and the other 50% paying all the bills, our country is lost.

      Report Post »  
    • Cavetroll
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:54am

      While I agree with Nick, Most of these people are truly “useful idiots”, while they protest the millionaires on wall street, they welcome the millionaire Hollywood elite, along with Country Wide and a plethora of “union thugs” to boot. When most of these people are asked what they are protesting you get ummm’s and ooohhs, followed by an idiotic rant, that is not only impossible to comprehend but, also makes your IQ drop 20 points just for listening.

      Report Post » Cavetroll  
  • ares338
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:29am

    Holy Crap Batman! Why would a Christian College invite this vitriolic hag to speak at their college?

    Report Post » ares338  
  • BQI
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:28am

    BQI has written articles and published videos about all of this. There is only one outcome.

    WE WILL WITNESS A NATIONAL AND WORLD REVOLUTION IN 2012. THE 2012 ELECTION WILL NOT PREVENT THIS.

    Report Post » BQI  
    • Armed Patriot
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:12am

      Maybe thats why the Mayan calendar ends in 2012??? Holy cow batman, what was that bright flash overhea….

      Report Post » Armed Patriot  
  • natebub
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:25am

    Does she not kinda looks like he Emperor on Star Wars after he got burned?

    Report Post » natebub  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:23am

    The students could have asked some hard hitting questions of her. It doesn’t sound like they did. She needs to be embarassed and called into account for her words and her life. She is a disgrace to the human race. Will they ask Soros to come and speak next? I’m disappoint in this college. Why not ask Thomas Sowell to speak. He has lived through a lot and has much to offer on what is happening in today’s world.

    Report Post » NHwinter  
    • landonh5
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 12:12pm

      Oh, they did ask some hard hitting questions its just that the moderator rephrased every question to her so it was “smaller and on record” It was an interesting lecture to sit through. Most of the audience about came out of their seats with some of the things that she said. However, there were quite a few students and faulty that were smiling from ear to ear loving every word she spoke. So..go figure. Messiah College is barely a Christian college anymore. It took me a while to see the when I went there 2 years ago, but now since I’m out of college and frequently visit campus, it’s like going to bubble of non-reality. The students are mostly ignorant (myself included) or just completely uniformed of the truth.

      Report Post »  
  • Lion420
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:20am

    How ignorant and foolish does one have to be to book this woman as the guest speaker for “American Democracy”? Much like Obama, ten minutes worth of research should scare the daylights out of you. Everything she stands for is anti-America, and really (even if she doesn‘t know or won’t admit) is anti-Democracy and anti-people…or should I say inhumane…

    Report Post » Lion420  
    • KTsayz
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:14am

      It would have been better had they hosted a talk on ‘America the Republic’. Then the kids would have really learned something.

      Report Post »  
  • Propertyof IAM
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:19am

    What fellowship hath light with darkness….

    Report Post »  
  • Alvin691
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:16am

    The student, Nick Kratz, shows an example of moral relativism. This is the core of liberal thought. I’m OK, You’re Ok. Reject it.

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:13am

    .
    If I was that ugly, I’d learn to walk backwards……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Secessionista
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:12am

    So she won’t mind so much if someone breaks out the windows in her house every night? No big deal? Mmmmkay….

    I’m just saying. If that happened, she’d be all over the news crying about the racist haters and murderers who broke her windows.

    Hypocrit. Now we know why liberals are so afraid of violence – they are hanging out with the very perps of it.

    Report Post » Secessionista  
  • HKS
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:08am

    This is the problem with the educational system, Rags like this teaching kids? Their justification is just as bad, “hey let’s burn them repeatedly with fire so they know what hot is” They might get to liking it.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • roadhog
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:07am

    They should buy this Old Bag a Broom soshe can Fly away.

    Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:14am

      Be careful America. This old bag and her like-minded friends, want this country to be a place where you have no rights, you are nothing more than property of the state to be used as they see fit, and your greatest fear will be a knock on your door in the middle of the night, knowing you will disappear and never be seen again.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • Southernguy
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:19am

      And hope she crashes it, lol

      Report Post » Southernguy  
    • mbriz
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:34am

      TX, You couldn’t be more wrong. These people want their freedom back, they don’t want banks, and big biz running this country. Big money owns this country, why would you people support that. Oh that’s right, because becky says to.

      Report Post » mbriz  
    • MontieR
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 5:28pm

      Mbritz you could NOT be more wrong, this woman stands for nothing short of a soviet era government where you have no rights and no choice. Simply google her name and read. Socialist, communist, marxist or fascist do not even come close to what this excuse for a human is.

      Report Post »  
  • old white guy
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:06am

    i wonder will the young christians stand up against those who follow piven’s politics????

    Report Post »  
    • ifuturelist
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 11:12am

      And yet jesus turned the other cheek.

      Report Post »  
    • madjim
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:28pm

      “And yet jesus turned the other cheek.”

      Not always…

      “14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

      John 2:14-16

      Report Post »  
  • ColoradoMaverick
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:06am

    Be careful what you wish for. When you invite a hateful liberal to speak, she will speak and try to push her hateful liberal agenda. Don’t expose your young students to people like this. There are plenty of liberal institutions that Piven can go to such as Columbia. Those kids are already indoctrinated by the parent who allow them to go there in the first place.

    Report Post » ColoradoMaverick  
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