Bible colleges closing in Alberta

[Xelebes]

Link to article: Edmonton Journal

Gardner College in Camrose has announced that it has closed and will not accept students this fall. The staff was laid off and college buildings will be sold to pay accumulated debt.

For some of these institutions, founded 70 to 90 years ago, the last few years have been difficult as student numbers dwindled. Other Bible colleges, such as Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute in Camrose and Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, are seeing their enrolments rebound from the lows of recent years.

Camrose has a few of these colleges (Gardner, CLBI, Augusta) and a few other towns have them. Often times, they are what keep the towns from becoming hamlets. Apart from that, this could mean a slow change is occuring in the rural parts of Alberta and the prospects for the Wildrose on their current platform don't look so rosy. Cardston might have to say goodbye to the days of Bible Bill.

[itom 987]

Thank goodness.

Amen

[dsim249]

This thread won't last long. Hopefully.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Link to article: Edmonton Journal



Camrose has a few of these colleges (Gardner, CLBI, Augusta) and a few other towns have them. Often times, they are what keep the towns from becoming hamlets. Apart from that, this could mean a slow change is occuring in the rural parts of Alberta and the prospects for the Wildrose on their current platform don't look so rosy. Cardston might have to say goodbye to the days of Bible Bill.

Good

[Chadillaccc]

Thank the gods. Sanity finally making its way into Albible... I mean, Alberta.

[dmuzika]

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Link to article: Edmonton Journal



Camrose has a few of these colleges (Gardner, CLBI, Augusta) and a few other towns have them. Often times, they are what keep the towns from becoming hamlets. Apart from that, this could mean a slow change is occuring in the rural parts of Alberta and the prospects for the Wildrose on their current platform don't look so rosy. Cardston might have to say goodbye to the days of Bible Bill.

As someone who grew up in Camrose, Bible Colleges still have their place for a niche group of people. What the article does not mention is that in an effort to adapt, some of these colleges are not sticking to their strengths (religious/Bible courses) and are offering secular programs that are not being recognized by other post secondary institutions or employers. In short, in trying to attract more students they attempting to directly compete with larger institutions like U of A, SAIT, etc at the expense of their Bible-based courses (turning off their target base). It's like owning a mom & pop store and trying to directly compete with Wal Mart (except the larger instutions offer better quality education, oppertunity, etc.) - it cannot be done.

[ue]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Thank the gods. Sanity finally making its way into Albible... I mean, Alberta.

I don't understand this comment. Despite red neck stereotypes, Alberta has the second highest rate of irreligious people in Canada (after B.C.).

[Canadian Mind]

Since when are rednecks god-fearing?

[Xelebes]

Originally Posted by ue

I don't understand this comment. Despite red neck stereotypes, Alberta has the second highest rate of irreligious people in Canada (after B.C.).

How does that mean anything? Just as bad as the stereotyping as with Albible (don't do that, btw), trotting out these stats don't mean a thing when the politics has a strong religious undercurrent.

[s211]

Sad to see the intolerence shown in this thread.

[DizzyEdge]

The only religion I've ever noticed in Alberta is Money.

[Phil McAvity]

Originally Posted by s211

Sad to see the intolerence shown in this thread.

Hardly surprising though given the young, urban liberal demographic of this site.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Phil McAvity

Hardly surprising though given the young, urban liberal demographic of this site.

Yes, the very same illuminated group that claims to be non-discriminatory and open-minded.

[whiteford]

i have found ssp has its small but very vocal number of intolerant anti religion banters. the comments here are nothing new to this place and are in tune with past comments regarding religion i have noticed here by a small percent of the formers. they know who they are. there are a few highly intolerant formers around here, but over all they are the minority. Theirs seem to be the mindset that no one should believe in anything. remember though these views only count to the people who express these views. in the vast majority of these cases it is nothing short of trolling.

[Bankview]

I possess every right to point out the flaws and shortcomings of a poorly thought out system of belief. You have the right to an opinion, and I have to right to mercilessly shred it if it's based upon weak logic.

[MrChills]

Originally Posted by itom 987

Thank goodness.

Amen

Hear, hear!

[elconsulto]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Thank the gods. Sanity finally making its way into Albible... I mean, Alberta.

nice post dude. good job