Video: Glenn Beck’s Liberty University Commencement Address

Excellent speech. I hope the students appreciate his message. A standing ovation from me. Thank you for sharing.
I have to say to those of you that have taken to bashing this good man who only means to honor this country and expose the truth. Apparently something made you afraid in this speech to make you so insecure. Don't be afraid the truth will set you free.

Look And Live…

Biblical words definitely get my attention.

The words of Moses, “look and live,” are so relevant today that if and when the men and women that God is lifting up into positions of leadership in the church and government start repeating more biblical words, phrases and concepts as Glenn Beck did today at Liberty University when he said “…look to God and live”… THEN… God will lift up America again.

God bless Glenn Beck and all those who lift up Jesus… regardless of their denomination and doctrine. God knows his own.

Art
STOP! Islamization Of America

Please take the time to listen all the way through the 30 minutes of this speech. It is powerful. It is honest. It is true and it is worth your time.

Loved the speech, much better than his NRA speech. Although it went a little too much into politics at first, I think that he did a great job with the general advice at the end. Some of it was really touching- I have been there myself and he really understands it. My favorite line was, “someone you meet today is afraid and suffering, find them and comfort them”. I had a personal experience where someone came up to me in school, I was at the time suffering at home as I was beaten by my dad regularly, and she said, out of nowhere, “smile, Jesus loves you”. I had no idea then, but now it makes sense- only wish it had made sense then. Glenn Beck has been through a lot and understands the fundamentals of life and God.

We need more people sharing the same message.

I'm surprised they let a Mormon speak at Liberty.

I am amazed at the comments of “educated” people on here. Give it up. Keep on drinking your Kool-Aid and worshiping your Oblahblah GOD and his Socialist buddies. Glenn Beck pisses you off because he speaks the TRUTH and he fights for even YOUR LIBERAL rights….. Get OVER yourself. Grow up, grow a conscious…not one for women, but one for unborn children, a conscious for your children (if you haven't aborted all of them) to live in a Country that we grew up in with REAL freedoms, real healthcare, REAL AMERICANS! I get it that your immersed in your hatred. But there is a living breathing God that reigns supreme and he wrote this history. And as sure as he wrote this, he can write our future. Wake up.

Religious or not a lot of good advice

Why does he claim he had to drop out of college because he “couldn't afford it”? According to Beck himself, he took only one course in theology and dropped out in 1996. Anybody who makes such a claim of unaffordability in the years following Pell and Stafford, is lying. He certainly likes to beg sympathy on false premises, doesn't he?

daytrader1: why not ask him?

At that time, he was probably paying child support for 2 children and he was in AA and Beck was actually employed at a radio station. Perhaps Beck did not want to borrow heavily. It is YOU who assume he is lying, etc. That says alot about you.

Oh and this was a university commencement speech and if that were true (again, ask him yourself), the personal story of education affordability would be relevant.

Thanks! Downloaded Mozilla and it worked! Pardon my exuberance, but being technologically challenged, I enjoy it when I learn new aspects of web browsing. I appreciate your help

daytrader1,The audience liked it. Most of us on here liked it. I actually feel sorry for you. I won't say anything negative against you since I have no idea what caused you to feel this way. God Bless You

William, what “caused” me to “feel this way” is…er…obvious. It's ok, we don't see eye-to-eye, if that makes for enjoyment for some, to each his own. I and others, on the other hand, would have been mortified to have such a speaker.

Well, he broke down and cried. If it hadn't meant something to him, then the awarding of an “honorary” doctorate would have meant even less (I am no fan of honorary doctorates for anybody). He was moved because he suddenly had something that perhaps he wanted (well, it's never too late, is it?). And if he is such a believer in paying your own way (a respectable path indeed), then why accept a “gift” doctorate which he clearly has not earned?

As for feeling sorry for me, pardon me, but I really don't care any more than you care that I am sorry for Beck and his followers. And the nasty little habit christians have of ending discourse with “I will pray for you” and “God bless you” is something those of that persuasion should reconsider, as it is perceived by at least some others as a method of control; i.e., “I will pray for you even though clearly you would not like me to.”
Please, at least spare me that insult.

Oh, and I will be optimistic when the united states joins the rest of the civilized world and stops building their lives and nations around ancient babylonian texts. Oh, and when the middle east does the same.

Williamm – Ditto on your comment to daytrader1. For some it easier to tear down rather than listen and realize they just might be wrong. It is less painful to take the easy way out.

In the religious sense, yes, of course!

There is a major difference between “tearing down” and shedding light on a subject.

Daytrader, in all due respect, as I stated previously, if you have not walked in similar shoes you have no position to make a comment like this on any person's character. Overcoming hardship does qualify him to speak on his experience. Let's agree that those on the Left revel in promoting those who have overcome great diversity in their lives as paragons of virtue and character. Why can't we on the Right have and extol the same? We all have our faults and shortcomings. Institutions, even those with the best of intentions, have fallen short of the ideal. We can all criticize and blog our lives away doing so. But you and I need, as Glenn exhorted, to find avenues that we can learn to agree on and build from that. I believe as Americans we have got to get past “to each his own.” This is a path to destruction. While we are all individuals, we have got to re-learn how to be united again. We must! Instead of the fatalist manta, lets find a new paradigm that says “to each his own, but to each consideration.” (or something)

If all we do is shout at each other from both ends of our respective ideological bases – we're doomed as a country (I can be pessimistic too). But we've got to meet in the middle. And I believe that is what Glenn is trying to say. Until both ends of the ideological spectrum start to constructively dialog we will never be united.

May I beg one question of you? Why, if as you state, what Glenn Beck says in this video is not for you, then why have you come here, watched the video (I will give you credit that you watched the full 30 minutes), and decided to interact with us here? What is it that you are seeking? I do not believe it is just to argue, maybe it is, but you seem to be looking for answers.

I am willing to meet with you in this discussion, if you want to constructively dialog, to hopefully find avenues that will promote objective and constructive conclusions between us. I think that is what you are really looking for, not just some hillside philosopher screaming at the crowd. Otherwise why would you waste your time here, when you could find alternative web blogs whose ideologies are more aligned with yours, and you would be acclaimed for your opposition to Glenn Beck?

Having been on both sides of the political and philosophical spectrum, I can say that those on the Right were and continue to be much more open minded to dialog than those on the Left. Yes, we are not perfect, and there are narrow minded and prejudiced extremes on the Right too. I am not here to convince you that Glenn is right. But I am asking you to at least be open enough to give the guy a break. I think the event was a little overwhelming for him, can we at least agree to that? So what if he got a little choked up and received some honorary degree? And yes Glenn can go off on tangents, that's just Glenn. But it goes to show he is just an ordinary guy, thrust into an extra-ordinary circumstance that he didn't expect or seek. And the thing about his daughter, do you have a daughter? Man, I've got two, and now a Granddaughter, and if you get me talking about them, I become a basket case!

Sound does not work about a fourth in !!!

What Jrusha and KeninMontana said comes from me too!

This is a great man! Listen to what he says.

They have the right to, but that doesn't mean they should.

You should be aware that anyone who was a former listener of Glenn's (example being myself) can see your arguments for the painfully transparent Glenn Beck/David Barton talking points they are.

I was at his American Revival in Orlando.

You should also be aware that Seminary degrees, since the majority of higher learning institutions in America were founded by religious organizations, were as common in the time of our founding as a Bachelor's Degree is today.

The word “God” is mentioned 0 times in the Declaration of Independence in the context you're dishonestly trying to imply (that it's the christian god)

The word “God” is not used at all save for the lone instance of the phrase “Nature's God,” I see nothing of christianity, yahweh or Jesus. And if you can't count, thats only 1, not 5.

Also, the religiosity of the Founders is a moot point because they did not put it into law. In fact, in the framing of the constitution, multiple of the framers tried explicitly to insert god into the wording, Patrick Henry was one of them.

Those attempts were just as explicitly rejected, each and every single time.

Private individuals may be religious, that does not make the fruits of their labor inherently religious by association.

Also, the Declaration, while eloquent and a true testament to Jefferson's philosophical genius, has absolutely no legal standing whatsoever.

Nice false dichotomy at the end there, or could it possibly be that you are mistaken given a lack of skepticism when it comes to things you want to believe, especially when it broaches the realm of anything having to do at all with religion, a subject which from first principle demands a credulous mind?

I'm wondering if a Mormon, such as Beck, would be accepted at Liberty U. because of his doctrine.

His presentation has sermon elements. Beck spoke a lot of God which seems very presumptuous of the students accepting his faith.

As one who believes in God, but not in the Bible…I believe there is good advice here to be taken still. Good job, Glenn. Also, thank you Scoop.

I would not call it presumptuous to reference God at a Christian University. I would think that if any of the students had issues with the Christian faith (Mormons, like it or not are in fact Christians) they would probably attend a different school.

I find the discourse here interesting, but I see a lot of it as disturbing particularly to attack someone with innuendoes in regards to their faith. I see quite a number of references to fact that Beck is a member of the Mormon faith as if somehow that would discredit his opinion or the information he presents. Myself, I have followed Glenn's show since he started on CNN, and I have never heard him posit the “superiority” of his chosen denomination of faith. In fact I can only think of a handful of times that he actually mentioned being a Mormon, usually affirming it for someone who was bringing up that he is a member of that church, as if that fact would invalidate his statement on a given topic. Faith is something that is deeply personal to each individual and not a “one size fits all” ideaology by any stretch of the imagination. As for myself, my faith is my own personal path and is not subject to any one else's judgement as to whether or not it is “correct” or for me to have to justify. Beside's attacking someone based on their faith alone is the sign of a weak mind, IMO.
As to Glenn having David Barton (a man who has done his homework) on to discuss the faith of our founders is ,I feel entirely appropriate, and seems to have proven the fact that they were men of faith. He has many documents that are from “original sources” to back up this claim. However it is also evident that our founders took great pains to make sure that we were and are an inclusive republic especially when it comes to faith. Yes the statement that we are “a Christian Nation” gives me pause because it does give the intended or not implication that we are exclusive in this and that the statement seems to fly in the face of the fact that we are a nation of many faiths. But in the ultimate fact that proves the wisdom of these men is the simple fact that we are still one nation, in spite of our own best efforts,it seems sometimes to rip each other apart.
The practice of using generalites to discredit Beck's presentations, by calling them fallicies without presenting any evidence or sources to back their statements are the epitomy of the “juvinielle” level of debate.(“is so”..”is not”) Beck presents his views and does present sources to back his statements, to just say “he lies” and offer no sources or references to back that claim is another sign of a weak mind used in conjunction with weak talking points, written by some else with an equally weak mind. If you're looking to change my opinion on a subject, state your case (without unfounded personal smears) back it up with source references (blog references and uncertified wiki articles do not count) if you cannot do this,well, then save your worn out “talking points” for those that subscribe to the same as they are wasted here.
In closing I would once again like to thank TheRightScoop for posting these items and for all the hard work done in bringing us all a place to discuss and debate.

Nice baseless assumptions you make there, greywolfe. Atheist doesn't mean nihilist, like you seem to think. Nor is atheist synonymous with liberal or progressive.

I'm libertarian, ideology, not party. I'm no leftist. I never claimed to be a conservative because of the giant push by the religious right to usurp the definition of conservatism to be chiefly christian.

I'm not christian, so I cannot be considered as conservative.

Assertions are not evidence in support of a point, friend, cute string of ad hominem at the end there.

You said “God” was referred to 5 times in the declaration, and I pointed out that the word “God” is only used once, and in the context of “Nature's God.”

But rather than concede that you like to parrot Glenn's talking points (are you going to talk about Whitefield and the black robe brigade next?) about seminary degrees you simply attack me, ad hominem is a tactic of the MSM, the rest of us should strive for better.

Not once did I claim that the founders weren't, vast majority, religious, most of them very much were, fanatically so in some cases.

What I said is demonstrable fact, that even though they were religious, this has no direct implication on their work by means of association, trying to make that connection is a leap at best.

And even if the declaration did have the word “god” 5 times, it would be another moot point because the declaration has 0 legal standing/relevance, it's the Constitution which is the legal document.

Set aside your derisive name calling and nonsensical assumptions, you do your argument no favors, further denigrate the idea of the “moral majority,” and alienate those who would naturally be your allies in all matters of governance and economics.

Christianity in the sense of the recognition and veneration of Jesus Christ whom they venerate. BTW Jehovah is the angilization of the Hebrew name of God not the name of Jesus Christ unless you or they are in fact referring to the concept of the trinty as one being. Is not the God that the Baptists pray to the same God the Catholics pray to as well as the Methodists,Episcopalins and Lutherans. Are you asserting that one particular form of Christianity has it correct and everyone else has it wrong? What would indeed be presumptuous would be making that assumption. We could sit here all day and nitpick the varied traditions and practices of each branch of Christian faith. If indeed there is as Christians maintain One God (I for one would never be so arrogant as to proclaim I knew the answer to that) then does not it logically stand to reason that they are all speaking to the same entity? Was not Lucifer once a heavenly being? Does it not follow with the Christian teachings of all beings as being brothers and sisters in the eyes of God? It seems to me he was extending an olive branch in recognition that beyond all the trappings of religious ceremony that he believes that the God of the Protestants is one in the same as the God of the Catholics etc. BTW just so you know I have family members that are Mormon and they do believe in God ,Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They just have a difference of opinion as to who has the authority to “speak for God” in the earthly sense. Not a whole lot different than the split between the Protestants and Rome at its crux. Apparently Liberty U. takes a more all encompassing and accepting view of the different denominations of Christianity than others do and I for one applaude them for it.

One of Glenn Beck's finest hours….as he speaks to the 2010 graduating class of Liberty University. “Turn to God and Live”…”Power of Atonement in my life”…this will bless you and inspire you. Please take the time to listen.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that. I couldn't help noticing his countless comparisons of himself to Moses, either. Still, for a man of his… beliefs… he didn't do too bad. I'll give him credit for the good parts of his speech.

What a complete loser. God help us indeed.

Oh, you want to ignore all the points I made and dive into quote mining? The fallacious tactic perfected by fundamentalist apologetics in matters of science? Okay.

“As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion. . .” The Treaty of Tripoli, written under George Washington, ratified under John Adams

“Notwithstanding the general progress made within the two last centuries in favour of this branch of liberty, and the full establishment of it, and in some parts of our Country, there remains in others a strong bias towards the old error, that without some sort of alliance or coalition between Government and Religion neither can be duly supported: Such indeed is the tendency to such a coalition, and such its corrupting influence on both the parties, that the danger cannot be too carefully guarded against. . .and in a government of opinion, like ours, the only effectual guard must be found in the soundness and stability of the general opinion of the subject. Every new and successful example therefore of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters, is of importance. And I have no doubt that every new example, will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.” James Madison

“It was the belief of all sects at one time that the establishment of Religion by law, was right and necessary; that the true religion ought to be established in exclusion of every other; and that the only question to be decided was which was the true religion. The example of HOlland proved that a toleration of sects, dissenting from the established sect, was safe and even useful. The example of the Colonies, now States, which rejected religious establishments altogether, proved that all Sects might be safely and advantageously put on a footing of equal and entire freedom. . .We are teaching the world the great truth that governments do better without Kings and Nobles than with them. The merit will be doubled by the other lesson that Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of government.” James Madison

“The purpose of seperation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.” – James Madison

“The question before the human race is, whether the God of Nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles?” – John Adams

“The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity. Nowhere in the gospels do we find a precept for Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Doctrines, and whole cartloads of other foolish trumpery that we find in Christianity.” – John Adams

“. . . Some books against Deism fell into my hands. . . It happened that they wrought an effect on my quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.” – Benjamin Franklin

“The way to see by faith is to shut the eye to reason.” – Ben Franklin

“Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.” – Ben Franklin

I also have pages of research done from a recent term paper on Thomas Jefferson's secularization of the four Gospels in “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” including multiple letter excerpts to friends and colleagues on the subject thoroughly demonstrating that was no more a Christian than he was an Epicurean (reference, letter to William Short) and that is in the philosophic sense, not in the magical or metaphysical.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court did not found this nation. Nor does it have federal authority.

I've already responded to your false assumption that I am a flat out nihilist, if you insist continuing operating under that impression then you either suffer from a misapprehension or are arguing in bad faith, thinking that for some reason I am insincere at best.

If that's the case, please do tell, inform me what kind of nihilist I am, I'm dying to know, please tell me all about myself, I doubt you could sound any more cocksure and condescending if you tried.

My stance on the un-evidenced metaphysical requires no justification, it is a lack of any positive claim. It's potentially even a null hypothesis depending on how one would define the agnostic parts of disbelief. It is in fact your positive claims pertaining to the supernatural that require justification for a rational acceptance.

I can't resist, how do you justify your lack of belief in Zeus?
How do you justify your lack of belief in Odin?
How do you Justify your lack of belief in Minerva?
How do you Justify your lack of belief in Krishna?
How do you justify your lack of belief in the sun god Ra?
How do you justify your lack of belief in Ahura Mazda?
How do you justify your lack of belief in pixies, faeries, elves, leprechauns or Santa Claus?

None of those are faiths, like you assert I hold, they are lack of faith, but please put words in my mouth again.

Only one of my quotes really has any relevance in the legal context at all, and it is the binding Treaty of Tripoli, written under Washington and signed under Adams.

Only one of your quotations likewise has any relevance, though oddly it is directly contrary to the Establishment clause by Oliver Ellsworth, was it written as the prevailing opinion of a supreme court case while he was Chief Justice, or was it his personal opinion as a private citizen outside of his decisions as a judge? If the latter is the case, you could have cited Patrick Henry as well, one of many framers of the constitution who attempted to push your god into the wording and was rejected outright, and it would have as little meaning.

We could quote mine the founders all day and night, but it's still fallacious, what matters is the Constitution and the fact that Christianity is not the religion of the United States (government). We're a nation of (mostly) Christians, a nation founded by (mostly) Christians, but not a nation founded on Christianity.

One can be both religious in his personal beliefs, and secular in matters of governance, such was the case of our Founders, and is demanded of our judges. Neutral stance in conflicts of religion outside legal matters.

You also seem to be operating under the continued assumption that I have a political ideology greatly different from yourself. If you are a free market capitalist in favor of greatly limited government, which only draws authority from the consent of the governed, leaving private individuals alone save for when citizens engage in abuses against others, then you and I would be in agreement.

I've said it before and I feel I'll have to say it again, merely asserting something doesn't make it true, that goes for your god and for aspects of my character or ideology.

Having had a very similar conversation with the same gentleman, I just wanted to say your replies were first-rate. While I'm more of a left-lib–and a believer, taboot–I'm good with America being a theistically pluralistic place, where every individual is free to practice whatever their faith or lack of it compels them (barring the obviously illegal and immoral, of course.) I'm even good with those who have beliefs other than my own trying to persuade me to believe as they do–I think it's healthy to exchange ideas and ideals with folks who ain't like you, whether it be religiously or politically or socially–but I have little patience with the openly intolerant. Those who start sentences with “(All) Christians are…” or “(All) Muslims need to…” or “(All) atheists hate…” (and stated or not, that “all” is ever-present and pretty obvious, besides) tend to be exhibiting their own intolerance (and sometimes, bigotry) for those not like them.

The fact is, most of us think we're on the one true path to enlightenment–and that everyone not walking our path… well… isn't–but I don't go in much for the folks who cannot help but point out that everyone who isn't of their particular faith (or lack of it) is heading for the flaming fires, or just wasting their time here on Earth, or whatever… Whether or not one's faith in G-d, the gods, or the scientific method teaches that that's true is kinda besides the point… Here in America anyway, all those idiots, heathens, and believers in fairy-tales have the God-given/natural right to put all their love and faith and trust in the wrong scriptures or set of beliefs. As far as I'm concerned, anyway, THAT'S what this country was in part founded on; my right to worship (or not) as I choose, and your right to worship (or not) as you choose.

(And to think I only stepped in because the guy used the phrase “american nihilist” in one of his replies…)

I like the Speech alot can you get it in MP3 format and put it up?

God Bless Glenn Beck. You should run for President!

Wow! That is the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a commencement. Glenn Beck rocks!

Pathetic and full of heresy.

Glenn Beck is a traitor of Jesus Christ with his Mormon faith and high sounding words that often sound so good but are filled with lies – postmodern lies. Listen to his speech at Liberty’s commencement and weep, then get mad, then cry to the Lord of Heaven and Earth for true revival in our land; for it is being filled with lies, lies, lies: http://www.therightscoop.com/video-glenn-becks-liberty-university-commencement-address.

The words sound one thing but the words are given with a new meaning. He mentions God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, faith, atonement; but what does he mean as a Mormon? Do not follow him; he will lead you to error. He constantly talks about human endeavor, creative power; then he uses blasphemy with the use of ‘I am that I am’ – Beck uses this phrase as a phrase of self identity (at 24 minutes into his speech) – which is false; it fits Mormon doctrine of becoming gods.

Further one liners:

‘We are meant to be happy’

‘Forgiveness is divine’ – What does that mean?

‘The atonement is real; you are worthy’ – This is trash talk and it dishonors the Lord of the Word!

‘Hell is an eternity of regret – not being able to forgive yourself mainly’ – Is this what Jesus taught?

‘People are good; they want to do the right thing but they just do not know how’

He ends his talk with the audacity that leaves these words in the Name of Jesus Christ Amen!

What blasphemy!

Do not give in to his crying sad words. Do not follow his emotional traps.

Check out the following link:

http://hereiblog.com/liberty-university-glenn-beck-gospel/

Take a look at what Mormons really believes. The following comes from HereIblog.com

Brief Comparison between Mormonism and Christianity

Mormonism

God
More than one god. God the father is an exalted man who was as we are now and has a body of flesh and bones.

Christianity

God
There is only one God who is spirit and eternal.

Mormonism:

Trinity
The father, son and holy spirit are three gods separate and distinct from each other.

Christianity:

Trinity
One God Who exists in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Mormonism:

Jesus
Spirit brother of Lucifer, a literal off-spring of god the father.

Chr.:

Jesus
Eternal Son of God, second person of the Trinity.

Mor.:

Holy Spirit
A distinct god from father and son, a spirit man and a spirit son of God the Father.

Chr.:

Holy Spirit
The third eternal person of the Trinity.

Mor.:

Salvation
By presenting our best efforts and obedience to god’s commands and then by grace. Man can become a god.

Chr.:

Salvation
A free gift from God received by grace alone through faith alone and not by works.