Well, it did not take long for the Weyant posse to saddle-up. It looks as if ole' Rev. Ted (isn't he the bicycling preacher?) went to the Trinity website and copied, and then pasted, their FAQs. Good idea! The one that really gets me is the one about how they aren't accredited and they ain't a gonna' be, neither! I suppose that they no longer visibly operate the ATEA - an accrediting agency run by the Weyants. Just look under the tag for "Professional Certifications". Here's what it reads,
You may also want to review our Life Experience Degree Program for degree programs that recognize credit for life experience gained in both ministry and secular fields. Trinity Institute has been empowering workers in the field for Christ since 1999, and we aren't going anywhere. We are fully accredited and endorsed by the American Theological Education Association. We verify all degrees for potential employers.
Didn't find it? Just visit their website (which looks suspiciously like the Trinity site) at: http://www.atea-accredited.com It doesn't specify who it's directors or corporate officers are, but it's pretty obvious.
They also state:
"Our Seminary does grant religious degrees for use in Christian ministry and does so legally without accreditation because we are exempt."
They further write: Furthermore, as many other religious degree-granting institutions have chosen to do, we wish to maintain our independence from state interference and regulation. Many seminaries choose not to take part in the accreditation system even though we would qualify easily. (And qualify to pay their $10,000 - $40,000 accrediting fees!) As a religious organization that exclusively grants religious degrees, we do not wish to be subject to any state regulatory or "approval" system.
A while ago, they openly accredited their own degrees with much more advertisement; Much the same way that the Universal Life Church (which, by the way, offers a much less expensive doctoral degree that is probably more recognized.) incorporated its own accreditation agency. I would agree that it is very easy to qualify for accreditation if you just happen to run the agency, too! They also blow a lot of hot breath about "incorporating" and how it stifles your religious freedom, and blah, blah, blah. Ironically, it also makes you accountable to the tax-man (who I've heard is very interested in the income of the UNTC lately). Funny thing is, if you look very closely on their diplomas (which don't even read TECU), they do - in fact - specify that they are "incorporated"- though there is apparently no record in Alabama. After speaking to a couple of old-timers in the field of diploma-mill hunting, it's already being looked at - closely.
Another thing that strikes me is the fact that you can order your transcripts at the same time you are awarded your $225 Doctorate (honoris causa). Is there a such thing as a transcript for an honorary degree? Oh, heck... Why not? One of the earlier writers stated that every university gets its paper from Office Max. When I receieved my Juris Doctorate, it was not printed on cheap certificate paper.
Come one, let's face it. They're a scam. If you don't agree, the "Prelate", a completely and historically Catholic, and ONLY Catholic, office will excommunicate your butt! Is there any irony in Dr. Nicky styling herself as a "Prelate" when she is the head of a New Testament (Protestant) church? It was the Catholic prelates who would have burned her at the stake for such perceived heresy. This really made me laugh. So, let me shed a little light on the subject. My friend was scammed by these cons. He didn't know any better, until he discussed it with me. He has since sh*t-canned his worthless papers and got his head on straight.
Here's another funny line from their apology: "Someone said Trinity Evangelical Christian University is fake. Is this true? Saying something about an organization doesn't make it true..."
Yeah, but a lot of people say it! Ha ha Ha ha!
The more they write, the more frustrated they become (it's a tell-tale sign of their prose). They add:
Often, these kinds of statements come from individuals who may not be very well educated in matters of religious education. They may know a great deal about secular education, but religious education is Constitutionally an entirely different matter. Attempting to oppress religious educational freedoms by imparting an understanding of secular educational laws and models is unfortunately a relatively common practice. We have heard of this before, and undoubtedly will again. For those who have done their homework with regard to religious educational freedoms, statements like these only highlight the individual's lack of education and understanding in the matter.
I would hope that myself (a JD from a regionally accreditted state university) and Dr. John Bear are not attempting to oppress religious educational freedoms - only those attempting to exploit a Constitutional loophole. I can assure you, I have no misunderstanding in the matter. There is no debate that I am considered an expert in the field by any legal standard.
It is obvious that purchasers are buying degrees in order to mislead the public. The law bases its foundations upon the everyday perception of the "common man". Most common men believe when they meet a Doctor of Christian Counseling on the street, he has been to seminary and then done a couple of years of post-grad work in the field - along with several thousand hours of clinical practicum. I reckon that under the Trinity standards, ole' Joseph Smith himself would more than qualify for a life-experience doctorate in Biblical archaeology. I mean, he did dig up some pretty nifty golden plates that founded a tremendously huge cult, right?
I don't suppose I see that anywhere in the Trinity catalog. Anyway, it's a scam. Why argue about it? Like they say, you can put lipstick on a pig...
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