University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs

[Revmitchell]

URBANA, Ill. -- The University of Illinois has fired an adjunct professor who taught courses on Catholicism after a student accused the instructor of engaging in hate speech by saying he agrees with the church's teaching that homosexual sex is immoral.

The professor, Ken Howell of Champaign, said his firing violates his academic freedom. He also lost his job at an on-campus Catholic center.

Howell, who taught Introduction to Catholicism and Modern Catholic Thought, says he was fired at the end of the spring semester after sending an e-mail explaining some Catholic beliefs to his students preparing for an exam.

"Natural Moral Law says that Morality must be a response to REALITY," he wrote in the e-mail. "In other words, sexual acts are only appropriate for people who are complementary, not the same."

An unidentified student sent an e-mail to religion department head Robert McKim on May 13, calling Howell's e-mail "hate speech." The student claimed to be a friend of the offended student. The writer said in the e-mail that his friend wanted to remain anonymous

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/09/university-illinois-instructor-fired-catholic-beliefs/

 

[ReformedBaptist]

This is as disgusting as the state of NC telling a pastor not to pray in the name of Jesus. I would hope this teacher will sue the school.

 

[rbell]

And these bozos have the gall to criticize things like the inquisition and witch trials.

Yet a student can send anonymous notes with baseless accusations accusing a professor of holding a view consistent with his religious beliefs...yet it's "hate speech." (What a load.)

It's got next to zero chance, but I hope the prof sues these idiots and wins.

 

[Jon-Marc]

The student wanted to remain anonymous because he knows that homosexuality is wrong. I am never embarrassed or ashamed to admit to something if I know it's not wrong, but I wouldn't openly admit to sin unless I am confessing it and asking God's forgiveness for it.

If homosexuality is so right and natural, why are so many still ashamed to admit to it? How many married people willingly admit to committing adultery--other than calling it an "affair" when they're caught, or saying "I made a mistake"?

 

[Melanie]

....ah so.....what a chicken hearted mob that uni must be...where is the natural justice of the accused knowing his accuser.....cowards!

 

[billwald]

>If homosexuality is so right and natural, why are so many still ashamed to admit to it?

NON-SEQUITUR. I never put a "Christian" sign on any vehicle because I am not the greatest driver in the world, not because I am ashamed to admit that I am a Christian.

On the other hand, there is a law suit going on in Washington because patriotic, Christian right wingers are afraid to have their neighbors know they signed an anti-homosexual initiative petition, which is a public record in WA.

 

[Don]

>If homosexuality is so right and natural, why are so many still ashamed to admit to it?

NON-SEQUITUR. I never put a "Christian" sign on any vehicle because I am not the greatest driver in the world, not because I am ashamed to admit that I am a Christian.

On the other hand, there is a law suit going on in Washington because patriotic, Christian right wingers are afraid to have their neighbors know they signed an anti-homosexual initiative petition, which is a public record in WA.

And why would Christians be afraid to have their neighbors know they signed such a petition?

Wouldn't have anything to do with the retribution rabid pro-homosexual activists have promised to exact up on them for doing so? (or rather, I should say, have done so in the past)

 

[jaigner]

Wow - this is a change - we looove to hate on Catholics on this board.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Wow - this is a change - we looove to hate on Catholics on this board.

It's only a change in your mind because you have a false understanding of those of us to reprove papal doctrine and show the papacy to be Antichrist.

When we see injustice then the just cry out against it.

 

[billwald]

Whatever happened to "I have but one life to give to my country?" A long way from there to being afraid to have one's name seen on a petition. "Give me liberty or give me death?" Fat chance of that.

 

[Don]

When Patrick Henry said that, there was a general consensus at the time period to not mess with his wife or family.