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 | Blogs > linus801 > Words for His people > CHRISTIAN STUDENT WINS FREEDOM OF RELIGION |
CHRISTIAN STUDENT WINS FREEDOM OF RELIGION
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Many Christian students in public universities complain about liberal professors. The problem is not that these professors open students to a gamut of ideas - fresh and divergent thinking is vital to intellectual discovery. What too often happens, however, is that liberalism is embraced and conservative ideas and people are tacitly censored. And occasionally, professors give class assignments that put conservative students in difficult situations - like requiring them to advocate for homosexual adoption. That's what Emily Brooker faced in a required class taught by Dr. Frank G. Kauffman at Missouri State University. The university has recently settled a case with Brooker, after she filed a lawsuit saying that her Free Speech rights had been violated. Brooker is studying to become a social worker, and Dr. Kauffman taught two of the classes she had to take at the University of Missouri. Brooker said that Dr. Kaufman told the class on the first day that he was liberal but open to differing opinions on things. Brooker quickly found out that Dr. Kaufman was not as open as he said, however. When she offered conservative viewpoints during political discussions, he did not appreciate her comments. Then came the advocacy assignment. Dr. Kaufman assigned his students to write to their senator in favor of homosexual adoption and foster care. Brooker and another student told the professor that the assignment violated their personal beliefs. Brooker told CNS News: "We were willing to do all of the research and the other parts of the assignment, even writing a letter - we just didn't want to sign it and send it to our senator. We did not feel that advocating for this is in our personal beliefs." Dr. Kauffman responded by filing a "level three" grievance against Brooker because of her refusal to advocate for gay adoption. She was told that her religious views conflicted with the National Association of Social Workers' code of ethics, and she had violated three standards of the School of Social Work; diversity, interpersonal skills and professional behavior. She was sent before the ethics committee, where she was asked questions like, "Do you think gays and lesbians are sinners?" After the grievance was filed, Brooker asked for help from the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal organization that works to protect religious rights. To its credit, Missouri State University made a quick investigation into the matter, and settled out of court last week. The university has agreed to pay Brooker $9000, plus free tuition and a $3000 per year housing allowance for her two years as a Master's student. Dr. Kauffman has stepped down from his position as director of the Master of Social Work program and has been assigned to non-teaching duties. Erik Stanley, chief counsel for Liberty Counsel, told CNS News that what Dr. Kauffman had done was "appalling". "Those types of issues like homosexuality or abortion - things that are very divisive and that people hold very strong religious views on - should not be mandated by the government in order to engage in these kinds of professions, like social work," Stanley said. "The end result of the homosexual movement is not same-\bsexo?\b marriage. It is silencing the opposition. The end goal of the same-\bsexo?\b movement cannot tolerate anybody that has an opposing view point. These kinds of cases are indicative of that." It's important that Chistian students know they do have rights in the classroom, even when liberal professors try to muffle conservative voices. Students should always be respectful of the position of teachers and administrators, but they do not have to be bullied into doing what they believe to be morally wrong. Related Links: • University Settles Student’s Lawsuit - The Kansas City Star • Liberal Professor Targeted Me From Day One, Says Christian Student - CNS News |
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11/23/2006 2:59 pm |
THIS is very important for people to know. Why isn't there more reading this??? Quote: " 'The end result of the homosexual movement is not same-\bsexo?\b marriage. It is silencing the opposition. The end goal of the same-\bsexo?\b movement cannot tolerate anybody that has an opposing view point. These kinds of cases are indicative of that.' It's important that Chistian students know they do have rights in the classroom, even when liberal professors try to muffle conservative voices. Students should always be respectful of the position of teachers and administrators, but they do not have to be bullied into doing what they believe to be morally wrong. " READ and pass on!! 
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11/23/2006 5:51 pm |
THIS is very important for people to know. Why isn't there more reading this??? Quote: " 'The end result of the homosexual movement is not same-\bsexo?\b marriage. It is silencing the opposition. The end goal of the same-\bsexo?\b movement cannot tolerate anybody that has an opposing view point. These kinds of cases are indicative of that.' It's important that Chistian students know they do have rights in the classroom, even when liberal professors try to muffle conservative voices. Students should always be respectful of the position of teachers and administrators, but they do not have to be bullied into doing what they believe to be morally wrong. " READ and pass on!! Thanks for your support,
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11/23/2006 6:23 pm |
This is wonderful!!!! I praise God that such as this is making the news. Christians are making a difference in this world. Have you noticed my postings on the Wal-Mart issue? They have stood down!!!!! Praise the Lord. When we join our voices together such as with the American Family Association and others like them, we can be heard!!!! Ephesians 6:13 . . .and having done all, to stand 
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11/23/2006 7:20 pm |
amen........we christians must keep our voices heard in God, I trust
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11/24/2006 2:27 am |
This is wonderful!!!! I praise God that such as this is making the news. Christians are making a difference in this world. Have you noticed my postings on the Wal-Mart issue? They have stood down!!!!! Praise the Lord. When we join our voices together such as with the American Family Association and others like them, we can be heard!!!! God Bless U my friend.
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