FIGHTING THE PC MENACE – AT 10:17 A.M. ET:  I hope readers have been following the case of a University of Illinois adjunct professor of religion who has been fired because his comments in class upset some students.

Apparently, the professor's sin was to agree with Catholic doctrine in a course on...Catholicism.  Whoever thought you can agree with a major Western religion?  Silly people.

Now, though, the forces of rationality are striking back.  From Fox:

Faculty and students are rallying behind a University of Illinois professor whom they say was fired simply because of his religious beliefs.

Dr. Kenneth Howell, an adjunct professor who taught courses on Catholicism, was told recently that he could no longer teach in the university's Department of Religion. A student at the university accused Howell of engaging in hate speech when he stated in a class review session that he agreed with the Church's teaching that homosexual sex is immoral.

But Howell refused to leave without a fight, and now he has over 3,100 supporters fighting with him -- via a Facebook group called “Save Dr. Ken.”

“It’s turning into a whole movement for freedom of speech in the classroom,” said senior Tim Fox, a member of the group and former resident at the university’s Catholic student Newman Center.

The “Save Dr. Ken” Facebook group includes alumni, current students and outside supporters who are familiar with Howell through his books or his appearances on EWTN, a Catholic television network. Howell is actively involved in the group and has written personal responses to some of his Facebook supporters.

Whether you agree or disagree with Dr. Howell's views, firing him for stating that he agrees with his Church is pretty outrageous.  Oh, by the way, the University of Illinois is also the employer of Bill Ayers, former and unrepentant terrorist, and mentor to Barack Obama, who doesn't seem to remember him.  There are no moves to fire Ayers. 

After years of intimidation, maybe the adults are striking back at the way universities in this country are run these days.

A student questioned the university's apparent double standard:

"Professor Howell didn’t mean to insult homosexuals; he was just stating the Catholic position,” said Mike Hamoy, a senior chemistry major who took Howell’s class in fall 2009. “I’ve had multiple professors who have mocked how much Catholic families reproduce or who have implied to the class that God is a joke. Why aren’t these professors fired for their open insults?” 

Excellent question.  You may be sure the university won't answer it.

July 18, 2010