Believe in God? Well, that makes you a “fascist b****rd,” according to LA college professor
***NOTE: ADF Senior Counsel David French is scheduled to appear on the O’Reilly Factor TONIGHT at 8 PM Eastern to discuss this case***
The “tolerance” of the American university, in full bloom.
ADF: Calif. professor to student: “Ask God what your grade is”
Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a lawsuit against officials of the Los Angeles Community College District Wednesday. The lawsuit comes after a professor censored and threatened to expel a student following a speech about marriage and his Christian faith during an open-ended assignment in a public speaking class.
“Christian students shouldn’t be penalized or discriminated against for speaking about their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Counsel David French. “Public institutions of higher learning cannot selectively censor Christian speech. This student was speaking well within the confines of his professor’s assignment when he was censored and ultimately threatened with expulsion.”
On Nov. 24, 2008, Los Angeles City College speech professor John Matteson interrupted and ended Jonathan Lopez’s presentation mid-speech, calling him a “fascist bastard” in front of the class for speaking about his faith, which included reading the dictionary definition of marriage and reciting two Bible verses. Instead of allowing Lopez to finish, Matteson told the other students they could leave if they were offended. When no one left, Matteson dismissed the class. Refusing to grade the assigned speech, Matteson wrote on Lopez’s evaluation, “Ask God what your grade is.”
One week later, after seeing Lopez talking to the college’s dean of academic affairs, Matteson told Lopez that he would make sure he’d be expelled from school. Matteson’s treatment of Lopez during his speech follows an earlier incident in which Matteson told his entire class after the November election, “If you voted yes on Proposition 8, you are a fascist bastard.”
“Professor Matteson clearly violated Mr. Lopez’s free speech rights by engaging in viewpoint discrimination and retaliation because he disagreed with the student’s religious beliefs,” said French. “When students are given open-ended assignments in a public speaking class, the First Amendment protects their ability to express their views. Moreover, the district has a speech code that has created a culture of censorship on campus. America’s public universities and colleges are supposed to be a ‘marketplace of ideas,’ not a hotbed of intolerance.”
Handy, dandy fact sheet here.
Professor’s love note here.
David French’s NRO commentary: Prop 8 Fever Strikes the Campus
That was not the end of the matter. When Lopez complained of his treatment to the dean, the professor threatened Lopez with expulsion. When Lopez sent a more formal demand letter (through counsel), the school responded with an assurance that a confidential disciplinary process would be initiated but then went out of its way to note that other students complained that Lopez was “preaching hate” and “spout[ing] hateful propaganda.”
These hate-speech comments were particularly ominous, considering that the Los Angeles Community College District has a rather oppressive speech code, which permits the school to punish “offensive” speech or speech that has an undefined “negative impact” on a student’s academic performance (one section of the school’s policies even permits punishment for mere “generalized sexist statements”).
So now Lopez is challenging the speech code and the actions taken against him, hopeful that all students on campus will enjoy greater freedom as a result of his case and that the debate over marriage will be just that, a debate—and not degenerate once again into a campaign of threats and censorship.
The incomparable Dr. Mike Adams also weighs in: Ask God What Your Grade Is
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Posted by G. Fortunato on February 16, 2009 2:27 pm
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Bigotry, Constitution, Education, Fascism, Indoctrination, Multiculturalism/PC, News, Political Correctness, Propaganda
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- Lawsuit: College Speech Teacher Calls Student ‘Fascist Bastard’ « TheScroogeReport pinged this post.
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11 Responses to “Believe in God? Well, that makes you a “fascist b****rd,” according to LA college professor”
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Syndicate Me
The ‘Ask God what your grade is’ remark would not be condoned in any professional setting. This also applies to ‘fascist bastard.’ So, why would this be permitted from a teacher? Most teachers claim to be professionals. If that is true they will oppose such behaviorin their midst.
Wow, this Matteson seems like a real piece of work. It’s ironic (and, by that I mean, typical) that people who accuse others of being fascists are themselves fascists. He so deserves his butt kicked out of that school.
I give props to Lopez. He’s handling this better than I would. If I was treated this way by a teacher, I would raise hell. I have years of experience annoying people to no end. I would actually delight in the chance to drive this Matteson chump crazy (well, I guess “crazier” would be a more correct term).
send Mr Matterson an email and let him know who the real “fascist bastard” it is he and not his students. matteson151@earthlink.net
Crazy LA college professor???
I thought you were quoting Charles Johnson.
First off, I talked with God a few minutes ago and he said, “Give him an A”. Then I talked some more and was told Lopez should should the ever lovin (edited) out of them and that He, (God) would help out when it hit the court system with a huge settlement that would buy him a nice house in the country, one in town and wheels that would make a pimp blush.
I am an Atheist and I find it personally appalling that this instructor behaved in the manner that he did. He is evidently unaware of the first amendment or blatantly disregarded it when he decided to ridicule this students essay.
Our constitution is very clear on our separation of church and state; however, in such an instance where a student attributes their personal experiences coincidentally or directly with their prescribed faith, it is also their constitutional right to do so.
On the same topic, I can equally elect to describe my lack of faith based on my life experiences. Is there a difference?
No. That is the beauty of our constitution. As a citizen of the USA I gladly offer my hand to those of faith in defence of their right to practice theirs without malice or violence.
And a simple after thought: This is the mission statement of the American Civil Liberties Union or ACLU:
The ACLU is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.
These rights include:
• Your First Amendment rights – freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
• Your right to equal protection under the law – protection against unlawful discrimination.
• Your right to due process – fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.
• Your right to privacy – freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.
The ACLU also works to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; women; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; prisoners; and people with disabilities. .
If the rights of society’s most vulnerable members are denied, everybody’s rights are imperiled.
Any of you crybabies wish to argue the point with me? I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the USA when I enlisted to serve my country and the ACLU is an organization that holds that very same oath as true to its goals.
Hey ‘Liberal Patriot’,
I’m going to use my freedom of speech and say that, your “lack of faith” is just another belief system. Atheism is a religion. And that takes faith.
Do you not have faith that the chair you may be sitting on will hold you up. Or that your roof will stay put.
Just my two cents, take it or leave it.
Yeah, Lib Pat, the ACLU does say this about itself and you are free to believe it. You might want to consider that the People’s Republic of China includes the following in its constitution:
Article 2. All power in the People’s Republic of China belongs to the people.
Article 4. All nationalities in the People’s Republic of China are equal.
Article 13. The state protects the right of citizens to own lawfully earned income, savings, houses and other lawful property.
Article 26. The state protects and improves the living environment
Article 27. All state organs carry out the principle of simple and efficient administration
Article 29. The armed forces of the People’s Republic of China belong to the people.
I could go on. Would you consider the Chinese Communist Party’s self-description a credible source? As a “free-thinker” I would think you’d treat the ACLU marketing operation with some more skepticism.
BTW — thanks for your support of Jonathan Lopez’s rights.
Not surprised, but you omitted “society’s most vulnerable members.”
To: R.Henson
That email is for a different John Matteson.