Fla. Gov. calls for investigation into Student suspension over word Jesus

[tinydancer]

Well at least the University came to their senses and apologized. Here's the background of the story in case you missed it.

Outrage after university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it


A university is under fire after a class assignment instructed its students to write the word 'Jesus' on a piece of paper, throw it on the floor and then stomp on it.

Florida Gov Rick Scott has now demanded an investigation into the ‘offensive’ assignment after a Florida Atlantic University professor allegedly threw a student out of his class for refusing to participate.

Ryan Rotela, a junior at FAU’s Davie campus who describes himself as a devout Mormon, says it was his refusal to participate that led to his suspension.



And here's where the situation sits now.

On Tuesday Gov Scott showed that their apology may not be enough.

'I am requesting a report of the incident, how it was handled and a statement of the university’s policies to ensure this type of "lesson" will not occur again,' he wrote to State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan.

Gov Scott says he later called Mr Rotela personally to discuss the matter.

‘I told him that it took great conviction and bravery to stand up and say what he was asked to do was wrong, and went against what he believed in,’ Scott told the Sun Sentinel.

Threatened: Mr Rotela, who describes himself as a devout Mormon, says that after he returned with an attorney from the Texas-based Liberty Institute his school apologized



FAU: University instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on floor and stomp on it | Mail Online

 

[Desperado]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

 

[g5000]

I guess the Intercultural Communications professor was too chickenshit to have the students write "Mohammed" on the paper and stomp on it.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

Except for the fact he kicked out a student. That means the intent was not to cause consternation at all.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

Except for the fact he kicked out a student. That means the intent was not to cause consternation at all.

We don't know what went on in that classroom, or why the student was suspended. We only have the student's side of the story.

The professor is a "she", by the way.

It's staggeringly unlikely that the kid was suspended because he fulfilled the point of the lesson. It's much more likely that the student reacted in a way that resulted in his suspension.

There's a rumor going around that he threatened the teacher - supposedly coming from other students in the class. I'm not saying those rumors are true - just that there's more to the story than what you guys are publicizing.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

 

[tinydancer]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

The student was suspended. The student did not approach anyone over this issue until he received the suspension.

So was this a "lesson" or a "torment" for a devout Christian student?

I say the latter.

And why the suspension?

Mr Rotela said he went to speak with his professor's supervisor two days after, and found himself suspended.



FAU: University instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on floor and stomp on it | Mail Online

 

[tinydancer]

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

Except for the fact he kicked out a student. That means the intent was not to cause consternation at all.

We don't know what went on in that classroom, or why the student was suspended. We only have the student's side of the story.

The professor is a "she", by the way.

It's staggeringly unlikely that the kid was suspended because he fulfilled the point of the lesson. It's much more likely that the student reacted in a way that resulted in his suspension.

There's a rumor going around that he threatened the teacher - supposedly coming from other students in the class. I'm not saying those rumors are true - just that there's more to the story than what you guys are publicizing.

Yeah I really believe a devout Mormon student is going to threaten to punch out a teacher.



What bullshit rumor is this? Link?

 

[g5000]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

If the professor REALLY wanted to find a highly charged symbol to desecrate, why not have the kids write "MOHAMMED" on the paper and step on it?

The professor is a chickenshit asshole who only dares to offend those who won't hit back.

Let's see some REAL intercultural communication! Take THAT Mohammed!

 

[theDoctorisIn]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

The student was suspended. The student did not approach anyone over this issue until he received the suspension.

So was this a "lesson" or a "torment" for a devout Christian student?

I say the latter.

And why the suspension?

Mr Rotela said he went to speak with his professor's supervisor two days after, and found himself suspended.



FAU: University instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on floor and stomp on it | Mail Online

"Torment"? The exercise was optional - no one was "forced" to do anything - and I don't know of any rule in Christianity that forbids stepping on Jesus's name.

And we only have the student's side of the story - we don't know why he was actually suspended, only what he claims was the reason.

You guys are insisting on painting this as an anti-Christianity thing, which is really missing the entire point.

 

[SuMar]

They should take the Professor's paycheck, throw it on the ground and stomp on it. Then give her directions to the unemployment office. She can join the ranks of Obama supporters and get on welfare.

 

[tinydancer]

And by the way if you read the article, the University has apologized. It's not just the student's side of the story.

And you can't blame the student for getting a lawyer when that unfair suspension would have been on his record.

It was after Mr Rotela returned with an attorney from the Texas-based Liberty Institute that he says the school changed its tune.

FAU'S Dean of Students Cory King told him last week that any disciplinary charges would be dropped, according to Mr Rotela.

'He apologized in person for what happened and how everything went out of control,' Mr Rotela told the Palm Beach Post.

In a statement later released on the university's website, the school called the assignment 'insensitive and unacceptable' while noting it having been written by a professor unaffiliated with FAU.

'Based on the offensive nature of the exercise, we will not use it again and have issued an apology to the community. It was insensitive and unacceptable.

We continue to apologize to all the people who were offended and deeply regret this situation has occurred,' the statement reads.

'No students were forced to take part in the exercise; the instructor told all of the students in the class that they could choose whether or not to participate. No students will be disciplined in any way related to this exercise, either inside or outside the classroom.'


FAU: University instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on floor and stomp on it | Mail Online

 

[Desperado]

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

There are a lot of other ways that the point could have been made.
Out of respect, you do not mock other people Gods or religion.
The way the point was supposedly being made has no place in a college course.

 

[g5000]

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

The student was suspended. The student did not approach anyone over this issue until he received the suspension.

So was this a "lesson" or a "torment" for a devout Christian student?

I say the latter.

And why the suspension?

Mr Rotela said he went to speak with his professor's supervisor two days after, and found himself suspended.



FAU: University instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on floor and stomp on it | Mail Online

"Torment"? The exercise was optional - no one was "forced" to do anything - and I don't know of any rule in Christianity that forbids stepping on Jesus's name.

There is no rule forbidding burning the flag, either. But asking someone to do so in a class would be very offensive to most people.

 

[ogibillm]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

If the professor REALLY wanted to find a highly charged symbol to desecrate, why not have the kids write "MOHAMMED" on the paper and step on it?

The professor is a chickenshit asshole who only dares to offend those who won't hit back.

Let's see some REAL intercultural communication! Take THAT Mohammed!

would that have bothered you?

it wouldn't have bothered me, because to me 'mohammed' means nothing.

you're assuming the point of the exercise was the desecrate a symbol. i highly doubt that was the case.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

If the professor REALLY wanted to find a highly charged symbol to desecrate, why not have the kids write "MOHAMMED" on the paper and step on it?

The professor is a chickenshit asshole who only dares to offend those who won't hit back.

Let's see some REAL intercultural communication! Take THAT Mohammed!

Since I would assume that most of the students in her class were Christian, not Muslim, it would kinda ruin the point of the lesson, wouldn't it?

You guys might be taking offense at this - but I don't think that was the professor's point.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

university instructor told students to write the word 'Jesus' on paper, throw it on the floor and stomp on it

What exactly was the professor trying to teach?
Is their apology good enough.... Hell no, someone needs to be fired.
There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior from the professor and there is no excuse for the University for backing him up.

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

If the professor REALLY wanted to find a highly charged symbol to desecrate, why not have the kids write "MOHAMMED" on the paper and step on it?

The professor is a chickenshit asshole who only dares to offend those who won't hit back.

Let's see some REAL intercultural communication! Take THAT Mohammed!

Of course he was chicken because he knows the muslims will do a salmon rushdie on his head.

 

[g5000]

The class was on symbolism.

The entire point of the exercise was that people would object to it - the point of the exercise is that people would hesitate to step on a piece of paper with Jesus written on it - a symbol with no actual religious meaning - because their mind would associate that symbol with what it represents.

It was actually quite a good lesson plan - and if anything, the whole "scandal" about it proved the professor's point.

If the professor REALLY wanted to find a highly charged symbol to desecrate, why not have the kids write "MOHAMMED" on the paper and step on it?

The professor is a chickenshit asshole who only dares to offend those who won't hit back.

Let's see some REAL intercultural communication! Take THAT Mohammed!

would that have bothered you?

it wouldn't have bothered me, because to me 'mohammed' means nothing.

you're assuming the point of the exercise was the desecrate a symbol. i highly doubt that was the case.

The exercise IS a desecration. A deliberate one. That was the point of the exercise, to do something offensive to Christians.

If word got out that an Intercultural Communications professor had students stomp on Mohammed's name, what reaction would you expect would be occurring right now?


Yeah. Exactly. The professor would be needing to hire protection.


If the professor had the kids burn a flag, there'd be vets crawling all over that campus and the professor's house.



The professor is a chickenshit, offending people who won't hit back.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Except for the fact he kicked out a student. That means the intent was not to cause consternation at all.

We don't know what went on in that classroom, or why the student was suspended. We only have the student's side of the story.

The professor is a "she", by the way.

It's staggeringly unlikely that the kid was suspended because he fulfilled the point of the lesson. It's much more likely that the student reacted in a way that resulted in his suspension.

There's a rumor going around that he threatened the teacher - supposedly coming from other students in the class. I'm not saying those rumors are true - just that there's more to the story than what you guys are publicizing.

Yeah I really believe a devout Mormon student is going to threaten to punch out a teacher.



What bullshit rumor is this? Link?

I'm trying to find the link.

As I said initially, I don't necessarily believe those rumors. The point is there's more to the story.