Illinois professor fired for giving Catholic teaching on homosexuality

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Dr. Kenneth Howell.

Champaign, Ill., Jul 9, 2010 / 06:20 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The University of Illinois has fired an adjunct professor for teaching in a class on Catholicism that homosexual acts violate natural moral law.

Dr. Kenneth Howell was informed that he could no longer teach in the university's department of religion. The decision came after a student complained that Howell's statements were “hate speech.”

In response to his firing, Howell wrote a letter to friends explaining the events surrounding his dismissal.

Howell said in the letter, which was obtained by CNA, that he first came to teach at the St. John's Catholic Newman Center in 1998. At the time, courses on the Catholic faith were taught through the Newman Center, he explained, but in 2000, an agreement was made with the University of Illinois' department of religion, and he became an adjunct professor in the department and taught classes on Catholicism.

“Since the Fall of 2001, I have been regularly teaching two courses in the department of religion,” Howell explained. One of the classes, “Introduction to Catholicism,” includes an explanation of Natural Moral Law as affirmed by the Church as well as an application of Natural Law Theory to a disputed social issue.

“Most of those semesters, my chosen topic was the moral status of homosexual acts,” he explained.

Howell said he taught the Catholic Church's position on homosexuality. He summed it up by saying, “A homosexual orientation is not morally wrong just as no moral guilt can be assigned to any inclination that a person has. However, based on natural moral law, the Church believes that homosexual acts are contrary to human nature and therefore morally wrong.”

To show how homosexual behavior would be considered under competing moral systems, Howell sent an e-mail to the students contrasting utilitarianism with natural moral law. “I tried to show them that under utilitarianism, homosexual acts would not be considered immoral whereas under natural moral law they would,” Howell said. “This is because natural moral law, unlike utilitarianism, judges morality on the basis of the acts themselves.”

A complaint about Howell's statement was sent in a May 13 e-mail to Robert McKim, head of the religion department. The e-mail was sent by a student who was not in Howell's class, but said he was writing on behalf of a friend who was in the class and wished to remain anonymous. The e-mail complained about Howell's statements on homosexuality, calling them “hate speech.”

"Teaching a student about the tenets of a religion is one thing," said the e-mail, according to The News-Gazette. "Declaring that homosexual acts violate the natural laws of man is another. The courses at this institution should be geared to contribute to the public discourse and promote independent thought; not limit one's worldview and ostracize people of a certain sexual orientation."

Howell said that at the end of the semester, he was called into Robert McKim's office and told that he would no longer be permitted to teach for the department. Howell objected that to dismiss him for teaching the Catholic position in a class on Catholicism was a violation of academic freedom and first amendment rights. “This made no difference,” he said. “After that conversation and a couple of emails, Professor McKim insisted that this decision to dismiss me stood firm.”

According to the local paper The News-Gazette, Howell said he has had students disagree with him in the past, but never in such a manner.

"My responsibility on teaching a class on Catholicism is to teach what the Catholic Church teaches," he said. "I have always made it very, very clear to my students they are never required to believe what I'm teaching and they'll never be judged on that."

The News-Gazette reported that Howell also said he was open with students about his own beliefs as a practicing Catholic. "It's not a violation of academic freedom to advocate a position, if one does it as an appeal on rational grounds and it's pertinent to the subject," he said.

Later, Howell said, Msgr. Gregory Ketcham, the current Director of the St. John’s Catholic Newman Center, informed him that the Center would not be able to continue employing him since there was no longer any teaching for him to do.

“I suggested that we work together to have courses on Catholicism taught at the Newman Center that could be accredited by a Catholic university and that could be transferred into the University of Illinois for credit,” Howell said. “In this way, the students whom we had been called to serve could continue to be instructed in the Catholic Faith.”

However, Monsignor Ketcham said that he had no interest in such a plan, according to Howell.

Howell is currently working with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) to seek legal redress.

David French, senior counsel for the ADF said in a written statement, "A university cannot censor professors' speech – including classroom speech related to the topic of the class – merely because some students find that speech 'offensive.' Professors have the freedom to challenge students and to educate them by exposing them to different views. The Alliance Defense Fund is working with Professor Howell because the defense of academic freedom is essential on the university campus."

Comments: 81

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Joseph Ososkie
Trenton michigan 08/01/2010 11:26 AM EST

THIS is not, I repeat NOT Hate Speech....but if it causes some narcissistic injury to some gay guys, I suggest they engage in civil discussion with the local Jesuit. For those who still do not believe we are at, or on the edge of, 1984, with post-structuralist Nazis trying to control our thoughts, I recommend they study this story closely!

Published by: Helen
N.Woodstock, NH 07/28/2010 08:26 AM EST

I thought you took courses to learn about subjects!

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe 07/20/2010 08:00 PM EST

"...I know this doesn’t answer all the questions in many of your minds. All I ask as your teacher is that you approach these questions as a thinking adult. That implies questioning what you have heard around you. Unless you have done extensive research into homosexuality and are cognizant of the history of moral thought, you are not ready to make judgments about moral truth in this matter. All I encourage is to make informed decisions. As a final note, a perceptive reader will have noticed that none of what I have said here or in class depends upon religion. Catholics don’t arrive at their moral conclusions based on their religion. They do so based on a thorough understanding of natural reality." Kenneth J. Howell Ph.D.

Published by: Nancy D.
U.S.A. 07/18/2010 07:36 PM EST

Homosexual sexual acts do not respect the Dignity of the Human Person.How exactly is that hate speech?

Published by: Cathy Burgard
Lombard, IL 60148 07/15/2010 04:46 PM EST

It is amazing to me that when liberals do not agree with the professor, he gets fired. I was personally made fun of in Psych 100 in 1972 at U of I for my beliefs being a born again christian. Where is freedom of speech and to teach the doctrine of religion? You stop that and you welcome socialism!

Published by: Max
Atlanta, GA 07/14/2010 12:04 AM EST

Rate: Regular

It would be nice if this article went into more detail about Dr. Howell discussed in his class--if what I've read in other sources is true, it is pretty offensive; it sounds more like political discourse than religious doctrine. Let's face it, the Catholic church doesn't exactly have a great record on issues of race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. This incident and many of the comments here suggest that it will continue to lack moral authority in these areas.

Published by: psalm
detroit 07/13/2010 09:21 PM EST

"Hate speech" *BUZZWORD ALERT* I guess pulling the hate card when it doesn't necessarily apply is still in fashion. "Teaching a student about the tenets of a religion is one thing," the student wrote. "Declaring that homosexual acts violate the natural laws of man is another." Declaring that homosexual acts violate the natural laws of man IS teaching the tenants of a religion. SO... What's the problem? Rather than ignorantly attacking the prof, how about the complainant offer a rebuttal and engage in a civil discussion? That's what grown- ups do. Put on your big boy pants and have a conversation. The person filing the complaint gets to hide behind anonymity while the prof loses his job and has his reputation tarnished with claims of "hate speech"? "The e-mails sent by Dr. Howell violate university standards of inclusivity" Do they not see the self refuting nature of this line of argumentation? Inclusive of all but Catholics?? Moral relativism... one big lie and a self refuting philosophy.

Published by: YOS
JC, NJ 07/13/2010 08:40 PM EST

jdcapshew Chairman McKim did the right thing in dismissing Professor Howell for hate speech. His personal opinions should not be part of his lecture especially when it demonizes a minority. YOS He was not giving his personal opinion. He was not demonizing anyone. Are lies the only method the New Brownshirts have? + + + OrochiTabris Doesn't your religion teach anything other than a hatred of gays? YOS It doesn't teach that. Get your facts straight. Or are "facts" an unfamiliar concept? Based on some of the responses above, a course in basic logic should have been required before exposing the poor darlings to the idea of natural laws. It is apparent that not one of them understands what exactly is meant by that. But that is because they are victims of the triumph of the will, and are ruled by appetites rather than intellect. And that results in "vulcanization" of neural patterns from the brain stem at the expense of rational patterns from the cortex. Thus, indulgence in the appetites impairs rational thought, something evident to Aristotle and Aquinas long before modern neurophysics was able to measure it. For the will to triumph and the appetites indulged, the virtue of temperance must be discarded; and to do that prudence must be discarded, and prudence is the virtue that connects the intellect to the will. Apparently, they think the Catholics simply made up a list of Things We Think Are Icky for no rhyme or reason.

Published by: Michael
Florida 07/13/2010 06:12 PM EST

If the university made such a serious decision to fire a professor, I would think there would be more to the story than is being reported. I find it interesting how extreme the comments from readers are when we may not know all the facts about this man.

Published by: F A H
Huntersville, NC USA 07/13/2010 10:29 AM EST

What adds to the sadness are all the posts applauding the firing of Dr. Howell. The hatred that these posters display for not only the Catholic Church, but Dr. Howell as well, shows the closed minds and hearts of those posters. There is no attempt made from these posters to see the absurdity of their posts, the lack of understanding on their part of just what the issue is. They just want to rant on about how much they hate what Catholic's teach, without knowing the reasons behind the Church's teaching. The world will never have their hearts moved toward true goodness until each person who hates turns to The One who loves like no man can. Of all human organizations in the world the Catholic Church has preformed and will continue to do so more good for mankind than any other. That is one of the major functions of the Church, but you won't see the negative posters on this site even believing that is possible. They just want to crush The Church and make Her vanish, let alone try to understand what is taught or why. IF all people of the world knew and understood the Catholic Church, and tried to practice what She teaches, regardless of what religion that person is, it would truly be a far better world than the one we are in. But practicing what is taught is very hard to do, hearts must be converted to true goodness and love for one another and most of all love of Jesus. Being a 'good person' is not good enough, for a good person can vary in understanding from person to person.

Published by: Kim A
Bangor, ME 07/13/2010 08:58 AM EST

Jesus with his message of truth was not welcome in his hometown, either. Dr. Howell is in good company!!!!

Published by: Graham Combs
Royal Oak, Michigan 07/12/2010 06:11 PM EST

Prof. Howell got to the crux of the matter when he stated that students would not be judged on whether they accepted his Catholic beliefs. That contrast starkly with the typical experience in the American university today. From my own experiences at a "public" law school in New York, you are very much judged on whether you accept the professor's values and beliefs and political views. Although not a Catholic at the time, I had already moved to a pro-life, anti-abortion position. A position that caused me no end of grief, including being shouted down by students while the instructor stood by in silence with her arms folded. Prof. Howell is the victim of a double standard. But isn't it more disspiriting that Msgr. Ketcham abandoned a faithful Catholic in his time of need? What's the point of a Newman Center? I would like to know what Newman Centers around the country think of Msgr. Ketcham's actions.

Published by: Jim
Columbus, OHIO USA 07/12/2010 05:01 PM EST

Rate: Bad

Thank you God! This is wonderful news. I pray that all his students realize that Dr. Howell is a bigot who should not only be fired but should be thrown in jail along with the supposedly "Christian" clergy at the evil catholic church.

Published by: psalm
detroit 07/12/2010 02:24 PM EST

‎"Hate speech" *BUZZWORD ALERT* I guess pulling the hate card when it doesn't necessarily apply is still in fashion. Someone doesn't agree with your views on homosexuality? just scream "hate speech" and people will pay attention. "Teaching a student about the tenets of a religion is one thing," the student wrote. "Declaring that homosexual acts violate the natural laws of man is another."... Declaring that homosexual acts violate the natural laws of man IS teaching the tenants of a religion. SO... What's the problem? Rather than ignorantly attacking the prof, how about the student offer a rebuttal and engage in a civil discussion? That's what grown- ups do. Put on your big boy pants and have a conversation. "The e-mails sent by Dr. Howell violate university standards of inclusivity" Do they not see the self refuting nature of this line of argumentation? Inclusive of all but Catholics?? So, the person filing the complaint wasn't even in the class? They get to hide behind anonymity while the prof loses his job and has his reputation tarnished by accusations of "hate speech"? What? Why not scream "hate" over the profs firing? That would never happen. Anti-Catholicism is an accepted bigotry. Moral relativism... one big lie and a self refuting philosophy.

Published by: Brian
ohio 07/12/2010 11:58 AM EST

Fired for teaching what was supposed to be taught in a class about an institution that has not changed it's stance on this subject since its beginning. Perhaps we should pray for the propagation of truth and right reasoning. We should pray for the courage to see what is logical apart from what we think and want. Natural moral law contains some of the most basic truths about humanity and so to not defend it or choose to reject it is to attack what holds us together as a community on the simplest level. University of Illinois: will you choose appeasing your political constituents or the truth?

Published by: Aaron L.
Pasig City 07/12/2010 10:27 AM EST

I pray for his legal redress. It is immensely illogical for a professor not to teach Catholicism from the point of view of Catholicism. Majorly flawed religion department in the University of Illinois.

Published by: Mark Et
Lou. 07/12/2010 10:08 AM EST

This is outrageous. I hope he sues them and wins.

Published by: Anne
Florida 07/12/2010 09:02 AM EST

Another blatant case of anti-catholicism. Each day we are attacked more and more for standing up for our beliefs. Each day there is more and more censoring, especially if you are a christian. If we don't seriously fight back against this, and if we don't refuse to accept the direction this country is going, we are going to be like communist China. Honestly, I don't see how this country can survive, and not dismantle itself in the next fifty years if we accept this path we're going on. Christ have mercy on us.

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 07/12/2010 06:58 AM EST

God bless this true and Holy professor Dr. Kenneth Howell!! It's sad that some little liberal heathen in his "Introduction to Catholicism" class thought that natural law and divine law are "hate speech" and complained to a like minded liberal board and got this good man fired. There is no doubt that academia, like ninety-nine percent of the "main stream media", is controlled by the freemasons and by the secular, leftist, marxist, progressivist liberals. If anyone, especially a Catholic dares to uphold natural law and Divine law, or to teach the truth about abominations such as homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, no fault divorce or Cohabitation he is either chastised and or fired like this professor was. You won't see secular, marxist and leftist organizations like the ACLU or the SPLC defending this professors First Amendment rights because to liberal organizations like the ACLU and SPLC only liberal speech and liberal "religions" that espouse like minded propaganda and ideology are "protected" under the Constitution. The sad thing is this type of behavior isn't unique to secular universities like Illinois, alot of "catholic" universities, presidents, teachers and boards think the same way as the University of Illinois.

Published by: Alfred Munga
Kenya 07/12/2010 01:38 AM EST

Shocking news! It is the professor's responsibility to subject his students to opinion well enough to steer them to debate that will finally lead to the forming of rational choices.

Published by: Randy
Peoria/Illinois/USA 07/12/2010 01:12 AM EST

I am deeply disappointed by the intolerant and misguided judgment leveled against Dr. Howell, a fine (Catholic) Religion Professor at the University of Illinois. From what I know of him, he certainly understands the Catholic faith and is charitable in his instruction methods. What is Robert McKim attempting to create in his Religion Department? The Natural Moral Law has been a guiding element of the Catholic faith and her teachings from the beginning. Dr Howell simply taught what the Catholic faith believes regarding homosexuality, authentically. You can take it or leave it. When we are tested on any elements of the Catholic faith, one NEED NOT believe them when stating what they are. That is how I would hope to take any course at a major university. Please give me the truth. Are Catholics supposed to deny or suppress this part of their faith in a “Catholicism Course”, when on the U of I campus? Our beliefs are a very personal freedom we must retain. Dr Howell assured his students that they need not believe, nor would be judged on their personal beliefs. I am amazed that this “hate speech” law can be distorted to enact such extreme intolerance in our educational process. Where are we headed? Freedom of Speech to engage and share the truths of our core beliefs is a basic freedom we cannot trample on. To make things worse, this religious censorship took place at my very own alma mater. I have lost all respect for this, my own university…

Published by: K.C.Thomas
Mumbai 07/11/2010 10:30 PM EST

sad to note that our authorities do not take action to fight out thye case of dismissal of the professor. It is necessary the lay people too should wake up and fight for such just causes. Why in a democratic secular country a section of the people are denied freedom of speach, freedom of religion. The catholic and all the christian community must rise against injustice

Published by: peter
US 07/11/2010 09:40 PM EST

Apparently "tolerance" has been defined by the politically correct as acceptance of their particalur viewpoints. You don't have to agree with me...but I don't have to agree with you either. I've ceased being impressed by the irrationality of the small-minded. This student managed to get a teacher fired for expressing views that the teacher may not even have personally held. Good job nitwit. Even better job, idiot school administrator.

Published by: Richard j Lisanti
Christiansburg/VA/USA 07/11/2010 07:34 PM EST

I can't believe basic freedom of speech and truths are being suppressed by a university. I applaud the bravery and candor of Dr. Howell in presenting one of the tenets of the catholic faith. Unfortunately I find more and more that universities are suppressing both historical and moral truths. I am only glad I don't have to be a part of this atrocity.

Published by: okeefe
MA, boston 07/11/2010 07:23 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Good riddance.

Published by: Robert Woodall
Philadelphia Pa 07/11/2010 06:32 PM EST

While I am not against homosexuality in the least, I do feel that it is a bit ridiculous that a professor teaching a class on Catholicism be fired for teaching the Catholic Church's views. What was he supposed to say? That the Church condones homosexual acts? Wouldn't that be rewriting history? I consider myself a progressive, but even this is a little to "politically correct" for me...

Published by: Randy
Brooklyn, NY, USA 07/11/2010 04:42 PM EST

"Academic freedom" can only be used by the left to promote their political agenda. Any other uses of this argument are invalid.

Published by: aznativegrandma
Glendale,AZ USA 07/11/2010 04:03 PM EST

This is exactley what the Progressive (socialists) goal was in passing the Hate Crimes Legislation. Warning to Progressives: you may have won this battle, but you won't win the war, because you disagree with God, not man. First comes rebellion, then comes the chastisement! Are you all ready for this? I'll be praying for your souls....

Published by: aznativiegrandma
Glendale,AZ USA 07/11/2010 04:02 PM EST

Published by: jdcapshew
nyc 07/11/2010 01:11 PM EST

Chairman McKim did the right thing in dismissing Professor Howell for hate speech. His personal opinions should not be part of his lecture especially when it demonizes a minority.

Published by: Paweł Bany
Warsaw/Poland 07/11/2010 12:51 PM EST

Dr. Kenneth Howell is just another victim of sodomitic terrorism. God bless him! Next step will be intoducing a ban on reading the Bible.

Published by: Sharon
USA 07/11/2010 09:42 AM EST

So much for academic freedom, free speach, and "tolerance."

Published by: Edgar
Ga 07/11/2010 08:59 AM EST

This is homo-extremism and fear from public opinion from the university. From a pure academic stand point, regardless of what your beliefs are you cannot ban from presenting a position just because you feel offended by it. It is like banning to teach Marxism in a university because it calls capitalism evil. You cannot be so narrow minded to ban complete knowledge to the students. I feel really worried of the lack of firm-stance of this institution of many others giving up on the basic elements of freedom of thought and speech.

Published by: Lorraine Harding
UK 07/11/2010 05:04 AM EST

I think the decision to dismiss the professor was wrong. I am passionately opposed to the Catholic notion of 'natural law', but I remember once, at a seminar on sexuality, quizzing a Catholic about this very issue, not because I was going to agree with or support the position, but because I wanted to understand it. Academic discourse is about understanding - including those points of view with which we radically disagree.

Published by: M. Lyons
Perth, Western Australia 07/11/2010 02:34 AM EST

When a professor is asked a question he is morally obliged to give the right answer. Otherwise, he would be guilty of misinforming the students. This teacher gave a truthful answer to a question and has been punished. Two questions arise from this debacle. Firstly, does this university expect its teachers to lie. Secondly, is it a crime in the USA to hold religious views. Would this teacher, or anybody else, have been treated the same disgusting way if he had said that the US soldiers are waging an immoral war in Afghanistan?

Published by: amused
baltimore MD 07/11/2010 12:15 AM EST

Why not teach the truth about christianity lol.. fearfully insisting that everyone is going to burn.. BURN I tell ya. That is unless you follow OUR way which i the ONLY way. What a load of crap

Published by: Geraldine Nordsieck
United States 07/10/2010 11:14 PM EST

I think it is a disgrace that Msgr. Ketcham would not back up Prof. Howell, either by defending Professor Howelll, or by welcoming the addition of a class on teaching the truths of Catholicism. at the Newman Center. I'l like to hear from the Bishop of this diocese, and hope that he would weigh in to support Prof. Howell.

Published by: Marcia Kizior
Romeoville,Il 07/10/2010 11:09 PM EST

I think Robert McKim should be fired!

Published by: Donna
Palm Desert/CA/USA 07/10/2010 10:56 PM EST

As a college professor and a practicing Catholic, I often find that I struggle to keep my personal beliefs out of the classroom. In this case the university is wholly wrong. While I disagree with the Church about homosexuality, the correct place for this discussion would be in the course that Dr. Howell was teaching.

Published by: Evan
texas 07/10/2010 10:14 PM EST

This is ridiculous. If you're taking a class on Catholicism and expecting anything but criticism about gays you are an idiot. Religion sees it as an immoral act there's nothing around that but to complain anonymously and get a teacher fired because he taught you course curriculum is worse than the catholic stance. a professor can't teach open mindedness in a "introduction to Catholicism" class they're a close-minded sect. you can't teach something that doesn't exist

Published by: Joani
San Francisco 07/10/2010 09:50 PM EST

The man was teaching the truth about Catholic doctrine! How can a person be fired for that!? We now seem to be in an environment where there is no more tolerance of differing point of views if they involve the homosexual agenda. Pretty scary...

Published by: Paul Dirac
Earth, Milky Way Galaxy 07/10/2010 09:15 PM EST

That's pretty stupid. I attended a Catholic high school and was taught the same thing. I remember being vaguely irritated by the concept, but as an atheist and homosexual I merely accepted it as part of THEIR belief system and shrugged it off. Whoever cried about it should have taken his or her complaints to the Pope. Teacher was just doing his job.

Published by: Osirus
Washington DC, USA 07/10/2010 07:38 PM EST

Is it any wonder that degrees at American Universities are viewed as inferior throughout Europe. Its pretty dumb for an administration to ONLY teach what some student wants to hear. I am not a catholic, but whatever their views are, that is what they are. To not teach them means the students do not have an oportunity to learn about competing world views. Teaching only one view is just indoctrination, not education.

Published by: Justin
Gainesville, Fl, USA 07/10/2010 07:30 PM EST

This is the tip of the iceberg when compared to the persecutions that Catholic's will face in the coming decades. You mark my words.

Published by: OrochiTabris
East Windsor, NJ, US 07/10/2010 06:20 PM EST

My empathy and sympathy: he has neither. I try, really I do. I try to tolerate the hate, disguised as religious teachings, spewed forth by yours and other religions. I generally don't enjoy it when others lose their jobs. I know it sucks. I wish I could feel for him. It's just really, really hard to care when people are fired for something directly related to belief-inspired and -justified hate. After reading his email the chance of me feeling anything but delicious, delicious schadenfreude is nil. Doesn't your religion teach anything other than a hatred of gays? That's all I hear about. Even Howell says his chosen topic for most semesters was homosexuality, apparently it was just that important to him. There has to be more to your religion than gay-bashing. It seems to me, and this is going to sound bizarre, that if you, personally, as a Catholic, don't engage in homosexuality, you're fine according to the rules you've chosen to follow. What I do? That's my business, especially if my beliefs aren't in line with yours. Is there nothing in your teachings about peaceful coexistence? No "love thy neighbor" or something similar? It seems like either a lot of religions are designed to make certain segments of the population feel bad simply for existing, or a lot of people are interpreting them in ways that make it okay to do so. You don't know me. I'd appreciate if you stopped telling the world that I'm an abomination. Then we could get along. That'd be awesome.

Published by: Stanley C. Stevens Sr.
Closter, NJ 07624, USA 07/10/2010 05:46 PM EST

Every Catholic college or university who does not teach Catholicism from the Magisterium should bepublicly stripped of their Catholic designation. I think that Msgr. Gregory Ketcham should immediatly be removed as Director as St John's Catholic Newmans Center. Because one person complained about Catholic truth, the proffesor is fired. I see a drastic downfall of the Catholic church because of the massive penetration of homosexuality into the church. To partially correct the church's problem, I suggest that every homosexual preist should be discharged from being a priest. Once the church is completelycleansed of homosexuality, the church will reborn.

Published by: wayneman
detroit 07/10/2010 03:56 PM EST

"The courses at this institution should be geared to contribute to the public discourse and promote independent thought; not limit one's worldview and ostracize people of a certain sexual orientation." What if "independent thought" leads us to the conclusion that conclusion that homosexuality is immoral?

Published by: Todd
Columbus 07/10/2010 03:14 PM EST

I do not agree with the Catholic Church's stance on this issue. However, it is one of the tenants of the faith. If I was taking a class on Catholicism, I would expect the hear teachings on this point of view, as it is the teachings of the Church. I don't agree with it for many reasons, but it is one of the tenants of the faith. Hearing a Priest reiterate the tenant of the faith does not make it hate speech regardless of my, or anyone elses world view.

Published by: Michelle
U.S. 07/10/2010 02:49 PM EST

Typical. If he had been a homosexual who called heterosexuality abnormal, he would have gotten tenure.

Published by: Greg
Alpharetta, GA 07/10/2010 02:35 PM EST

I received my undergraduate degree from Charleston Southern University in Religion. During my 4 years there I attended many classes with a classmate that was a Muslim. He also received his degree in Religion. The entirity of our coursework focused on the protestant view of the Bible. After reading this article, I thank God my Muslim friend didn't protest the "hate speech" we all learned during the course of our education. Had he done so, I would have been deprived of the instruction of many fine professors like Professor Howell.

Published by: IlliniFan
Urbana 07/10/2010 02:15 PM EST

thanks for covering this!

Published by: rick
sanford, florida 07/10/2010 01:56 PM EST

Seems to me that the only offense created here was the offense of the complainer, though I'm sure there was some agenda at play on the complainers part. You would think that his boss would've seen that, but obviously in their zeal to offend no-one they kill the messenger. I hope he sues the crap out of them including the complainer and wins big.

Published by: Richard Miller
Perth Amboy, NJ, USA 07/10/2010 01:53 PM EST

It appears that Howell is being punished for doing his job. I hope that the court rules in his favor and, the university learns to be fair, open and non-judgemental. I admire Howell for doing his job and not hedging on it, nor watering it down to please others.

Published by: Reggie
Minneapolis, MN 07/10/2010 01:37 PM EST

I believe the University's EXTREME support of one student's objection to some indirect misinterpreted hearsay is a clear indication that some agenda other than quality of education must exist - and this agenda is being given priority. Academics of a certain political persuasion would have us believing that homosexual and heterosexual acts are somehow on an equal footing with nature. Clearly such is not the case! How tortured has our system of education become, when statements of fact regarding the contents of various teachings, within the context of a course on the very teaching in question, can be successfully characterized as "hate speech." I defy any student to illustrate how the Professor somehow taught that any homosexuals should be hated. These are two completely different things!! Maybe in a similar vein, we should all enroll in mathematics courses, and then complain whenever numbers are mentioned.

Published by: Paul
Dallas, TX 07/10/2010 01:36 PM EST

This problem comes up in the south in biology classes. Many students are highly offended by lectures on evolution, but taking offense at the core material of the subject shows the student's ignorance more than anything. Students have no expectation that course material will fit into their worldview. In fact, the point of a college education is to force people to confront different world views!

Published by: Snatch
USA 07/10/2010 01:35 PM EST

Thank God he was fired. Bigotry is for children of a lesser God.

Published by: OOzOo
Greensboro/NC/USA 07/10/2010 12:52 PM EST

So...a professor teaching a class on Catholicism teaches the class what Catholics believe...and that's hate speech? HUH?? So, if he taught a class on Hitler and explained the Nazi ideals, would that be hate speech?

Published by: Joe Coen
Kure Beach, NC/USA 07/10/2010 12:41 PM EST

THis is another example of limiting the freedom of speech in the USA,discrediting religion, discrediting the Catholic theology, allowing students to ruin a professors career, the rise of secular beliefs to the extent that they discredit religious thought and the gutlessness of those in charge of protecting academic freedom.

Published by: Dave Shea
Canton/Massachusetts/USA 07/10/2010 12:41 PM EST

Interesting that a university's dept of RELIGION isn't allowing religion to be taught. Clearly the prof was putting Catholic teaching IN CONTEXT when he said, “A homosexual orientation is not morally wrong just as no moral guilt can be assigned to any inclination that a person has. However, based on natural moral law, the Church believes that homosexual acts are contrary to human nature and therefore morally wrong.” If profs are going to be fired for teaching religion, perhaps the university is not ready to have a dept of religion in the first place. Catholic

Published by: James Gray
Chicago, Illinois, USA 07/10/2010 12:17 PM EST

He was fired because one student, who wasn't even there, complained? There has got to more to this story. No way a reasonable university fires someone off of that kind of hearsay. Also, I'm heterosexual and I completely disagree with Catholicism, but because this guy taught other moral codes as examples, it simply doesn't sound like proselytizing. If there's not more compelling evidence of this professor's guilt, then I would advise all of his delicate accusers to rush themselves into a First Amendment class. It's far better to expose monstrous ideas to the light of public scrutiny - and don't sink down to the level of the Catholic church by censoring even the very discussion of any ideas you don't agree with.

Published by: AC
LA, CA, USA 07/10/2010 12:09 PM EST

It's nice to see that universities are still a bastion of free speech, open to all, and showing equal respect for dissenting views. Unless, of course, you espouse views that are in conflict with those approved of by the deviant university homocracy.

Published by: Appalled at UI
Virginia 07/10/2010 11:37 AM EST

I am a University of Illinois alumnus and am extremely embarrassed that my alma mater would act in such a bone-headed manner. This is political correctness at its worst. Reinstate the professor!

Published by: Mary
Bixby OK USA 07/10/2010 11:23 AM EST

The class he taught was about the beliefs of the Catholic faith. The belief about homosexuality being wrong is smoething the Catholic church believes. If the student didn't want to learn and explore those beliefs then why did he/she take the class. It's crazy that this professor's livelihood has been impacted because one student dislikes what he and the Catholic church believe in. So we believe in free speech but only when it fits the realm of what certian individuals believe. This man isn't a hatemonger. Unbelievable!

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass. USA 07/10/2010 07:59 AM EST

Homosexuality is a "Religion"now as it is organized and with a unified and funded component to it,particularly in regard to political funding and lobbying. Opposed viewpoints to the Gay Agenda are all proclaimed "Hate Crime"? Opposing viewpoints wether they are Catholic ones or otherwise IS NOT HATE CRIME!!!!!!!!!! Classroom instruction is to be sympathetic to every human viewpoint as they are all varied and educational. No one is forcing anyone to believe one way or the other. A choice of belief requires a reason as to why one holds certain beliefs. A professor is there to teach all to tolerate each other and to present all reasonable viewpoints with their own individual perspectives. All people must learn to reason with one another and if offense is taken then they can debate.

Published by: Jon
Cincinnati 07/10/2010 06:40 AM EST

Note the Teaching from The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved. The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.Homosexual persons are called to chastity.

Published by: Michael Huffman
Mason, Ohio 07/10/2010 06:33 AM EST

Stay the course, the professor is consistant with church and biblical teaching.

Published by: Michael
Cincinnati/Ohio/US 07/10/2010 06:20 AM EST

God Bless you Dr. Howell for standing and being persecuted in the name of the Church.

Published by: Voytek
Urbana, IL 07/10/2010 02:53 AM EST

Wow, that is so sad. Dr. Howell is an amazing person. He went from being a Presbyterian minister, to an expert in Catholic teachings and theology. The head of the department should be removed. By firing Dr. Howell he is promoting a biased curriculum, and thus failing to uphold the responsibilities of his position.

Published by: Bill Parks
Pennsylvania 07/10/2010 01:45 AM EST

The purge is underway with the firing of this very fine university professor. This unfortunate occurrence is due in part to a new type of hysteria over homophobia caused by President Obama and his Democratic Party politics which advocates the acceptance of homosexuality. A recent survey found close to 90% of some university departments are liberal Democrats and many professors are in favor of the homosexual movement in the US. Obviously, the University of Illinois is merely following our current regime's policies and will fire anyone who expresses their honest religious beliefs which oppose left-wing Democratic Party principles in support of the practice of homosexuals. The ten commandments from God are being considered a form of hate speech. This whole movement appears to be a rebellion against God and His commandments under the leadership of an Angel of Light and Liberation. Christians know who that Angel of Light and Liberation is by name -- none other than Lucifer!

Published by: Clinton
California 07/10/2010 01:37 AM EST

Bravo to Professor Howell for staying true to Catholic teachings. Homosexuals would rather cling to their sin rather than hear the Truth. I wonder if Howell would have been fired if he was teaching Islam? Why is no one complaining about Muslims trying to force Sharia law on us?

Published by: Catherine
Birmingham, AL 07/10/2010 12:03 AM EST

The left can dish it out but they can't take it. So much for independent thought.

Published by: Anne T
Sudbury, MA 07/09/2010 11:36 PM EST

Monsignor Ketcham is bound to defend the faith by the promises made at his Confirmation and especially his Ordination. His obviously political response to Dr. Howell's situation is disgraceful. If the Magesterium of the Church did a better job articulating the moral teachings of Jesus Christ, Dr. Howell and others caught in the dark web of liberal progressivism would be respected, not cast aside as religious bigots. It is any wonder why vocations are so low and why so many leave the Institutional Church?

Published by: Sam
Detroit/MI/USA 07/09/2010 10:40 PM EST

The situation is absurd. You have a professor teaching about the tenents of Catholicism in a class that adresses Catholicism as a subject of study. He states The Church's position on the subject of homosexuality as required as part of study on the religious tradition as a whole, and the university fires him for doing his job? That doesn't make sense! He himself wasn't moralizing. He said, "I have always made it very, very clear to my students they are never required to believe what I'm teaching and they'll never be judged on that." He stated the beliefs of another entity.

Published by: Sarah
Toronto, Canada 07/09/2010 10:30 PM EST

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ that Dr. Howell had the guts to stand up and support the teachings of Christ as taught through the Holy Roman Catholic church, even at the cost of his job. But as for Msgr. Gregory Ketcham, he is gutless for refusing to support Dr. Howell. And it makes me wonder just what kind of Catholic Msgr. Ketcham is? Perhaps HE needs our prayers even mre than Dr. Howell does...I shall pray that God softens his heart and teaches him his duty to God and to his fellow Catholics!

Published by: Ed
Little Rock, AR 07/09/2010 09:36 PM EST

Is it not blatantly obvious that the student's comments as quoted are self-contradictory? Surely the chair of the department would notice that. I have to wonder whether he was looking for an excuse.

Published by: Mark McKay
Nassau County, Florida 07/09/2010 09:35 PM EST

The whole episode it seems for the U of I is to stifful truthfulness of religious facts. Sadly, Dr. Howell is being stripped of his teaching position. Hasn't an art professor allowing a student to display a crucifix in urine been praised for artistic expression. Clearly, Natural Law is a teaching that has exsisted for centuries--So they are going to beat Professor Howell over the head with it. The remedy must include expantion of Catholic Classes at U of I, and training courses on preventing religious discrimination for administrators and students.

Published by: Everett
Jensen Beach, FL 07/09/2010 09:21 PM EST

Unbelievable! This is socialism if I ever saw it. The class is called, "Introduction to Catholicism" for crying out loud. What did the students expect to learn?! The University of Illinois Newman Center is outstanding and just lost a great professor due to the intolerance of relativism that is stuffed down our throats by these academic hypocrites. And the reason given for censoring free expression of thought is that exploring Catholic teaching on homosexuality would stifle free thought. Hypocrites...

Published by: Jnelson
Manchester, MI USA 07/09/2010 09:21 PM EST

How sad that at a public institution of higher learning a professor is fired for teaching the breadth of his subject matter. Dr. Howell was teaching content area based on the teachings of the Catholic Church in a course on Catholicism!! How is this any different from a professor in the Business or Finance Departments teaching theory based on someone's findings or best practice? It seems that our open minds become suddenly and sadly closed when a belief system in challenged; whatever happened to higher level thinking in our public institutions of higher learning?

Published by: Phid
MN 07/09/2010 08:15 PM EST

Simply amazing what liberals do nowadays. They claim they're for "free speech" yet they censor. They claim they're for academic freedom but use their iron fist to silence professors who say things that don't mesh with the liberal world-view. I sincerely hope that the University of Illinois loses this legal battle and learns its lesson.

Published by: Geremia
United States 07/09/2010 07:28 PM EST

God bless this professor! Hopefully the ADF will be able to help him out.

Published by: ALICIA NGUYEN
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 07/09/2010 06:55 PM EST

"Hate Speech" for speaking the truth? This is shocking. In this instant and under such circumstance I must wish Dr. Kenneth Howell all the best in his lawsuit. If I qualified, I would offer Dr. Howell free legal service.

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