Professor Ken Howell teaches (or rather, taught) a class on Catholicism at the University of Illinois. In that class, evidently the topic of homosexuality came up and Prof Howell said he agree with the Church’s teaching. A student (who remains anonymous) had a friend file a complaint for him and continues to remain anonymous, and Prof. Howell was fired. 
According to the rules of Academic Freedom, scholars have the freedom to teach or communicate ideas or facts related to their class without fear of losing their job or being arrested. However, they must avoid controversial matter that is unrelated to the subject.
So why was Professor Howell fired?
Here’s the email of Dr. Howell’s that prompted the student complaint. Here’s the complaint itself…written by a ‘friend’ of the student, not even the student himself.
Here is Dr. Howell’s reply.
I understand the Alliance Defense Fund has taken Dr. Howell’s case.
1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure states that, “Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject.”
Hmm….hate crime? Well, the US Supreme Court has also consistently upheld that academic freedom is a First Amendment right.
Want to do something? We can contact the University of Illinois’ Public Affairs Office at publicaffairs@illinois.edu to complain.
Story here and here and below. PRAYERS FOR PROFESSOR HOWELL!!!!
The University of Illinois has fired an adjunct professor who taught courses on Catholicism after a student accused the instructor of engaging in hate speech by saying he agrees with the church’s teaching that homosexual sex is immoral.
The professor, Ken Howell of Champaign, has taught at the university for nine years. He says his firing violates his academic freedom.
A professor at the university who is also president of the American Association of University Professors agrees. Cary Nelson says teachers are allowed to express their own beliefs.
University spokeswoman Robin Kaler declined comment because Howell’s firing is a personnel issue.
The student had a friend register his complaint and has remained anonymous.
——
Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com
Other also read:
Taking a moral stance, especially in a calm, rational manner is neither hate nor prejudice. What’s next, book burnings or a Gulag? Also hit and run is the work of a coward! Anyone has the right to face accusers as has been recognized as long ago as ancient Rome.
If they truly felt that it was inappropriate for him to share his personal views, why not reprimand him rather than fire him? It will be very interesting to see how the end of this story comes out. I’m afraid we’re only going to be seeing more and more stories like this in the future. Universities are becoming more and more notorious for ensuring thought police see to it that everyone on their faculty tow the liberal party line.
My husband, who is pursuing a career as an art historian, is trying his best to scrub the internet clear of all indications of his political and religious beliefs until he actually lands a professorship. This inclination was confirmed by a fellow Catholic on the staff at the university where he is completing his degree who strongly admonished him NOT to let anyone know he’s politically conservative because he will automatically be blackballed.
[...] Hate Speech? U. of IL Professor FIRED Over Catholic Beliefs [...]
That is the teaching of the Catholic Churh, Dr. Howell from what I understand articulated the teaching per the Catholic Church’s teaching, I am in agreement with the
Church’s Teaching and I will help Dr. Howell thru the Alliance Defense Fund to the extent that I can. Also, University of Illinois, do not bother sending me any Fund
Raisers.
Miguel Garcia