I read about this story last week and was waiting to see what “official” position the university took.   A College professor, Dr. Deandre Poole told students to write the name  “Jesus” on a piece of paper and throw it on the ground to stomp on it.

Not surprisingly one student took exception, refused, complained and was then suspended.

The school initially said this:

[…]  Dr. Poole was conducting a classroom exercise from a textbook entitled “Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach, 5th Edition” and released this statement to CBS12: ”Faculty and students at academic institutions pursue knowledge and engage in open discourse. While at times the topics discussed may be sensitive, a university environment is a venue for such dialogue and debate.”  (link)

Apparently the University has changed directions since their initial defense of the exercise.  Today the reports are they have decided to apologize:

Florida Atlantic University has issued an apology for a classroom assignment that involving students writing the name “Jesus” on a sheet of paper and then stomping on the paper. The university also said the lesson will never again be used.

“We sincerely apologize for any offense this has caused,” the university said in a prepared statement. “Florida Atlantic University respects all religions and welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds and beliefs.”

The university initially defended the Christ-bashing lesson which is included textbook titled, “Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach, 5th Edition.”  (read more)

I’m left to wonder if Dr. Poole, or the university President, would be so willing to defend drawing a picture of Mohammed on paper and doing likewise?

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