I Will Stand with Prof. John McAdams

I hate bullies!” shouted Andrew Breitbart.

You know what? So do I.

I really hate it went the federal government thinks that they can bull-doze over our rights in the name of “equality” or “tolerance”.

The latest Big Government, Big Tyranny Agenda? Big Abortion, the Big Gay/Transgender Hate Machine, and every other perverse “pro-tolerance” group which is really militant cultural Marxism detonating everything we hold dear in pro-liberty, pro-individual Western Civilization.

This fight is real, people, and the threats imposed on us cannot be ignored.

The bakery in Oregon, the florist and photographer in New Mexico: all are facing militant leftists who shout: “Bake that Cake!” and “Take my picture, or I will take you to jail!”

Notice what happened when Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis refused to hand out marriage licenses to gay couples last year? She was forced into a jail cell because she simply exemplified more respect for the United States Constitution than the five unelected judges. No, the Supreme Court has neither right nor authority to redefine an institution in place longer than you or I have been alive, or even the very concept of state or government.

And yet, Christians, men and women who recognize marriage as between one man and one woman (including individuals who practice homosexual behaviors!) are getting bullied, condemned, or incarcerated because of their beliefs.

Or lose their jobs.

Dr. Paul Church of Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center was terminated for telling the truth about the consequences of same-sex conduct. He’s a doctor! He took an oath to “First, do no harm.” For that, he has endured nothing but harm to his professional status and livelihood.

Another academic is facing the homo-fascist purge:

John McAdams of Marquette University.

He doesn’t deserve to lose his job.

He gets a B+ on Rate My Professor. Respondents recognize that he does not teach Mickey Mouse classes. Comments include outstanding remarks like:

“John McAdams is THE MAN. Have had him for three classes …”

And:

“He is the best teacher I have ever had.”

And also:

“One of the best professors I've had.”

So, why would this private, Jesuit college suspend him, then line him up for termination?

Because he defended a student’s freedom of speech. He honored the core values of a university, to foster dialogue, conflict, and revelation of ideas.

Specifically, about two years ago, an instructor in a Philosophy of Ethics course—Cheryl Abbate—wanted to apply Classical principles to discussion of modern issues. When it came to “gay rights”, the professor deemed any discussion of these issues as moot, non-existent, even offensive.

Huh?

One student, a conservative who believes in natural marriage, addressed a major concern with the instructor after class.

McAdams reported on his blog:

“Indeed, he [the student] told Abbate that if she dismisses an entire argument because of her personal views, that sets a terrible precedent for the class.”

Instead of aiding and abetting rigorous debate, thinking—and *gasp* learning—in her classroom, she was abating the whole purpose of a university. Plus, it’s pathetic and counterproductive to deem any subject out of bounds for discussion. You are automatically inviting a fight!

Instead of rethinking her own bigotry, the professor flat out rejected her concerns, and even told her to do the unthinkable (or unthinking?):

“She [Abbate] went on “In this class, homophobic comments, racist comments, will not be tolerated.” She then invited the student to drop the class.

“Which the student is doing.”

He should not have to.

Prof. John McAdams certainly did not think so. He then blasted this imposed group-think which shuts down dissent:

“Abbate, of course, was just using a tactic typical among liberals now. Opinions with which they disagree are not merely wrong, and are not to be argued against on their merits, but are deemed “offensive” and need to be shut up.”

If agitators on the Left know that they are right, whey do the rush to silence those who disagree? They know that they are wrong, and must rely on suppression and oppression to have any influence.

In other words: tyranny, totalitarianism.

Now, the university is taking steps to silence him, by having him fired.

Even left-wing Slate indirectly criticized this maneuvering:

“Controversy over online comments about a classroom discussion of gay marriage threatens to end a career, and raises questions about what tenure really protects.”

Tenure is supposed to protect freedom of speech, and the freedom for professors to research, publish, then discuss new revelations, however impolitic or controversial. Isn’t that what learning is all about?

Whether McAdams (or anyone else) supports gay marriage or not, the freedom to discuss these fundamental issues cannot be quashed. Whether the graduate instructor Cheryl Abbate has an open mind or not about it, she had no right to discourage discussion on the matter. It is shameful that today, in one of the freest societies in the world, universities openly toy with unsettling soft-core fascism.

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro faced an ungodly mob a month ago when he wanted to speak at Cal State University, Los Angeles! At Yale University, the students rose up against a professor who objected to an outright ban on Halloween costumes on campus.

However, there is already good news coming out of Marquette’s two-year anti-liberty putsch.

McAdams is not backing down.

Last year, he boldly declared: “We will indeed fight this. We have excellent legal counsel, and most certainly will not go quietly.”

The college administration told McAdams to apologize for his remarks, then he can be restored to his position.

Last week, he doubled down in an interview, that he would apologize “When hell freezes over.”

He is actively fighting this suspension, too!

We need more professionals like McAdams in every one of our major institutions. It’s time for more people to stand by our freedoms--and freedom fighters—in all walks of life.

Freedom to think, to speak, to persuade, and to differ.

Today, I will stand with Professor John McAdams.

I implore you to do the same.