Duquesne Sophomore Challenges 'Sexual Orientation' Harassment Charge

Agape Press ^ | 11/1/05 | Jim Brown

[wagglebee]

A student at a Catholic university in Pittsburgh is protesting the school's decision to punish him for opposing the formation of a homosexual student group on campus.

Duquesne University recently charged sophomore Ryan Miner with discrimination based on sexual orientation. Miner says he was punished for comments he made on a private website called Facebook.com after creating a group called "Against the Gay-Straight Alliance." Miner explains what happened.

"I had written a blog, and I used not the most prudent of words but words that I felt coincided within my faith in the Catholic Church," the student shares. "I said, 'Why do we have to tolerate the sub-human actions of people like this on campus?'"

Following his comments online, a judicial affairs panel at Duquesne found Miner guilty of "sexual orientation" harassment. As part of his punishment, he was ordered to take down his blog and write a ten-page expository essay on the pros and cons of homosexuality. Miner, who is appealing the action, believes the school is employing a double standard and can no longer claim to be a traditional or conventional Catholic institution.

"I think the essay is profoundly a bad idea because it argues on the viewpoints both for and against homosexuality," he says, "and the last time I checked I don't recall [seeing] any viewpoints especially for homosexuality regarding my faith in the Catholic Church and a God."

Miner notes he has been contacted by several conservative legal groups, but has yet to receive a call from the American Civil Liberties Union.

[wagglebee]

As part of his punishment, he was ordered to take down his blog and write a ten-page expository essay on the pros and cons of homosexuality.

I would be happy to help with his "essay":

Pros: If you enjoy deviant, sinful behavior, then this is a lifestyle sure to lead to a miserable life.

Cons: Ten pages isn't nearly enough!

[wagglebee]

Homosexual agenda/Catholic college ping.

[andyk]

Just how does one pronounce "Duquesne"?

[wagglebee]

Just like it's spelled. :)

[Giant Conservative]

There are no pros to contra-health conduct. This student's free speech was un-Constitutionally subverted to politically coercive ideological indoctrination. He needs to fight this.

[eastsider]

Doo-cain

[andyk]

Grrr :)

[andyk]

Thanks!

[Cricket24]

Heck I didn't even know Duquesne was a catholic college!

[Right Wing Assault]

Heck I didn't even know Duquesne was a catholic college!

It's news to them, too.

[Tax-chick]

'Why do we have to tolerate the sub-human actions of people like this on campus?'"

That's interesting. Earlier articles on this situation claimed that he had said homosexuals were sub-human. If this quote is accurate, he has clear identified the behavior, rather than the person, as sub-human.

From the point of view of gay activists, it's still "homophobic," but from the standpoint of Christianity, there is a difference.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

a judicial affairs panel at Duquesne found Miner guilty of "sexual orientation" harassment.

The Duquesne judicial affairs panel is guilty of intolerance, ping.

[wagglebee]

I agree. I've known homosexuals, and many of them are very nice and I have no problem being friendly with them. However, that does not mean that I condone their behavior.

[exDemocratbutnotRepubican]

I have been to the Duquesne Campus twice today. Mr. Miner is wrong and Duquesne is wrong. Mr. Miner has the right to say whatever he wants off campus, but what he said was abhorrent. He said that homosexuals were "subhuman". He later qualified his words to say that he was taken out of context and that he meant the acts, not the people were subhuman.

For those of you with historical knowledge, you will recognize the word subhuman as the English translation of untermensch, Hitler's word for homosexuals (and others). Hitler used the classification as "subhuman" to exterminate homosexuals.

Mr. Miner's biggest offense is that he claims his religion teaches that homosexuality is somehow subhuman. It may be a sin, but sin is all too human. His religion teaches that he should love not only his neighbor, but even his enemies. He would have been much better off joining the gay straight alliance and helping the gay members to understand that Jesus loves them and God forgives those who repent.

A ten page essay is a small price to pay.

[exDemocratbutnotRepubican]

"Heck I didn't even know Duquesne was a catholic college!"

The actual name of the school is Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit

[Tax-chick]

On the other hand, if post #14 is correct, then the student did say homosexuals are subhuman, and that's not consistent with Christianity.

[jdsteel]

The correct pronounciation is "doo-KANE". When we 'burghers fool around it's "doo-kwezny". It's a "'burgh thing.

[wagglebee]

Everything, I've read indicates that he was talking about the actions of homosexuals and homosexuality. I have not seen a direct quote where he refers to homosexuals as being subhuman. There is, as you said, a huge difference.

http://kdka.com/local/local_story_300132528.html
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid22087.asp
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=123131&format=html

There are editorials that claim he described homosexuals as subhuman, but they do not give any direct quotes.

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=24973&pid=1358

[Sonny M]

For those of you with historical knowledge, you will recognize the word subhuman as the English translation of untermensch, Hitler's word for homosexuals (and others). Hitler used the classification as "subhuman" to exterminate homosexuals.

I use the word "sub-human" to describe rapists and pedophiles.

Oh no, I must be a nazi.

He should write a 10 page paper on how freedom of speech is being outlawed today.

[CatholicLady]

Dew Cane