Posted on 11/01/2005 4:21:43 PM PST by 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.
Apparently, the Holy Spirit left the administrators of this school some time back.
Miner seems to be saying his use of the term 'sub-human' was symbolic as well.
>> It's news to them, too.
LOL. The Post-Gazette is full of mushy-headed tripe from alleged Catholics who maintain that because Jesus said nothing about homosexuality (I really don't know) that Duquesne (as a Catholic school) should embrace the Gay-Straight Alliance.
Of course, the number of straights will be very low, but what are stats among zealots?
You commented:
***I just posted Duquesne's response. The essay was on Catholic teaching about homosexuality, not "good and bad points".
I haven't been able to find that. Could you post a link or direct quote? My understanding was that he was required to write an essay showing "both sides". If that is not the case, many on the thread would like to know. Where did you post Dusquesne's response?
The "straight" part is to recruit new members for the "gay" part. Often they use the word "questioning".
What he said may or may not be wrong, but since when do we punish people for saying the wrong thing (by "we" I mean rational people). This guy is entitled to his opinion, whether it is wrong or not, and what use is there having an opinion if you have to button your lip about it.
As for the reference to Hitler saying things like "subhuman" that is a red herring, unless and until this guy proposes killing homosexuals, which I don't believe anyone has claimed he did.
(Tax-chick, this isn't leveled at you, I just decided to post after reading your post.)
Actually, its Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost. Its my alma mater.
you->That could be cnsidered putting words in Jesus' mouth wouldnt you say?
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Looks like the bible says Jesus said that. Except he used serpenst instead of snakes. The words he chose were symbolic
He called them less than human (a snake). How is that symbolic? How do you know Mr. Miner wasn't speaking 'symbolicly' also? You don't. According to all the commentaries I could find (7 or 8) Jesus was telling the people that the pharisees were more like snakes than like men. They were evil, poisoness, brutal, vicious etc. I don't see anything symbolic about it.
last I heard, Catholic teaching on homosexuality is "no."
While persecuting this guy for his comments is wrong, this guy should have taken this opportunity to use St. Thomas model to prove unequivacably the sin of homosexuality. Thomas always listed the other side of the argument first, and then blew their arguments to bits one by one.
Sanctions
The sanctions for the code violations included taking the offensive material off the site and writing an essay regarding the Catholic Churchs official teaching related to the dignity and respect to be shown for all human beings.
See, here is what homosexual men do: they put their private parts into each others' fecal matter.
How is that NOT sub-human?
Is this a direct quote?
So the proposed essay was not about homosexuality at all?
I agree with your points, NCLaw441.
I am concerned about his precise wording as a Catholic, because he is saying that his opinions are based on his faith.
Whatever... You can call them whatever you want.
Jesus wouldnt call a homosexual a sub-human.
Of course it's regarded as revisionism by "mainstream" historians. Basically all of academia is the playground of liberals and gay elites so anything that is accorded the stamp of approval by university connected historians is suspect.
Can you cite sources for your figures?
That is a direct quote: http://www.newsroom.duq.edu/r20051028.html
Thanks.
Here's another quote from the University website you linked to:
"Article IV, University Standards C-6
Harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans status."
And about the proposed "Gay Straight Alliance" Club:
"Background on the proposed Gay Straight Alliance:
In September, President Charles Dougherty, Provost Ralph Pearson, and Executive Director of Mission and Identity Fr. Tim Hickey received a proposal for the creation of a Gay Straight Alliance on Duquesnes campus. Due to the clear implication on the Universitys Catholic identity and mission, President Dougherty convened a special committee to examine the issue. Fr. Tim Hickey is leading the committee of students, faculty, staff and administrators, which is examining the issue in light of our Catholic identity and mission. This is a complex, sensitive issue that must be considered carefully."
Contact Information: 412-396-6050.
So the University has the standard discrimination policy including sexual orientation. Therefore, any words criticizing homosexual behavior can be stifled and punished by TPTB. It will be interesting to see if they allow the GSA club.
It boils down to this - homosexuals make the rules, and anyone who disses them will be severely punished. End of story. Unless, of course, the University adheres to Catholic teaching.
Oh, one additional paragraph caught my eye:
"This particular case was the result not of opposing the proposed Gay Straight Alliance or opposing homosexuality, but rather the use of the term subhuman and inflammatory language in a Facebook entry. Had the language used not been undermining to human dignity, the issue most likely would not have been brought to the attention of Judicial Affairs."
So criticizing the behavior of homosexuals affronts human dignity. But the Gay Straight Alliance Club which, if allowed, will advocate same sex acts, may not affront human dignity? They have to hash that one out?
I don't disagree with your analysis, but I will be surprised if they approve a gay straight alliance club.
The Pope is trying to eliminate gay influence in the church.
Duquesne is really a great school. The administration is religious and tries to conform to Catholic doctrine without discriminating.
Ask yourself this question: How many colleges don't already have gay organizations on campus?
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