It's being framed as a "free speech" issue, but the fact is that free speech rights aren't involved when a student fails to complete a class assignment properly and instead spouts their personal interpretation of religious dogma. Or that was the case formerly. In MAGA America, Christianity is the sword and shield of bigots and assorted arseholes, academic rigor be damned.
"Student's Bible-Based Essay Grade Leads University to Put Instructor on Leave" |
New Civil Rights Movement (https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2025/12/students-bible-based-essay-grade-leads-university-to-put-instructor-on-leave/)
QuoteThe University of Oklahoma has placed a graduate student instructor on leave after they gave a student a failing grade for a gender-roles essay that appeared to be based on an interpretation of Christian Bible theology.
The student "publicly contested" the grade and "filed an illegal discrimination claim," according to OU Daily, the university's student-run news outlet.
She "says the failing grade she received on an essay where she cited the Bible was a violation of her right to free speech," The Oklahoman reported. The news outlet also published the essay, which read in part:
"God made male and female and made us differently from each other on purpose and for a purpose. God is very intentional with what He makes, and I believe trying to change that would only do more harm. Gender roles and tendencies should not be considered 'stereotypes'."
The University of Oklahoma has placed a graduate student instructor on leave after they gave a student a failing grade for a gender-roles essay that appeared to be based on an interpretation of Christian Bible theology.
The student "publicly contested" the grade and "filed an illegal discrimination claim," according to OU Daily, the university's student-run news outlet.
She "says the failing grade she received on an essay where she cited the Bible was a violation of her right to free speech," The Oklahoman reported. The news outlet also published the essay, which read in part:
"God made male and female and made us differently from each other on purpose and for a purpose. God is very intentional with what He makes, and I believe trying to change that would only do more harm. Gender roles and tendencies should not be considered 'stereotypes'."
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The student also wrote that "Women naturally want to do womanly things because God created us with those womanly desires in our hearts. The same goes for men. God created men in the image of His courage and strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty. He intentionally created women differently than men and we should live our lives with that in mind."
In notes to the student, also published by The Oklahoman, the instructor wrote:
"Please note that l am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs, but instead l am deducting point[s] for you posting a reaction paper that does not answer the questions for this assignment, contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive."
"Additionally, to call an entire group of people 'demonic' is highly offensive, especially a minoritized population," the instructor added.
[Continues . . . (https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2025/12/students-bible-based-essay-grade-leads-university-to-put-instructor-on-leave/)]
Oklahoma is one of the more religious parts of the U.S. That the student used biblical claptrap on her essay paper is not in the least surprising. That the university took issue with the grade issued by the instructor, is also not surprising.
Had the student described the roles of men and women by authority of the Koran, she'd have been in deep trouble, not the instructor.
When I was in college, lo those many years ago, part of the required studies included world religions and how the specific religion influenced the society that adhered to that religion. The course title was "The Humanities". I still have a dog eared book from that required course, titled; Three Ways Of Thought In Ancient China.
I was in engineering school at the University of Florida. My university was, at that time, dead set on arming the students with an education as opposed to mere training. I fear that those days may be gone forever.......especially in Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Virginia and several other states where Jesus of the bible rules.
Well said Icarus. I sympathize with your pessimism regarding respect for the life of the mind (lack thereof) we see in too many people in America. Also I agree with your noting of certain states as prominent endorsers of institutionalized ignorance. On the other hand, anti-intellectualism has been an American trait since forever. As you know, that doesn't mean America lacks for talent and intellect. If a place rejects folks like that, many of them will find homes elsewhere.
Regarding the poor oppressed Christian in the OP, I think she was poorly advised. Rather than free speech she should have cited religious freedom as her guiding principle. The Christian zealots sitting on the bench of the US Supreme court cannot get enough of that.
having spent years and years in oklahoma, this is how the place works.
lots of piety but lots of southern baptists violating the instructions of the christ, too.
most recently at my aunts church a deacon and an assistant choir director were caught banging in the choir loft. typical stuff