Does Brigham Young University pose a threat to academic freedom?

Boston Globe ^ | 10/27/02 | Scott Abbot

[madprof98]

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, founded in 1875, stands on a foothill overlooking Utah Valley, overshadowed by the sharp peaks of the Wasatch Range. It has approximately 30,000 students, ample funding, and a keen desire to ''stand as a beacon to the world.'' The university's mission statement declares: ''The intellectual range of a BYU education is the result of an ambitious commitment to pursue truth. Members of the BYU community rigorously study academic subjects in the light of divine truth.'' In many remarkable ways, the faculty and students of BYU live up to this ideal. The devil, however - and Mormons believe in him - lies in the details. What is truth? Does its pursuit allow diverse opinions on subjects of widespread concern?

[madprof98]

I wish there were a Catholic university that would stand up for the ethical principles of the Catholic Church.

[Tony Niar Brain]

In such a major college state like MA, this type of exposure will come back to haunt Romney. Being a resident, I can tell you that wearing your religion on your sleeve is not well tolerated among politicians.

[DakotaGator]

So...Professor Abbot's complaint is that BYU actually enforces it's principles as BYU sees fit.

Looks to me like BYU has integrity and Professor Abbot has a personal problem.

[d101302]

So BYU is one of the last holdouts? Leftists would like to hold sway over that great institution as well, it seems.

does not extend full academic freedom to faculty who disagree with church teachings

Since one is forced to hide any agreement with church teachings in most major academic institutions, one would hope that at least a single faculty would be willing to accept these scholars.

[FreeReign]

Does Brigham Young University pose a threat to academic freedom?

BYU is academic freedom -- a private University should teach what it wants.

[Leto]

Nonsense, the Kennedy's have used the Catholic Church as a stage prop for decades (maybe not as much lately given the pedophile scandals). But I'm sure that a fundalmentalist Christan or Mormom wouldn't 'get away' with it.

[Malesherbes]

There is so much to dislike about this article, but I'll only mention one thing: "...to fill the need for a feminist scholar..." What is this supposed to mean: (1) a scholar who is a feminist, or (2) a scholar whose field is feminism?

If the latter, why was the University surprised when she "politicized" the classroom? That's exactly what you'd expect. Academic feminism is a sham and nothing more than a political expression.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[niteowl77]

And it's hardly just church teachings that these academic mullahs won't tolerate. What a hypocrite is Sheikh Al-Abbot!

[glorgau]

Cult alert!

However, its their money, they can do what they please with it.

[Illbay]

If BYU had the power to dictate "academic freedom" to all other universities and institutions, that'd be one thing. But it is a private institution that has the right to determine its own standards. And it has no power to force those standards on anyone else.

That said, I might turn the question around: "Does the Leftist academic orthodoxy pose a threat to the freedom of educational institutions? Isn't it true that they would like to see it become a 'thought crime' to prefer heterodoxy to their own Marxist orthodoxy, and force institutions such as BYU in line?"

One thing the Left has learned over the years: You can use the notion of "freedom" to make sure your philosophical opponents have none.

[BLASTER 14]

I'm not a Mormon, but I agree with much of what was said in the foregoing, especially their prolife stand, but two thoughts come to mind:

1. It's a Mormon school and the Mormons can make their own rules. Instructors should make themselves well aware of what the rules are before they sign on.

2. This is an outstanding example of religious fundamentalism, and its effect on those who don't knuckle under, whether Mormon, hardshell Baptist, Missouri Synod Lutheran, Catholic Church, or pick your poison.

Flamers, I don't consider religion poison, just the pressure of so many of the "religious" people who think that, "Anyone who doesn't think like I do is bad, evil and going to hell".

[Wrigley]

It seems what the author is attempting to do is show hypocrisy the administration of BYU. Taking the donation from a well known Mormon politician while terminating a faculty member for holding similiar positions as Romney.

Its a private school, they can do as they wish. But it does look to me from this article that there is some double dealing invovled.

And I'm sure the University has another view of this.

[Jim Noble]

>>Does Brigham Young University pose a threat to academic freedom?<<

Is BYU in charge of all the other colleges and universities?

Do they dictate national policy, and do they have the power to enforce it?

[joesnuffy]

Mormonism is a cult...who cares if they kick out liberals...and why would a liberal want to teach there?...you want to take their money and then tell them what you will teach?...lol
Go teach in a public junior college they love this sh#t...

[Illbay]

"Anyone who doesn't think like I do is bad, evil and going to hell".

Fine. In the interest of "academic freedom", then, I suggest that the board of FR be "forced" to accept a member who is a far-Left activist, and who will immediately begin demanding that Leftist activism be accepted and promoted on FR from now on.

There, that's "fair", right?

[MarkL]

Let me see if I get this straight... If an employee of a religious institution speaks out against the express views of that institution, then they shouldn't have to worry about their jobs?

The difference between Romney and this teacher is simple. Romney is both a graduate of the university and a contributer. The teacher is an employee. There is no reason that Romney should have to be restrained by BYU's policies. If BYU objects to his views, then they don't have to accept the funds. On the other hand, if the teacher doesn't want to follow the precepts of BYU, then she's free to teach at another school.

I find it interesting that one college in the country that doesn't aprove of abortion is a "threat to academic freedom," but when 99.4% of colleges in the US force liberal views down the throats of students, and squelch the views of conservative professors, groups, and students, well, it's just for academic freedom and inclusion...

Mark

[Torie]

Acknowledging that BYU has the right to do what it wants, and that the gift connection is frivolous, do you have any comment on the internal doings of BYU on disciplining academics for expressing their views, or criticising the Church were it might stray, as in the sexual abuse matter?

[Snuffington]

The liberal view of the world in a nutshell: we're only free when we're all the same. Under this view Brigham Young MUST not be free, because it is not exactly like the monolithically leftist dominated universities throughout the country.

[BLASTER 14]

Ref your #16. You didn't read what I said.

Of course it isn't "fair".

Those young ladies (it appears that they are all female) should have made themselves aware of what the rules were before they agreed to instruct at BYU. Then they would have known that they would be working under "unfair" rules. When you sign on for military service the rules include not being able to run to Mommy when the mean old Drill Sergeant says something to make you feel bad.

Seems to me that these sweet young things think that they should be given special consideration because they are female, or something. (As Dennis Whathisname says, "I could be wrong".)