107 Pebble Creek
Willard, MO 65781
(417) 742-2450
frankkauffman@missouristate.edu 
Posted on 11/20/2006 11:19:51 AM PST by Sopater
(CNSNews.com) - A Christian social work student who took Missouri State University to court after a liberal professor targeted her for refusing to lobby for homosexual adoption said Thursday she and the teacher had clashed over her beliefs from day one.
Emily Brooker was vindicated when the university agreed to an out-of-court settlement, and the professor was disciplined.
In her suit, Brooker, who has since graduated, accused the university of violating her First Amendment right to free speech by exercising her Christian convictions.
Brooker brought the case after the professor, Dr. Frank G. Kauffman, filed a "level three" grievance against her - the most serious in the school's disciplinary system - after they clashed over an advocacy assignment.
She told Cybercast News Service that the class was required to write a letter to their senator advocating for homosexual adoption and foster care. Brooker said she opposes homosexual adoption because of her beliefs as a Methodist.
Brooker said she and another student objected.
"We were willing to do all of the research and the other parts of the assignment, even writing a letter - we just didn't want to sign it and send it to our senator. We did not feel that advocating for this is in our personal beliefs," she said.
The other student, who was not held in violation or involved in the lawsuit, has not been named.
Brooker described her first class with Kauffman.
"The very first class I had with him, he introduced himself as Dr. Kauffman and [said] that he was a liberal professor - but to feel free to share any other opinions you might have," she recalled.
"There were several times during that first class that we disagreed on a few political issues, and he made it known to me that my opinions were not acceptable in the class."
After Kauffman filed the grievance, Brooker faced a lengthy session of questioning by an ethics committee, during which she was asked questions like: "Do you think gays and lesbians are sinners?" and "Do you think I'm a sinner?"
She was accused of violating the school's Standards of Essential Functioning in Social Work Education - a black mark on her record that she knew would affect her future career as a social worker.
Brooker sought help from the Alliance Defense Fund. The group, which defends religious liberty, agreed to represent her. She filed the lawsuit on Oct. 30, but the university last week signed an out-of-court agreement with her legal representatives.
The university said in a statement it had agreed to clear Brooker's record, pay her $9,000, and cover the costs of a two-year Masters degree course, plus living expenses, at any state university in Missouri.
It said Kauffman had voluntarily stepped down from his administrative duties as director of the Master of Social Work program. He would also not be teaching for the remainder of the semester.
"The matter's behind us, it's been resolved in a collegial fashion, and we wish Emily nothing but the best," John Black, general counsel at Missouri State University, said Friday.
"Nobody here has anything but the best hopes for Emily ... and are confident she will do very well."
Black said that the university had "good grievance procedures."
"This was an event that when the university investigated it, we didn't confirm everything that was alleged, but we were concerned enough that we thought action needed to be taken and taken quickly."
'Silencing the opposition'
Erik Stanley, chief counsel for the religious freedom organization Liberty Counsel, told Cybercast News Service it was "appalling" that Brooker had been required to sign a document that violated her religious beliefs.
"I don't think anyone should be required to do that, regardless of social workers' ethics. Those types of issues like homosexuality or abortion - things that are very divisive and that people hold very strong religious views on - should not be mandated by the government in order to engage in these kinds of professions, like social work," Stanley said.
"The end result of the homosexual movement is not same-sex marriage," he added. "It is silencing the opposition. The end goal of the same-sex movement cannot tolerate anybody that has an opposing view point. These kinds of cases are indicative of that."
"I only wish other administrations would respond as quickly to violations of students' rights," ADF senior legal counsel David French said.
"Being a Christian shouldn't make you a second-class citizen on a college campus," said French in a statement.
"Instead of being a marketplace of ideas, some professors try to silence or even punish students whose beliefs do not conform to their personal worldview. To its credit, the university launched an investigation immediately after Emily's case was filed and has taken appropriate action against the professor and to repair Emily's reputation and record.
Brooker said people had asked her if she would do it again.
"I would definitely do this again. It was very important to me to let my voice be heard. I was very afraid for other students that didn't want to stand up, didn't want to say anything or question the authority that the professors have in the classroom," she said.
Brooker had no ill-feeling towards Kauffman.
"He is very knowledgeable in what he does. He knows the information, and he is a very good teacher in that aspect," she said.
"I was never setting out to get him fired - that was never my goal. I just wanted him, the department and the university to realize that the authority that professors perceive to have in the classroom has gone beyond what our policies allow them," Brooker added.
Kauffman did not respond to phone and email requests to comment for this article.
Reminds you of the Soviets doesn't it...
The Pharisees also...
Beat me to it...well said. I would love to have been in that room and had that questioned asked. It would have been a great opportunity to tell them about sin and God's laws.
After Kauffman filed the grievance, Brooker faced a lengthy session of questioning by an ethics committee, during which she was asked questions like: "Do you think gays and lesbians are sinners?" and "Do you think I'm a sinner?"
Of course her best answer would be, "Of course. We're all sinners. But some of us are forgiven."
That would really drive them crazy.
Obviously, not the kind of Methodist who runs the show in that denomination.
Many denominations have problems with their leadership now. Since your tagline is in latin is it safe to assume you're catholic? If so, can you think of any problems your own denomination has had in recent years?
Good point. I think non-believers take it a step further and apply judgement to the equation. It's judgement that makes them uncomfortable. They don't want to be judged by a bunch of "holier than thou" Christians, even though every Christian I've ever known has preached the impossibility of sin-free life on Earth, and the wholly underserved forgiveness and mercy of Christ.
They should'nt come up in a philosophy or sociology class, either. During my college days, I had great professors that I'm pretty darned sure were liberal, but could not be absolutely certain about that, either. And I was never punished for speaking my opinion, which was conservative then. I also had to sit through some classes where the professors were flat out lefty loons that made no bones about that, but still was not punished for expressing my conservative opinions.
The good ones keep you in doubt and the honest ones that have even a shred of intellectual integrity will give you credit where it is due. I had a comment on a paper that read (verbatim):
"I see you have a fanatical bent for individual rights, despite the fact that we have shown this semester of how damaging they can be to the community and the individual themselves. Oh well, at least you do write well and present your point of view in a logical, concise manner, with good factual support for your conclusions and opinions."
One of the dammedest things I've ever read. I got an A on the paper, too.
It seemed to work well for Immanual Kant and many other Age of Enlightenment professors.
I'm with you on that, but something tells me Emily managed just fine on her own.
Not all gay people belong to this "movement." There are gay people who wish for nothing more than to be left alone, so they can live their lives quietly. They know what goes on in the bars and baths, and they see the indecency on display at parades, and they are also offended by this. Many gay people do not want gay marriage, understanding the special role of marriage; they might wish for a limited sort of civil union or partners benefits for insurance.
Also, many gay people are deeply religious and understand the principle that no one has freedom of speech, religion or conscience if anyone does not have these rights.
In return, Christians and others who believe that homosexuality is immoral and unhealthy need to realize that most of the medical community and much of society no longer believes this. If they find themselves in a state-supported university whose faculty teach that homosexuality is normal and healthy, they should not be surprised. Nor should they carry on as if they are about to be fed to the lions because their point of view is received with skepticism or a particle of hostility. They should of course however expect their rights to be treated with complete respect; I find it deeply gratifying to see a leftist bully get disciplined in this public manner.
107 Pebble Creek
Willard, MO 65781
(417) 742-2450
frankkauffman@missouristate.edu
New College Motto:
"Here at Missouri State University,
we rip-off students too stupid, gutless
or already indoctrinated to complain
and pass the benefits on to you !!!"
What I'd like to ask the "leadership" of the University what these questions were about, who was asking them, why they were asking them, and do they intend to ask them of others in the future?
It figures. A female sexual minority is essentially a nazi in imposing her views on others.
These are the worst, the most shrill, the most mean and vindictive.
No wonder Rush calls them feminazis.
You didn't mention, that everyone who has ever lived on this earth was/is a sinner....except one. Jesus was tempted as we are, but without sin.
Apparently they didn't wish her the best until the lawsuit was filed.
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