Student sues university over Christian beliefs
An Augusta State University graduate student is facing dismissal from the university’s counseling program unless she silences her convictions on homosexuality and gender identity, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
Jennifer Keeton, 24, plans to press forward with her lawsuit against the university if she is not allowed to retain her biblical viewpoints and remain a graduate student at ASU, according to the complaint filed by the Alliance Defense Fund. The complaint names ASU President William Bloodworth and professors Mary Jane Anderson-Wiley, Paulette Schenck and Richard Deaner as defendants, according to the documents filed in United States District Court in Augusta.
“Jennifer Keeton has not been accused of mistreating a client,” said David French, senior counsel for ADF, a legal alliance that supports religious freedom. “She’s being told, ‘You must change your beliefs or we’ll deny you a degree.’ “
Keeton claims that she has voiced her Christian beliefs inside and outside the classroom on homosexuality and other biblical teachings. ASU faculty has ordered her to undergo a remediation plan, which would include diversity sensitivity workshops, she says.
Gee, a school counselor who gets vocal about her fire-and-brimstone condemnation of gays — whod’a thunk that would be a problem?
Edward Delgado-Romero, a University of Georgia associate professor of counseling psychology, said he is not familiar with the case, but is aware that every university counseling program has national guidelines on training and practice. Every student entering the counseling field should be aware of what is considered acceptable, he said.
“All programs that are training professional counselors have guidelines, not in terms of belief but in terms of behavior during training and treatment,” Delgado-Romero said. “A student saying ‘I personally have religious beliefs against this group, and I will convince my clients to believe this’ would be a conflict.”
In other words, keep it to yourself, dumbass. Or find a new career.
But wait! Here comes the poor, oppressed Christians part:
“This is an emerging trend in education, social work and counseling,” French said. “Schools are trying to ensure that their children graduate with a particular world view.”
Promotion of tolerance in the fields of counseling & therapy? Yeah, that’s totally new, and waaaaay too radical for our American theocracy.
Keeton is suing the university for actual and nominal damages to vindicate her “constitutional injuries,” according to court documents. She is also requesting that the university pay for her attorney fees.
1000 eyerolls.
“I really want to serve others,” Keeton said. “I want to strengthen and prepare young people for the challenges they will face.”
….EXCEPT THOSE DIRTY GAYS, you stupid, sniveling cow.
from the comments: (this person has a Don’t Tread On Me flag icon - color me not surprised)
Way to stand up for your beliefs Jennifer. You have my support and prayers in this matter. It is about time somebody is standing up to the muzzling of the Christian population in this country.
If only the Christian population were muzzled.