After a "Jesus stomping" incident at Florida Atlantic University, Republican Gov. Rick Scott demanded answers from the state's higher education department.
During a recent Florida Atlantic University class, student Ryan Rotela balked at instructor Deandre Poole's command to write the name "Jesus" on a piece of paper, place it on the floor and repeatedly stomp on it.
According to Hiram Sasser, a lawyer for Rotela, the situation escalated when Rotela "met with school officials about [the Jesus-stomping incident] and was informed of his suspension." Poole, the Vice Chairwoman of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, allegedly reported Rotela for ignoring her classroom exercise.
Though Florida Atlantic University has since apologized, Gov. Rick Scott wrote a letter to Florida State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan requesting an explanation and investigation into the incident and the Jesus-stomping assignment.
"Whether the student was reprimanded or whether an apology was given is [irrelevant] to the larger issue of a professor's poor judgment," Scott wrote, calling the exercise "offensive [and] intolerant to Christians." He also noted that should an exercise be carried out featuring any religion, it should be considered equally offensive.
The Miami Herald reported that officials at Florida Atlantic University defended Poole after Rotela spoke to her supervisor.
Rotela later met with the school's dean, Cory King, who apologized for the Jesus-stomping incident and said that the disciplinary measures enforced against him would be negated. Rotela, a Mormon, told a West Palm Beach television station that "anytime you stomp on something ... you believe it has no value. So if you were to stomp on the word 'Jesus,' it says that the word has no value."
In a statement released to the Palm Beach Post, Florida Atlantic University officials promised that the Jesus-stomping assignment would not be repeated in future classes.
In a debate-interview with FOX's Bill O'Reilly, liberal journalist Juan Williams defended Florida Atlantic University's Jesus-stomping exercise, later penning a column on the network's website, which read in part:
"The intent of the FAU classroom exercise is to promote critical thinking and draw attention to the sensitivity surrounding symbols in religion and politics. The best colleges encourage their students to question authority and challenge institutions -- be it government, in business or in matters of religious faith. That is the best way to teach young people to avoid politically correct thinking."
Williams later cited the Passion of Christ prior to his crucifixion, as it is now Holy Week for Christians worldwide, saying it was similar, yet far worse than the stomping assignment: "In this Easter season, it is important to recall that a mob called on the government to crucify Jesus, and they did it. That was far worse than stepping on a piece of paper with his name on it. Yet the power of Christ crucified, his death and resurrection, has inspired people and saved lives across the centuries."
He did say, however, opponents of the exercise, which included O'Reilly and fellow debate panelist Mary Katharine Ham, that "Americans have a right" to state their outrage at stomping on the name of Jesus, but that halting the assignment was "wrong," citing the alleged similarity to flag burning, which is Constitutionally protected in the United States.
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