U. of I. professor's firing ridiculous, violated First Amendment rights

OK, I know that from time to time they test college athletes for drug use - but do they ever drug test the administrators?

After the firing of University of Illinois Professor Ken Howell for teaching what he was hired to teach (Intro to Catholicism and Modern Catholic Thought), I think maybe they should start. Not only was that a hysterical, knee-jerk reaction, but it also violated Professor Howell's First Amendment rights - twice (freedom of speech and freedom of religion).

When did a simple statement of beliefs become hate speech? Especially since he was simply stating well-known Catholic beliefs - which is exactly what he was hired to do!

The Pope has said virtually the same thing on any number of occasions. Are we going to accuse the Pope of hate speech?

For the record, I am not now, nor have I ever been a Catholic. But I have friends and acquaintances who are. And I can understand and respect their beliefs without practicing them.

Additionally, I am not now, nor have I ever been gay. But I have friends and acquaintances who are. And I can understand and respect their beliefs without practicing them.

Also for the record, the basic definition of "unnatural" is something not in accordance with nature. So, technically speaking, I guess that homosexuality could be classified as unnatural. But this doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with it.

Under this basic definition of unnatural, three things I do participate in: driving a car, scuba diving, and watching TV in my air-conditioned home. All are all unnatural behaviors. For that matter, even reading and writing are unnatural. Proof of this is the fact that we have to be taught to read and write.

If it was something natural for us to do, we would be born with the ability to read and write. Think of that the next time someone says that something you are doing is unnatural.

Of course, when you think about it, the jury is still out on the "born gay" versus "became gay" debate. But, if the "born gay" advocates turn out to be right, then maybe it isn't unnatural after all.

But, since we are born with a mouth and ears, nature obviously intended for us to communicate orally and face to face. Which means e-mail undeniably is unnatural, so maybe I'd better send this before the "Unnatural Police" come for me next.

Ed Emerson

East Dundee