UPDATE: MARCH 26, 8:25 a.m
Florida Atlantic University has apologized and says Ryan Rotela will not be punished.
Ryan Rotela, a devout Mormon attending Florida Atlantic University at Davie, Fla., was suspended from his intercultural communications class for refusing to stomp on a piece of paper with the name “Jesus” written on it, CBS affiliate WPEC reported Thursday.
According to WPEC, the class was conducting an exercise that was spelled out in the textbook, “Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach, 5th Edition.”
Fox News' Todd Starnes obtained a synopsis of the lesson.
“Have the students write the name JESUS in big letters on a piece of paper,” the lesson instructed. “Ask the students to stand up and put the paper on the floor in front of them with the name facing up. Ask the students to think about it for a moment. After a brief period of silence instruct them to step on the paper. Most will hesitate. Ask why they can’t step on the paper. Discuss the importance of symbols in culture.”
While some in the class completed the exercise, Rotela did not, citing his religious convictions. He wrote “Jesus” on a piece of paper and placed it on the floor, but that was as far as he would go.
“He had us all stand up and he said ‘stomp on it,’” he said. “I picked up the paper from the floor and put it right back on the table.”
According to Starnes, Rotela told his instructor, Deandre Poole, that the exercise was insulting and offensive.
“I said to the professor, ‘With all due respect to your authority as a professor, I do not believe what you told us to do was appropriate,’” he told WPEC. “‘I believe it was unprofessional and I was deeply offended by what you told me to do.’”
“Anytime you stomp on something it shows that you believe that something has no value. So if you were to stomp on the word Jesus, it says that the word has no value,” he added.
Two days later, Rotela spoke to Poole's supervisor and learned that he was suspended from the class.
The school defended the action against Rotela.
“Faculty and students at academic institutions pursue knowledge and engage in open discourse. While at times the topics discussed may be sensitive, a university environment is a venue for such dialogue and debate,” the college told WPEC in an email.
“As with any academic lesson, the exercise was meant to encourage students to view issues from many perspectives, in direct relation with the course objectives,” Noemi Marin, director of the school of communication and multimedia studies, said. “While at times the topics discussed may be sensitive, a university environment is a venue for such dialogue and debate.”
Making matters worse, the instructor involved was identified as the vice chair of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, a tidbit not mentioned by the local media in the original report.
In his report at BizPac Review, Tom Tillison said that Poole's actions “add fire to an already-disturbing pattern of hate coming out of the local party.”
Reaction to the incident was swift and furious, with some alumni expressing anger with their alma mater.
“Perhaps I'll burn my FAU diploma and mail the ashes to them, symbolizing what they are worth these days,” one reader said.
Others wondered what would have happened if the instructor used another religious figure, like Buddha or Mohammed. Starnes said the college did not explain why other names were not included in the exercise.
According to WPEC, FAU did not say if the instructor would face any disciplinary action.
For one: Institutions of learning, can NOT force students to do things that are against their moral convictions.
Two: Notice, they specifically told them to do the “exercise” using a name that is generally honored and respected and connected to the Christian Judeo faith. If they would have even suggested writing the word mohammed on the paper and throwing it on the floor for the “exercise” there would be an international incident, and probably people murdered, buildings bombed, etc. (Of course, being a “religion of peace” the perpetrators would have gotten off completely unscathed.)
This entire scenario STINKS… the stench of which should circle the globe and call attention to the deliberate atrocities going on here!!
“While at times the topics discussed may be sensitive, a university environment is a venue for such dialogue and debate.”
Well of COURSE a university environment is a venue for dialogue and debate…unless you have the courage to voice an opposing view from your professor and then you and your opinion must be kicked of out class!
I agree with Ben Charles. This entire scenerio stinks and yes, it is becoming more and more common. As sharia law will prevail, we are ALL in for a dark night. I am stunned at how all this is coming to pass and it is allowed…….
This story has nothing to do with Muslims, yet you’re turning it into an attack on Islam. How cruel. How ignorant. How typical.
Who is the idiot professor that assigned such a stupid exercise? He should be reprimanded and then chased out of higher learning. Absolutely no morals or common sense.
Thanks for being a great example, Ryan!
Ryan – way to choose the right and stand up for your faith. It’s wrong to compel someone to act in contradiction to their beliefs. Even crazier that he was suspended for standing up for his beliefs in an appropriate way. I smell a lawsuit coming!
Ryan I commend you for standing up for Jesus our Lord and Savior. I am not a Mormon but a Baptist and I agree that what you did was the right thing to do. It is a rare occasion to see someone stand up for what they believe in. Especially when it comes to religion. And as for all those who would and will deny Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Remember this. He did for all of us on the cross for our sins. And all he asks of us is to believe in him 100% and to pray. I myself am extremely grateful to our Lord God Almighty who sent his son down on earth to die on Calvary for our sins to be washed away. As it says in the bible: John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. So Ryan you did great in Standing up and believing in Jesus and for what you believe in. I know that because of your actions, Jesus gave a great big smile and thanked you with all of his heart.
It takes courage for a young man to go against a professor in this way. Thank you for having courage.
I have to wonder just what this woman was trying to accomplish by forcing students to disrespect the sacred name of Jesus, even if it wasn’t sacred to her? It looks much more like a power game to me, and in incredibly poor taste, to say the least. Here she is supposedly trying to teach cultural communication, yet she’s completely insensitive herself. To ask him to behave in a way that would have him go against all he respects and holds dear, then to expel him from her class? Power game, my friends, That’s what this is about.
That the university backed her and sustained the expulsion speaks badly indeed for the future of that school and its students.
I am a Democrat and I find this action to be repulsive on the part of every participant except the young man. Mr Rotela. He is the only one with any integrity, any dignity.
Shame on that teacher and that University.
It seems the professor should consider the intended purpose, which was respecting the reactions and views of others. Many of the people preaching tolerance are themselves very intolerant of Christianity.
I don’t recall anyone attacking the Muslim faith here… Just suggesting that if it had been Mohammads name what would have happened…. Lou would like to turn this around… Yeah, that’s pretty typical..
This student did the right thing. Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, he honored God at persona risk. I am proud of him, and appalled that they disciplined him for having dignity, character and back bone. The professor had a lot of nerve asking people to do something so inappropriate, and insenstive. And this is not an attack on Muslims – as a Christian, I love Muslims and have lovely Muslim friends. However, it is true that if it were the name Mohammed or Allah they would be in big trouble from extremists, as has been shown in the past.
There was a program started back in the 60s or 70s known as ‘Values Clarification’. It involved identifying students’ beliefs and values they’d been raised with, shocking them with some push-poll type question, denigrating what they believed, then guiding them into a more ‘tolerant’ outlook. Phrases like, ‘that’s YOUR truth’, ‘that’s old-fashioned’, ‘evolved people understand that we must change with the times’, and ‘your parents mean well, but…’, were strewn throughout the teachers’ guidelines. The purpose was to destabilize, then detach the students’ connection with family, then implant the approved mindset in them. This sounds quite similar.
thank you for your great example Ryan! Stay brave and true!
I emailed the professor and asked him, “Instead of Jesus why didn’t you have the students write Obama on a sheet of paper, have them think about it, then stomp on it? It is more relevant and would definitely have better stimulated the proposed discussion.” But since he is writing a book “Obamamania: The Rise of a Mythical Hero” I already knew the answer to my question. I wonder if a white professor had had their students do the the same exercise using Obama’s name instead if it would be considered racist? Of course it would, especially by this black leftist indoctrinator.
I applaud the actions of this young man. That professor should be ashamed of such a power play. It’s all too common for educators to bully college students in the name of educational exploration. Since when does America discourage its citizens from showing integrity?
It’s funny how “dialogue and debate” are a one-way street to these people. Why isn’t Ryan’s reaction part of a discussion instead of a reason to suspend him? Professors love diversity, until someone actually challenges them. Continue to stand, Ryan — don’t back down.
Ryan was correct in reflecting his own feelings regarding the exercise. The prof didn’t even understand the exercise. So much for American education. Why would someone be suspended for politely reflecting his own beliefs in class. Where has fairness gone in the USA.
What on earth is happening in America?
It was once a land of religious freedom, which people from all over the world, fled to seek refuge from religious persecution!
Now it’s a country where the mocking of religious symbols, can be described as higher education.
What happens to you America???
Ryan, your God and savior must be proud of you …
Regards Bjarne
Copenhagen, Denmark.
He should have written Deandre Poole on the paper and stomped on that!
I believe this is the website for the school – http://www.fau.edu/broward/davie/
They have a contact button. Just take a few moments and send them a short email expressing your support for Ryan. Don’t send some crazy email, it won’t help. Just express your support for this young man who stood up for his beliefs.
The student did exactly what the exercise was meant to make him do, express his values, reveal his culture! the exercise mentions nothing of having to stomp on the paper only to express why you do it, hesitate or won´t do it…apparently they have a teacher that can´t read a communication exercise and therein lies a huge problem!
Where is the academic exercise where they STOMP on the name/picture of Muhammad?
Oh no, that would never happen, as tolerance is the most hypocritical point of the liberal left. They preach tolerance only as long as you believe and follow progressivism.
I don’t understand this liberal hate. I really don’t. And it’s cowardly as well. There are certain things that are okay to hate = christians, overweight people. Safe groups that don’t retaliate. It’s time to stop the hate. Even if we have to scare them the way some of these groups are too scary to pick on.
Thank you, Ryan for being an example to other young people on the correct way to handle an uncomfortable situation. I’m praying that the end results of this are in your favor, and that God continues to guide and lead you. Once again,thank you for shining the light of Jesus! Somehow I believe that is how he would have handled the same situation. With class and grace! Good luck,sir!
This story really annoys me – America, show some form! You shouldn’t allow this Professor to continue teaching students if this is how he/she will treat them, this is really appalling!.. Very disappointed, from New Zealand
Thank you for being a great example and stand tall for your faith. You are a true Christian by standing firm and take the unjust consequence of your conviction. I’m not sure what went through the head of the professor. Doesn’t she realize, that this kind of behavior is medieval and highly disrespectful – imagine the upheaval if it was another name on this paper – of course Christianity was chosen as that was without cost. I’m completely in awe, that assumingly intelligent people in universities, news media etc, have an uncontrollable urge to offend and ridicule religion and bully people who has a faith, just because free speech allow it. Just think for a moment how many people got hurt (and offended) because an idiot here in Dk just had to make fun of Islam. What did that bring the world? I do not condone the violent reactions and the attempt on his life, but I didn’t see a need to mock Islam either.
Many respectful greetings to you from a fellow Christian en Denmark.
AMERICA – AMERICA! – What has happened to you – is this what the founding fathers had in mind when they wrote your constitution – a constitution which stands as the beacon of freedom many other nations looked to, when they created their own?
Is this how you will treat the brave and free children of your nation if they do not embrace atheism or Darwinism, which in terms too are religions, as no one yet has brought un-refutable first hand proof to their authenticity. What is happening to you??
There’s one thing that stood out as odd to me: his claim that he was suspended from a class. I’ve heard of college students being suspended from school but I’ve never heard of anybody being suspended from a class.
For those who applaud him for sticking by his convictions (as I do), I hope you also support others who stand by their convictions, such as agnostics/atheists who continue to fight for the removal of the word “God” from our pledge and on our money. We shouldn’t have beliefs we disagree with shoved down our throats by a school nor should we have them shoved down our throats by the government.
Just thought I’d let you all know the picture above is of the professor not of the student.
The school’s website states that it is “A public, four-year coeducational doctoral degree-granting university.” It is so sad that in today’s USA the word “public” more often than not means all members of society EXCEPT persons of faith and those with traditional morals. Thank you Ryan for standing up for your beliefs.
Just sent an email to the school. Ryan thank you for standing up for what you believe. You are a great example.
The professor chose the wrong action here. If she would have asked you why you felt the way you did and discussed it, this whole mess would have never happened.
Medford, OR
The comment made by Ben at the top is exactly the point of this exercise. People stand up for their beliefs and ignorantly stigmatize others. Ben said, “If they would have even suggested writing the word mohammed on the paper and throwing it on the floor for the “exercise” there would be an international incident, and probably people murdered, buildings bombed, etc. (Of course, being a “religion of peace” the perpetrators would have gotten off completely unscathed.).” Ben, there are many extreme Christians (see Westboro Baptist Church) who also blow things up and kill innocent people (see Norway Massacre of 2011) but the predominantly Christian United States doesn’t stigmatize Christians as hateful and murderous. Just because a few extremists exist within a religious body doesn’t mean you can stigmatize a whole group of people for those actions committed by the extreme few. The point of this exercise was to see how difficult it was to deface a cultural symbol that had some significance to some of the students, so stepping on a picture of Mohammed would have been pointless for all students except those of Islamic faith.
Thank You for your Conviction Ryan! Many valid comments have been made regarding that fact that if this had been any other person, name, religion written on the paper that the results might have been totally different. College is supposed to enlarge our minds and understanding by exposing us to various types of views, opinions and concepts. Nowhere does it state in any approved books of higher learning that one need to go against their moral convictions or be suspended from their classes when they refuse to do so.
I was a regular volunteer at my daughter’s school which had a make up of about 80-90% African American many years ago. She was given the assignment to do a presentation on a Great African American during the month of Martin Luther King’s Birthday. I felt that this was a dividing assignment as I had never experienced an assignment for Great Irish Americans or Great Hawaiian Americans, or Great Mexican Americans. I informed the teacher, who was black, that my daughter was not going to participate because I felt it was promoted racism and division of our culture. It should have been strictly an assignment of Great Americans! I never had a single problem afterward as I continued to volunteer and be supportive of the teacher and school.
If the assignment goes against your moral fiber, make a stand, for if you fail to stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!
It amazes me and depresses me that of all the deep and important articles posted on this site, this is the one that brings out the conservatives in such a thunder.
I wish such energy and activism could be provoked for something that doesn’t seem so self-serving.
I’ve not seen cindervative people as hot over homelessness, racial or sexual discrimination, war & violence, poverty or even abortion.
But a paper stomp stirs it up.
I don’t understand these times.
Update: The school has apologized for the incident and says the exercise will no longer be used. Ever.
With all due respect, Eric, it amazes me that we even have to cover these kinds of stories in a country that was founded by people seeking religious freedom. The paper stomp is just an outward manifestation of something much larger.
Just out of curiosity, I wonder what would have happened if the teacher had first asked his students to write the word ‘Chocolate Cake’ on the paper, and then ask them to eat it. I suspect very few would have done it. “Writing the word ‘chocolate cake’ on a piece of paper doesn’t make it so…. it doesn’t even improve the flavor.”
Next, if he asked his students to do as is described in the article, I wonder what would have happened… I’m just curious.
I find these two exercises very instructive
Just out of curiosity, I wonder what would have happened if the teacher had first asked his students to write the word ‘Chocolate Cake’ on the paper, and then ask them to eat it. I suspect very few would have done it.
Performing these two experiments in conjunction might have created differing results. I wonder.
He didn’t want to hurt the paper’s feelings…
Ryan!! I wrote up a rant and it disappeared off of my screen…You are my personal hero. Who thinks of these immature ideas of stomping on a piece of paper?? I would not stomp on a paper if it had anything I loved on it. If you put the name of my six children on it, I would not stomp!! If you put any great leader who professed love to all nations and to each other and walked the walk, I would not stomp on it. Does noone believe in personal integrity any more??? This professor and many others have too much control and in this case got away with it (for now). Your country was founded on religious freedom! People left Europe and other places to find this freedom and now you are trying to penalize someone who refuses to stomp on this symbolic piece of paper? It is NOT the paper. It is what he stands for. Ryan, you are going on my personal hero list! You took the hit from the “virtual gun pointed at you” and said “Sorry, this is who I believe in. I am not going to stomp on it!!” Florida Atlantic University, your ratings should drop below the bar for this one. How closed minded and unconstitutional to have suspended Ryan for even a moment in time. Wait until the Christian world gets a hold of this!! Go Ryan!! We are behind you 100%
Since when is refusing to complete a single assignment grounds for suspension from a college course? Students often skip assignments in college for stupid reasons and nothing is done to them. This professor overreacted to a student taking a stand–even if a professor asks something to demonstrate a point about symbolism. Rotela’s reaction should have led to a discussion of different levels of commitment and how symbolism can be strong to many. Many students resist the learning they are asked to partake of for many reasons including narrowmindedness, laziness, or even a stronger commitment to something–It’s their personal responsibility if they choose to absorb the instruction given or refuse it.The responsibility of professors is to give the opportunity for different ideas, not to force the student to adopt those ideas.
Wen I was at college I was told that the whole purpose of third level education is Tao encourage freedom of thought. How can your establishment claim to be a legitimate University if it compels students to do something that is at odds with their principles. Well done Ryan and Shame on that idiot professor and Shame on the institution that supported his sectarianism.
So the idiot professor who teaches to understand others’ beliefs cannot understand others’ beliefs?
Did anyone of you even read the assignment? Some of you ask why anyone would assign such a stupid assignment, it says so in the article, if you would read it. To address issues of symbolism. The whole point was to watch the students hesitate, then ask why they hesitated and evaluate that. The point is not the stomping, even though you’re all so fervently focused on that, and the point does not the religious context that is placed on the assignment. The point is simply to draw attention to how ingrained the meaning of symbols are into us and to examine that. Your offended reactions are proof of this as all you can deduce from reading this is “they stompin on mah Jesus!” Even the teacher missed the point, you’re not supposed to force a student to step on the paper, you’re only supposed to observe the reaction of the student when told to step on the paper and evaluate that. There was no need to suspend the student and no need for a conflict between the student and the professor. If anything, what was supposed to happen was exactly what happened and both the student and professor held so steadfastly to their own dogmas that they both missed an important learning opportunity.
Where were the other Christians in this class? Why could they not also stand up for their beliefs in Jesus Christ like Ryan did? For all those that question if Mormon’s are Christians, hopefully this will remind them that yes, Mormon’s are Christians. The actions of this professor and the administration at FAU are appalling. If the professor had asked the students to write the name of any Mohammad, Budah or another religious leader there most certainly would have been mayhem. It’s pathetic for the school and the public to let him get away with this. Also, the fact that he is a leader in the democratic party is very disturbing. If a leader of the republican party did something like this, there would be calls for resignation. There is so much hypocrisy that has taken place here that it is truly disturbing.
If you read the lesson instructions, you will see that the object of the lesson was not to stomp on the paper. The object of the lesson was to have each student decide whether or not the words were culturally important enough to refuse.
The lesson instructions clearly state “Most will hesitate.”
Students were not required to stomp on anything. They were required to put the paper on the floor, and then follow their convictions, and EXPLAIN WHY they chose to stomp (or not stomp) on the words.
The exercise was meant to be a springboard for discussion on the importance of cultural symbols in our lives.
The teacher failed miserably by not understanding this. It sounds like he used it as a display of power, rather than the interesting lesson it could have been for his students.
The fact that the student was a Mormon, the word on the paper was “Jesus” or that the teacher was black or a member of a political party have NOTHING TO DO with the fact that a teacher mis-interpreted the goal of the object lesson, and failed to enlighten his class with a meaningful discussion of deeply held cultural values.
What we need are better teachers. Perhaps if we recruited the very best and paid them well, (at least as well as sports stars) we would rank number one in the world in education once again.
I admire & respect Ryan Rotela so very much for having the courage to refuse to follow his professor in doing something that was offensive to him and violated his love, respect and devotion to the Savior! I do not see any value to education to stomp on a picture of the Savior of all mankind. I am so thankful that the university has apologized and stated that the exercise will no longer be used ever! Our country will prosper only when we remember to respect the freedoms of others to worship how, where or what they may. We can honor the rights of all men & women by defending their freedom of religious beliefs even if they differ from our own. We need to work together as Americans and be united in the beliefs that our founding Fathers established in the Constitution to allow all men the privilege of following the dictates of their own conscience. We can live together in mutual respect and peace when we remember to regard and value the feelings and beliefs of others.
The university says that “..a university environment is a venue for such dialogue and debate,” And then they suspend the student for participating in the debate. A new slogan: “This is the place for debate….we’ll have no disgreements here.” Amazing
To Eric Blauer: I consider myself a conservative in most substantive areas of thought and I must tell you that I am just as angry about racism and sexism as I am about intolerance toward Christianity. The trouble is, real racism and real sexism have been cheapened by a media which claims any reasonable objection to a person’s ideas are founded in one of the two. I would take a stand against racism if I ever actually saw any. And I believe that women deserve just as much respect as men, if not for the same reasons. But I have never witnessed a true case of either. When I do, I guarentee I will be just as upset and will take as strong a stand as you would. Until then, I will focus on issues that are current, imminent and present.
To Allen West: Your analogy is mistaken. You are correct in saying the word cake is not cake itself. But such thinking cannot apply to the profound. To stomp on the US Flag is to disrespect the country. To disrepect the name of Jesus is to disrespect His importance to the Christian faith. Ryan is absolutely correct when he says that stomping on something show it has not value. It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. Sticks and stones may break your bones but words cut so much deeper. The name of Jesus is just as holy as Jesus Himself. In the Bible, He is described, not just as the Son of God, but also as the Word. This is more than metaphor. The 3rd Commanment says that you shall not take the Lord’s name in vain. Jesus is Lord, therefore stomping on His name is wrong, for anyone who professes to be a Christian. Even for Mormons, like Ryan, Jesus’ name is deserving of respect. That is why it is wrong to do what this instructor told them to do.
I must agree with much of what has been said previously, that our nation is one of hypocrisy and false tolerance. The only God not allowed, Jesus, because He and His pose a threat to liberalism, the practice of all-powerful, all-knowing, all-caring pharisees of the modern world. They refuse to be supplanted by God.
I’d say, Ryan…time to transfer to another university – preferably one which is truly an institution of higher learning. Clearly Florida Atlantic University at Davie, Fla isn’t able to grasp the concept of “higher” learning and is stuck in high school mode.