The national agency which grants accreditation to social work courses is questioning Franciscan University of Steubenville over a course which lists homosexuality as a deviant behavior. Attention was drawn to the course by a group of Franciscan University alumni, identifying themselves as “Franciscan Gay Alumni & Allies”, who are demanding publicly that the university “revise its course descriptions and to stop contributing the culture of hate and ignorance.”
... In a written statement to LifeSiteNews, the university explains that the course uses the term “deviant” as used in the sociological sense, to mean “different from the norm.” In addition, the university stated, “Franciscan University follows Catholic Church teaching in regard to homosexuality and treats homosexual persons with ‘respect, compassion, and sensitivity’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2358) while holding homosexual acts as ‘intrinsically disordered.’ “
The statement goes on to say that the course description is an abbreviation of chapter headings from the course textbook, which is used by a number of other universities, including both secular and religious institutions.
Stephen Holloway, director of the school’s accrediting agency, Council on Social Work Education, in an interview with NPR (National Public Radio), stated the inclusion of homosexuality as a deviant behavior in the description “raises a red flag”.
11 Comments
This is one more example of how the cultural left uses insititional authority to strong arm social manipulation into the culture.
The whole point of same-sex "marriage" is to bring outlier groups into line with the new social order. These pressures will only accelerate under a regime of same-sex "marriage".
Homosexual behavior is two standard deviations outside the norm. In other words, it deviates from the norm. In still other words, the behavior is deviant.
I guess we'd better ban statistics and bell curves b/c they are homophobic concepts. While we're at it let's also ban facts.
Again because the social left disagrees, the dissenters must be punished. I shudder to think what this country would be like if one of them managed to become President.
@Zack - not sure if you're being facetious, b/c one of them IS president.
The group goes on to make a broad demand that the university “revise its course descriptions,” “stop contributing the culture of hate and ignorance
Ahh, playing the hate card again. Confront them the truth about their unhealthy and deadly behavior and they demand that you bless the conduct.
and “conduct an audit of its entire curriculum and remove any information being taught on this subject that is outdated and not substantiated by sound scientific fact.”
Outdated by whom. Real truths and facts or cowing to political pressure. The facts about how unhealthy homosexuality is completely substantiated by sound scientific fact.
Regarding the last demand the group states, “It is about time the University aligns itself with the truth of this matter.”
What truth would that be on this matter, that evil is now good and good is now evil.
@Barb
As much as Obama has assaulted basic principles. I do not believe he has forced churches to condone behaviors. Yes religious universities are being forced to go against their teachings, however the churches themselves have yet to face such lashing.
I emphasize "yet". These activists are far more radical than Obama is and that's what's frightening.
@Barb
Compared to these radicals, I'm comfortable with Obama.
@Barb, Obama WONT be president come 2013! All my african american friends here in texas said they voted for him in 2008 but have gone for romney now because of obama flipflopping on marriage and on abortion. The sad thing is i used to be a dem but now i ive had to change my outlook
I'm still a Democrat and will vote for Obama in a state he will carry anyway (just as Romney is a lock to carry Texas).I deplore his embrace of SSM (which means I won't volunteer or campaign or donate),but he's frankly too weak in his support for abortion rights.
Fighting against SSM is not just for "conservatives",it's a defense of the nature of human life (as is enforcing exclusion of "the unborn" from personhood...don't trust someone to count oak trees who can't tell them from acorns!)
Oh, so this excuse for a college level course describes “deviant” as used in the sociological sense, to mean “different from the norm.” Well why not study unicyclists or Quakers or or red heads or left handed people. No you can't make this seem like anything other than what it is - another disgraceful action by right wing Catholics to paint homosexuals an undeserving of respect, justice and pastoral care. Why do you people who post here defend this non Christian behavior?
Jay Junk,
Do you claim that same-sex sexual behavior is not deviant behavior? Please explain your meaning.
You would acknowledge that it is different from the norm. Do you also acknowledge that it is intrinsically disorder -- as per the moral assessment of Catholic teaching?
Perhaps you can state the basis for your complaint that the word, deviant, is disgraceful in this context.
Come on. Plainly state the basis. No more assuming that the basis exists, somewhere. Just state it forthrightly.