July 29, 2010

FCC Prof Under Fire for Anti-Gay Remarks

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By KSEE News

Story Published: Mar 17, 2010 at 9:34 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2010 at 2:41 AM EDT

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The pressure is on Fresno City College to resolve the controversy surrounding Professor Bradley Lopez. He's been accused of making anti-gay remarks, and teaching the bible as fact. On Wednesday the school announced it's taking action. Students are sounding off, and so is the professor's attorney. What action do you think Fresno City College should take? Leave us your comments.

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Amy said on Saturday, Apr 3 at 7:48 PM

He looks like he has a mental disease - and he does not look healthy at all to be teaching about health. The stress produced by his actions can not be good for one's health....

Nancy Rodgers said on Sunday, Mar 21 at 7:32 PM

People who have commented on this professor have no business writing anything unless they were IN his class. I was in this professors class and his use of the Bible as a reference was in good taste and used as a reliable source. I also can tell you that his comment on gay relationship was completely valid because in Health class the subjust of reproduction is studied and discussed. How can a gay couple reproduce an offspring? I have sat in numerous classes at Fresno City College when the professor makes statements that I do not agree with. This is college. Many views will be discussed and considered as part of the College education. Grow up people!!

Tom said on Saturday, Mar 20 at 12:22 PM

Just a couple little points. When it comes to college we are no longer in the 'public school mindset'. At the college level the student is paying for a service. The student decides which courses they wish to persue. If the student wanted to hear religious views I'd think they would sign up for a religious course. Secondly, we all know the APA designates and provides a list of mental illness'. Since they are the deffinitive source for such information to do, literarly define, for medical and factual purposes what a mental disorder is. The APA removed homosexuality from the DSM in 1973. I doubt Mr. Lopez informed the class of that.

Julie said on Friday, Mar 19 at 10:52 PM

Mr. Lopez looks like Satan.

Dan said on Friday, Mar 19 at 5:49 PM

As a former Health 1 student, I am behind Dr. Lopez all the way. Although he should keep his religious beliefs to himself and stick to the subject of health science. I know he has been on the job for many years at FCC and I believe he should NOT lose his job over this! These students who are complaining, should just earn their passing grade and move on with the rest of their education. GOOD LUCK Dr. Lopez!

Amy said on Friday, Mar 19 at 4:38 AM

His lawyer seems so intelligent and full of class doesn't he? Now that is someone who I want to represent me in a civil court of law. Foul language and illogical train of thoughts seems to always work really well in a court of law. They seem like a pair made in heaven.

Janine said on Friday, Mar 19 at 2:48 AM

I don't think ANY professor should teach anything other than the subject matter. There are as many, if not more, instructors who "preach" pro choice and pro gay lifestyles in class and the community is not screaming and protesting. Many of our family members have been held hostage in classrooms by instructors who promote their political views as well. I think they ALL should be limited to the subject matter. In addition, I have had family members who were subjected to lectures by instructors who ridiculed certain religions (unhappily their own). Personal opinions of instructors are just that...not always that valuable and therefore should be kept to themselves. It should apply to ALL professors, teachers, educators from kindergarten on up !

Adam said on Friday, Mar 19 at 12:49 AM

The bible as facts? lol - Yeah, he should definitely be fired. If he wanted to be a preacher, he should have taught a Sunday school and not college.

JB said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 11:32 PM

WOW,Everybody gets all-worked-up when the words,bible or freak get "WHISPERED:I just love it when someone spewes vomit from thier keyboard telling everybody else what they need to do.I will just tell what "I" would do.FIRE THE TEACHERS,AND BURN THE BOOKS.That way nobody's delicate sensibilities will be offended.PROBLEM SOLVED.

Muhammed said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 8:00 PM

Allah is the one true God.

john said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 6:50 PM

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

SerioK said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 6:14 PM

Fresno City College is a joke of an academic institution for nor firing Professor Lopez immediately. If he had applied his religious beliefs to teach that black people should still be slaves or that Jews were Christ killers then he would have been axed immediately, and noone in their right mind would disagree with that ruling. Bigotry against homosexuals is no different, even though some people still tend to accept it for whatever reason. The bottom line is bigotry is bigotry and should not be tolerated in any way, shape or form. I would argue that his actions may initially warrant a suspension if he was willing to publicly apologize, but his utter insubordination and classless comments by both he and his lawyer are indicative of the type of infectious, intransigent personality that is being dealt with. He should be shown no mercy for his atrocious actions. The longer Fresno City College takes, the worse they look.

David D said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 1:49 PM

The ACLU should be ashamed that they argued against Academic Freedom. They were founded to protect college faculty from anyone who challenged what was said in the classroom. Anyone who believes that Mr. Lopez should be forced to teach only what they want to hear is using exactly the same reasoning that allowed Hitler to kill millions who did not agree with the majority view. And the student who initiated this action has no business disrepecting Mr. Lopez's Academic Freedom. She is suppose to learn to be willing to listen to points of view that challenge her personal prejudices.

czarina #1 said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 12:17 PM

I find the tenor of much of the comment thread just about as frightening as the statements of Professor Lopez. These are college students ~ a privilege not everyone has ~ and 'public' college students; not students in a religious school of one set of beliefs or another. This is a period of their lives they could be expanding their worldview and not be exposed to dogma of a very particular and limited nature. And most certainly not in a health class which I assume has formalized lesson objectives. Maybe many of you believe in the Bible all-out literally and that you interpret it as putting down gay and lesbian people and you also believe in some kind of Christian cataclysmic end of the world. This is your right. But please think for a moment rather than knee-jerk respond. Just an exercise in 'thinking', unstead of 'reacting'.

czarina #1 said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 12:16 PM

czarina #2 said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 12:15 PM

1. Are you aware that million of Christians don't interpret the Bible in that way? And certainly billions of other people have other beliefs. 2. This is a public institution, a center of learning. It is not your church, where, again, it's your right to believe what you wish. 3. Science has proven that sexual orientation and gender variance is a natural occurrence in humans and other species. Again, you don't have to accept science in the privacy of your mind, home, and church; although this is your loss in terms of understanding the world. 4. What if Professor Lopez were Orthodox Jewish? How would it feel to be told in your health class that the Messiah has not yet come and you are sinful for enjoying a pork roast? Or if he were Hindu ranted about eating steak? What if he were a devout Muslim and derided the gals in class for their filthy immodest clothing and it will be their fault if they're raped? And that if they didn't accept Mohammed they were going to Islamic hell?

czarina #3 said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 12:12 PM

I think you would not take #4. lightly. I think you would complain vigorously that religious personal views having nothing to do with the syllabus had absolutely no right to be brought up in your health class. And you would be right. I cannot encourage you enough to open your eyes, see the world as it is, have compassion for your fellow humans, and, if you so desire, keep your religious beliefs. In your mind, home, church. Health class in a public school setting is no place for the extreme personal opinions of any professor of any persuasion, and Professor Lopez should both know that and face the consequences of his unprofessional actions.

Bobby said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 8:19 AM

Teachers have a right to teach and students have a right to learn. However I dont not think what this teacher is bringing to the class room is not part of the Curriculum. Religious and personal beliefs should be kept private especially if they are going to be offensive. We are all entitled to have are opinions but the classroom is not a place for them. If Students are feeling uncomfortable going to class or feel that their grade may suffer because of the instructors opinions then I think the School does need to step in and take appropriate action. Yes students should be adults about this but the Instructor too needs to be an adult and think about what he says before he says it.

Anonymous said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 8:08 AM

They are instructors at FCC - NOT professors. He has been controversial for MANY years. Kudos to those willing to take & stand & let the institution know!

ShaverGuy said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 7:18 AM

So if I'm reading most of your comments right, it IS ok for some college professors to teach tollerance when someone wants to be their buddy's back door man, but it's not ok for a college professor to teach that it's NOT ok to "do" your buddy.....sounds like a fair deal to me.

Shannon said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 6:38 AM

A professor has an obligation to accurately represent mainstream thought within the discipline. Since this discipline is Health Science, to bring religion into the classroom to comment on homosexuality is a violation of professional ethics. The only way religion should be represented in such a class really should be a discussion of how people can find social support systems and emotional comfort in religion. He should not be using religion in any other way, since Health Science is a science-based course.

LGT said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 4:57 AM

Mr. Lopez is welcome to have his own religious beliefs. Freedom of religion is the law. But he is not entitled to teach them as “science” in class. The Bible is not a scientific book. The views he espouses are those of particular conservative Christian groups. These groups do not have a monopoly on truth or faith. His interpretation of homosexuality is not only NOT based on science, it is NOT a belief held by many mainline Christian churches. If Mr. Lopez is not able to tell the difference between his personal religious beliefs on homosexuality and health science, then all the more reason why he shouldn’t be teaching at community college, CSU or UC school systems. These are publicly funded secular colleges in the United States where separation of church and state is the law and where students of many different faiths or no faith come to get a mainstream professional education, not a religious one. A health science class is not a platform for religious views for or against gay rights.

Tracy Savage said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 3:13 AM

Where did he do his degree work and how did he get hired? The Bible as FACT? It is of historical import to one ethnic group of an ancient nomadic tribe, and has its anecdotes have not been entirely proven in any respect, to be called fact in sum. If divine inspiration is the basis of a religious document being fact, then one that is educated in the world religions would know that they are ALL based in so-called divine inspiration/prophecy, and with this fallacious argument, they would ALL have to be considered fact. Supernatural and paranormal phenomena is not scientifically substantiated, and the Judeo-Christian Bible steeped in these myths. To rely on a Bronze-age document for laws and practices that are outmoded and outdated is somewhat ignorant, as society has moved on and realized what was good for the socially primitive tribes of yesterday, is a human rights violation of today. Welcome to the year 2010, Professor Lopez.

Kristina said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 3:08 AM

I think nothing should happened to Mr.Lopez he shuld say what he wants to say. now days our schools can talk about sex,drugs and violence and no one complains but as soon as someone comments about gays and the bible people want to complain. now days the Bible should be in our schools we would not have so much violence but more respect

Maverick said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 2:52 AM

This is not about "tolerance" or intolerance but is about the quality of higher learning in a public classroom. If I wanted my child to hear about Christianity I would send them to church and not a public college. This professor crossed the line and should be fired. Homosexuality is NOT a mental disorder and if this professor was not so ignorant, he would have realized that all major science institutions and researches agrees that it is NOT any kind of disorder but in fact, a natural occurring event in nature. Mr. Lopez is in idiot...plain and simple. This is a college folks...not church...leave your unsubstantiated beliefs in your churches and don't let it spew out into a public college where hard science and data should be the main focus, and not teachings from a vile and disgusting book like the bible. Really, has anyone really read the bible? It's disgusting and nothing more than a collection of myths by cavemen. Are you kidding me, Mr. Lopez??? Get a real education.

Aaron said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 2:31 AM

Some are trying to outlaw any religious belief that calls homosexuality is a sin. They scream and argue about intolerance but they believe that it's only intolerant if it's against their way of thinking. They surely don't tolerate any Christian teaching. This is an institution of higher learning. Learn all you can and make your own decisions about life. Who do they think they are protecting by getting rid of thought that is not like their own? This fits the definition of bigot.

Clarissa said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 2:16 AM

I think that this subject should be contained in a philosophy class and not HS 1, this subject is highly inappropriate for a teacher to be debating with students, especially insinuating the bad about homosexual. Students should not have to experience biased religious opinions that make them feel unsafe when they pay for a textbook education.

Lance said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 2:15 AM

There are those who will never be satisfied until the Bible is banned from our culture. They demand tolerance for everything, yet are intolerant of the Bible. It appears they believe in the Bible more than they claim. Whether they believe it is true is irrelevant, the Bible speaks for itself that it is. However, I agree that the laws of the land be upheld, unbiased. Our Country itself, that gives us these freedoms of speech, as I am doing here, are all inspired by the Bible, one way our another. I pray for all parties involved.

ann said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 2:13 AM

Your report was not complete. you say "studentS" complain about Dr. Lopez but you only interviewed 2, one apparently being the one who brought the complaint. What about the students who support him? Also, what about instructors who bash conservative Christians? Where is the ACLU when they are insulted by professors comments about their beliefs? I support both Professor Lopez's views and his academic freedom.

Shannon said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 2:10 AM

Its college, you are exposed to different perspectives about everything. Anti or pro about anything always has a result, why is the anti always negative? let him teach what he feels is best relation to the subject.

Noah said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 2:09 AM

How can this guy be a professor and be so ignorant? No wonder our children are failing schools when we have a professor who does not know what facts and opinions are. There are a million examples to pull from and he deliberately chose the bible to make his point...a moot point. I think people who are ignorant has some mental disorder in which they can not accept scientific facts even if it goes against their personal beliefs. Homosexuality is not a mental disease and science agrees. Religion, especially Christianity and Islam, are vile and disgusting and produces vile and disgusting people such as Mr. Lopez. This idiot should be fired and barred from teaching anyone's children.

JR said on Thursday, Mar 18 at 12:40 AM

As a professor, he should teach according to what the course requires. He shouldnt impose he own religious beliefs as facts. If he does then, he should have it connect somehow to his course and open for debate. This world has a lot of problems because religious beliefs separates us and gives us the right to hate. We all deserve the same civil rights. If I am Jewish, I would expect to go to a Catholic Church & demand Jewish Church Services. We should respect our own beliefs & values as long as it doesnt hurt anyone else. Come on we are all adults.

Nicole said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 10:31 PM

He should stick to teaching what is in the textbook. What does anti-gay and bible opinions have to do with Health 1 anyways??

Dann said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 10:21 PM

I think that he has the right to teach what he wants to, as we all know, it is ok for the other side to say whatever they want to without being criticized. Mr Lopez thanks for standing up for what you believe in. My family and I support everything that you are doing. My God bless you and your family.

Doug said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 10:16 PM

Congratulations to Professor Lopez! It is so heartening to hear of an instructore who finaly will tell the truth to his students! God bless you, sir.

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 10:14 PM

Great- what action?

Mayra said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 10:11 PM

If this professor is going to have negative results for making anti gay comments then all other professor who are for gay rights should have the same results. And if the adult student can't accept others beliefs or comment then they should consider going back to high school.

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