Transgendered Professor Let Go From Christian University for Being a 'Distraction'

woensdag 25 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Jenny Erikson 12 hours ago

A professor at a California Christian University has finally found peace, but it comes at the cost of his job. H. Adam Ackley has been asked to step down from teaching theology and philosophy at Azusa Pacific University, because until this year, he was a she known as Heather Clements.

Ackley is in the third year of a five-year contract, but university officials have asked other teachers to take over his classes. He says the school has agreed to pay him through the end of the year, but not cover medical treatment for hormone therapy or “top surgery” through insurance.

Azusa apparently does not have an official policy on transgender issues, except to say, “Humans were created as gendered beings.”

Ackley said:

I did not get a sense directly from the individuals with whom I was speaking that they had a theological problem with transgender identity. I did get the message that it has to do with their concern that other people, such as donors, parents, and churches connected to the university will have problems not understanding transgender identity.

This is one of those tough situations that are becoming increasingly common in today’s culture. Ackley has struggled with gender-identity issues from childhood, and only made the switch this year after the American Psychiatric Association removed “gender identity disorder” from its list of mental illnesses. “This year has been a transition from being a mentally ill woman to being a sane, transgendered man,” he said.

While I applaud Ackley’s decision to live his life the way that he wants to, rather than conforming to societal or even religious norms, I also stand by Azuza Pacific’s right to ask him to step down. Agree with the decision or not, this is a private, religious school, and if they want their teachers to adhere to a particular code of conduct, then that’s their decision to make.

To force religious institutions to act in a way that is contrary to their beliefs tramples the First Amendment. One person’s right to his or her own lifestyle choices does not trump freedom of religion, even if a lot of people disagree with it. For example -- I love bacon cheeseburgers, but I’m not going to ask a kosher chef to make me one, even though I totally don’t understand how you can live a full life without knowing the insane deliciousness that is meat and cheese and bacon on a toasted bun with pickles.

Yes, H. Adam Ackley has every right to live as a man, and it seems like he’s already offering hope and inspiring others by being vocal about his faith and gender identity. But Azusa Pacific also has the right politely ask him to step down for making those lifestyle choices.

Do you think Azusa Pacific had the right to ask a professor to leave for being transgendered?

Image via idban secandri/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jenny Erikson

is a conservative chick living in Southern California with her two daughters. She loves politics and hates laundry.

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Ian Somerhalder Reveals How He Really Feels About Not Being Cast as Christian Grey

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Maressa Brown 14 hours ago

Ever since Ian Somerhalder was left in the dust by confirmation that Charlie Hunnam is going to be the big screen incarnation of Christian Grey, the Vampire Diaries' star's fans have been livid. Feeling downright brokenhearted and disappointed, they feel like they want justice to be served. Well, they may finally be able to cool their jets now that Ian has spoken out about how he truly feels about losing the coveted role ...

Speaking to HuffPost Live, Ian clarified that while he is "unbelievably grateful for all the support and all the cheering and the love" from fans who were campaigning for him to play Christian Grey, he's got enough on his plate already.

Ian elaborated, "I'm on a TV show that shoots 10 months a year." Furthermore, he says:

It's so funny, you read these blogs: 'Ian Somerhalder angry, livid he's not Christian Grey' -- I mean, no, no, no, there's none of that.

Whew! I don't know about you, but an enraged Ian Somerhalder is not someone I'd ever want to cross paths with! Eek! No, but seriously, good for him for setting the record straight -- and handling the situation in a mature, chill, professional way. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy's a bit bummed, but he gets major points -- from fans and Hollywood insiders alike -- for taking the disappointment like a man!

What's more, he's reminding fans they can see him as much as they want thanks to his existing gig with the CW! Plus, if rumors are true that he could end up cast as Gideon Cross in the upcoming small screen version of Sylvia Day's Crossfire novels, we'll get to see much, much more of him. Even more than if he had been cast as Christian Grey! And really, what could be better than that?

How do you feel about Ian's reaction to the post-Fifty Shades casting buzz?

Image via CWTV

Click the "Like" button below if you love vampires! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, hitting the gym, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

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Pastor May Lose His Job for Being a Really Good Parent

dinsdag 24 september 2013

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Nicole Fabian-Weber 1 hour ago

Rev. Frank Schaefer, a pastor in South Lebanon, Pennsylvania, is about to go on trial before the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church -- all because he officiated his son's wedding six years ago. What's wrong with a pastor officiating his son's wedding? Ah, well, you see, Rev. Schaefer's son happens to be gay, and his wedding was to -- gasp! -- someone of the same sex.

The trial is set to begin on November 18, and if things go really bad, he could be stripped of his ministerial credentials and out of a job. Schaefer says that he knew when he made the decision to officiate his child's wedding, it could lead to trouble, but it was a no-brainer. "The love for my son took over the fear of losing my job with the United Methodist Church," Schaefer said. "It was a tough decision in some sense, but I just knew I had to make it. I had to follow my heart."

Beautiful. And also ... horrible. How could a church put a man on trial for loving his son? For putting his kid's needs before his own? Isn't that what being a parent, and being a good person, is all about? Selflessness? Kindness? Love?

The fact that a good person like Schaefer could be out of a job for deciding to stand by his child is sickening and, quite honestly, something that seems like it dates back to the 1800s. There ought to be more pastors like him, not less. This is a man who decided to deviate from the archaic, group thinking in order to put what's right and, more importantly, love first. People should look to him as an example, not as someone who did something wrong. 

Hopefully, Rev. Schaefer won't lose his job, because it sounds like the church needs him more than he needs it. And if he does, I'm sure he has faith that things will work out. At least he can rest easy knowing he has his family's love.

What do you think of this?

Image via Phil Whitehouse/Flickr

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Terrorists Storm Mall in Kenya Murdering Dozens, Hostages Still Being Held

zondag 22 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Michele Zipp 1 hour ago

At least 10 terrorists believed to be part of Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al Qaeda, have stormed the luxurious Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya on a murderous spree with a reported mission of killing Westerners. The images coming out from witnesses of this massacre are terrifying and you should prepare yourself before viewing them. There is blood everywhere. An escalator filled with young people hands all in the air with a look that they aren't sure if the men with guns are trying to kill them or protect them. One mother with a look of sheer terror on her face lying on the floor trying to shield her baby and child. A family holding hands trying to escape. Another mother running cradling her infant in her arms as fully armored military try to keep the area secure. 

The standoff is not over and so far 59 people are dead, and over 175 injured. There are 30 hostages still being held inside the mall that has been terrorized for more than a day.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta is grieving not only for his people, but his nephew and his fiancee were killed in the attack. "They shall not get away with their despicable, beastly acts," he said of the terrorists. "Like the cowardly perpetrators now cornered in the building, we will punish the masterminds swiftly and indeed very painfully."

It is believed 10 to 15 members of the Somalian-based Al-Shabaab group stormed the mall from different entry points and began their bloody killing spree. They have now all met up in one part of the mall and have with them about 30 hostages. There were over 1,000 people who managed to escape. This is the deadliest attack in the area since Al Qaeda bombed the US Embassy there in 1998, which killed 213 people.

The mall is a very popular weekend spot for shoppers and those looking to relax with a cup of coffee. It looks like any large mall found all over America with over 80 stores and a movie theater, and it's exactly the type of tactic terrorists look for -- striking fear in people and making them feel they cannot do everyday things like go out with their family on a weekend.

It has been reported that one of the terrorists is a white woman, and it was suggested it could be infamous Al-Shabaab-affiliated "White Widow" Samantha Lewthwaite. A CNN terrorist analyst feels that would be unlikely. "Typically these groups are misogynist. Their view is the woman should be in a home and shrouded in a body veil," Peter Bergen said. But officials aren't ruling anything out. 

The group responsible has sent out tweets, one reading: "The Mujahideen are still strong inside #Westgate Mall and still holding their ground."

Kenyan officials have also brought in Israeli special forces to help. We're keeping a close eye on this story and hoping there aren't any more casualties.

Does this make you fear going to the mall or doing any other kind of every day things?

Image via RT/Youtube

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

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Mom's Guide Dog Saves Her Baby From Being Hit by a Car

zaterdag 21 september 2013

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Mary Fischer 20 hours ago

Mom Jessica Crowley is thanking her lucky stars after her guide dog saved her baby's life by pushing his stroller out of the way of a car that was heading straight for it.

Jessica is registered blind, and her black lab, Jet, has been by her side for five years. While getting ready to cross the street pushing her son Jacob's stroller, she heard the screech of a car coming in their direction. And just before it hit, Jet broke loose from Jessica's grip and knocked the stroller out of the way. It did fall over and the baby wound up with a cut on his lip, but if it weren't for Jet's quick actions, something much worse could have happened.

Jessica says that Jet loves little Jacob as if he were her own, which is evident based on how she reacted when she realized he was in danger. Who says a dog can't have mama bear instincts -- even if a human baby is the one she's trying to protect? It's amazing how even though she's trained to assist Jessica, she immediately switched gears and came to Jacob's rescue.

I'm sure this mom keeps replaying what happened over and over again in her mind -- I know I would if my son had almost been hit by a car. And I don't know how I'd ever be able to give that dog enough love and praise to thank her for what she did -- though something tells me dogs do what they feel is right without expecting anything much in return.

What a blessing it is that Jessica had Jet with her that day. I'm sure every time she hears her sweet baby boy's voice, she's once again reminded of what a gem of a dog she has in her life!

Is your dog protective of your baby?

Image via Martin Pettitt/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Fischer

is the writer behind The Mommyologist, and the mom of a future famous comedian. Her current loves include Pinot Grigio on ice and Harry Styles -- in that order.

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