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

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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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Being Cast as Christian Grey Is Already Turning Charlie Hunnam's Life Upside Down

vrijdag 20 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Maressa Brown 12 hours ago

Charlie Hunnam may have yet to start shooting Fifty Shades of Grey but he's already being treated like Hollywood royalty. Apparently, Universal Pictures has supplied the up-and-coming mega-star with his very own "handful of bodyguards." Uh, whaaa?!

What's next, his very own bulletproof limousine? Air Force Fifty? Eesh. It's not like the guy was just elected to public office, so what's with the amped-up security? Well, reportedly, the studio is concerned that people are going to try to swarm the poor guy -- some reports say Hunnam is already being followed by fans hoping to score his John Hancock -- so the bodyguards are meant to prevent keep the adoring crowds in line. Whoa.

And it's not just hearsay. The Hollywood Reporter notes that extra security was hired for the 33-year-old during FX's Sept. 7 Anarchy premiere in Hollywood, and it was definitely funded by Universal -- NOT FX.

In other words, the studio is doing all that they can to keep their leading man safe and comfortable amid this overnight onslaught of attention. Aww! OR they're pulling this as a publicity stunt?! You know, fake it 'til you make it. Pretend the hype is at a certain level ... until it ACTUALLY IS. OMG, crazy.

More from The Stir: Charlie Hunnam's Sexy Promise Will Thrill '50 Shades of Grey' Fans

Either way, I worry this could eaaaaasily go to Charlie's head! The guy hasn't even read his first official line in front of Sam Taylor-Johnson's camera, and he has bodyguards. Oof. You've gotta be pretty mature and secure in who you are as a person to not suddenly get a HUGE ego over something like that, huh? Thankfully, from what we know so far, Charlie seems like he can take the heat ... Which I'm sure is one of the reasons Universal brought him on-board in the first place.

What do you make of this?!

Image via Rudy Torres/Celebrity Monitor/Splash News

Click the "Like" button below if you're a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey! 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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Charlie Hunnam Confesses How He Really Feels About Playing Christian Grey (VIDEO)

vrijdag 13 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Maressa Brown 3 hours ago

Charlie Hunnam may be on top of the world right now having just nabbed the gig that could catapult him to superstardom, but he also seems to realize that with great power comes great responsibility. Ha ha, yes, the POWER -- and responsibility -- of playing Christian Grey!

The handsome actor recently spoke with On the Red Carpet about how he hopes he can do the character justice considering just how attached to him fans have grown. And believe me when I tell you that if you haven't yet warmed up to the idea of him playing Christian, this could be the gamechanger ...

Explaining where he was coming from when he was first approached and later cast for the Fifty Shades of Grey movie, Charlie said:

You know, I wasn't familiar with the material. I obviously knew of it, but I hadn't read the books myself and I was approached by the director, Samantha Taylor-Johnson, and she talked to me at great length about her intention and what she hoped to do with this film and it just got me really, really excited when I read the book. As the process progressed and it became clear that they wanted me to do it, it was just really exciting and a great honor to be entrusted with bringing this character to life. ... I mean, he's such a -- you know, he became part of the zeitgeist. He's such a loved, you know, character that's it's a real honor to be entrusted with him.

"A great honor"?! "Entrusted"?! Awww! See what I mean?! He's thoroughly, adorably grateful and seems to understand it's a really big deal that he was cast ... even if he wasn't super-familiar with the books.

He elaborated on the drawbacks of stepping into the beloved, mercurial billionaire's shoes:

I mean of course, a little bit of pressure. With literature and properties that are so well known, everybody has their own vision, you know, literature is so subjective, so that you come into it you create, as a reader, as an audience member, the character in one's own mind. So I'm never going to satisfy everyone's vision of who this guy is, but I do know and feel really confident that I have a strong take on who he is, who I think he is and can bring him to life in a really fun and exciting way.

Fun and exciting?! Whoa. Christian's never sounded hotter. This to me is the best proof yet that Charlie's going to win our hearts as the leading man. Sign me up! Really, it is no wonder Brad Pitt is backing Charlie has a whipsmart, stand-up, talented guy! He sure sounds like it to me.

Here's the clip of his interview in full ...

What do you think about Charlie's approach to playing Christian Grey?

Click the "Like" button below if you're a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey! 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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Parents Found Guilty of Killing Adopted Daughter Despite Their 'Christian' Excuse

dinsdag 10 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Kiri Blakeley 2 hours ago

Religion is no excuse for killing your child. That's the message that abusive parents Larry and Carri Williams got when they were found guilty of first-degree manslaughter when they let their adopted child, Hana, die in their backyard from starvation and hypothermia after reportedly following tactics outlined in a Christian parenting book called To Train Up a Child. Hey, just because you label something Christian doesn't mean it is. What's that saying? Lipstick on a pig is still a pig. And beating and starving your child is not Christian.

Hana was adopted from Ethiopia and believed to be about 13 years old. Hana was forced to stay in the couple's backyard -- apparently as part of cruel parenting rules that the couple got from the book. She died of hypothermia aggravated by gastritis and malnutrition. Her body was rail thin, covered in bruises, her head was shaved and lumpy, and she had evidence of physical abuse.

The Williams' defense team called this "questionable parenting practices" and said they didn't necessarily equate to a crime.

WRONG.

Horrifyingly, the couple had seven other children in their home -- all have since been removed. One of their other adopted children, Immanuel, testified that the couple beat them with belts and switches. As punishment, they were hosed down, forced to sleep in closets, and made to listen to the Bible on tape and Christian music.

The level of hypocrisy here is obscene. Christianity, like all major religions, is founded on principles of love, caring, forgiveness, and treating others as you would like to be treated. Unfortunately, religion is often perverted and those basic tenets are bent and twisted into something grotesque and far from the original idea behind them.

Religion is never an excuse for abandoning your critical thinking, compassion, and basic humanity. And the justice system recognized this. You don't get to kill someone and then say, "These were just my ways of parenting." You don't get to torture someone and say, "That's my religion."

Mankind's basic religion is kindness and do unto others. Anything that deviates from that is just perversion of religion. Unfortunately, all of this comes too late for Hana. But her death allowed the other seven children living in this hellhole to escape.

Do you ever hear people perverting the ideas of religion?

Image via KIRO7

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