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STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — A group of gay university alumni and allies is challenging the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, over its inclusion of homosexuality in its course on “deviant behavior.”
The group, Gay Alumni and Allies of Catholic Universities, said that Franciscan University, a conservative Catholic institution on the Ohio-West Virginia border, is “contributing” to a “culture of hate and ignorance” by teaching “ideological falsehoods in the classroom rather than solid, proven research and evidence.”
Franciscan University
But according to the University, the principles of academic freedom apply to the course and that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”
At issue is this course on “Deviant Behavior,” found on Franciscan University’s active course offerings listed on its website:
SWK 314
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR focuses on the sociological theories of deviant behavior such as strain theory, differential association theory, labeling theory, and phenomenological theory. The behaviors that are primarily examined are murder, rape, robbery, prostitution, homosexuality, mental illness, and drug use. The course focuses on structural conditions in society that potentially play a role in influencing deviant behavior. (Emphasis added.)
3 credit hours
The group, which has no official connection to Franciscan University and initially identified itself as “Franciscan Gay Alumni & Allies,” issued a statement last week condemning the course, and asking the University to revise its curriculum.
Despite more than 25 years of solid mainstream scholarship in the fields of psychology, social work, and mental health demonstrating the psychological health of gay and lesbian individuals, Franciscan University continues to teach otherwise, allowing pseudo-science to be taught at an accredited university.
To classify the normal day-to-day life of gay and lesbian citizens as being on par with that of murderers, rapists, and prostitutes is offensive, untrue, and an example of religious ideology being allowed to trump the scientifically demonstrated truth of the matter.
The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) does NOT include homosexuality as a disorder or form of deviant behavior. All major professional mental health organizations have gone on record to affirm that homosexuality is not a mental disorder or deviant behavior. The continued classification of homosexuality as deviant behavior is rejected by the overwhelming majority of the professional psychological community and by many Catholic theologians.
But in response, the group said it received only a “cease and desist” notice by the University’s General Counsel, Adam E. Scurti, advising the group that it had “no right to use the Name of Franciscan University, its logo or any other reference to the University” in any of its activities.
The alumni group has since dropped the words “Franciscan University” from its name, but continues to ask why the course is being described or taught in that manner.
Daniel R. Kempton, vice president for academic affairs, in a statement responding to Inside Higher Ed, said that some materials used in the course “present the view that homosexual behavior is not deviant,” but added that principles of academic freedom apply to the course and that the view that homosexuality is deviant is a legitimate perspective for the course.
While critics of the university are “entitled to their opinion that their understanding of homosexual behavior is scientifically confirmed and thus should be imposed on all universities, we respectfully disagree,” he said.
Kempton quoted Catechism of the Catholic Church as saying that while gay people should be treated with respect and dignity, “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law.”
Filed under: Ohio
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What are they saying about priests raping young boys I wonder? The Catholic Church needs to go the way of the DoDo Bird.
I hope priests are also included – those are some sick MF’s
*dislike* Wow…no matter if it is 1690, 1990 or 2190..people just cant grow a brain and except love as love.
Catholicism is DEVIANT behavior.
omg hope they go over pedophile behavior
deviant behavior?
What do you expect from a place owned by a church. They most likely also teach that pseudo science creationism
These people seriously need to find a hobby
You do realize some Catholics are nice, right? It’s just the hierarchy that’s a pain in the arse.
Does anyone even know what deviant behavior is? It’s something out of the norm. Technically, homosexuality is deviant, because it is different. That’s not saying it’s bad, it’s saying different that normal. Maybe one day, it won’t be thought of as deviance, but we’re still at the point where it is. Go to college, if you think this is so bad.
Deviant? they have so much sh__ to clean up. I wonder what they are calling thoses priest
The deserve to lose their accreditation.
Attaway, RC Franciscan University! And, oh, yeah, btw, the earth IS flat. And Galileo is a damn heretic for saying the earth revolved AROUND the sun because you guys arrested him until he died a broken man. WTG . . . !! Oh, but, let’s not mention the decades — or was it centuries?? — of sexual abuse perp’d upon innocent children as well as the intentional and unconscionable cover-up from the Vatican (on down around the globe) of sexual abuse of innocent children which allowed the sexual abuse to continue ad nauseum. But we shan’t mention it, ok?
Are they offering a class how to recognize when a minor is seducing an adult priest?
Yes, and by Mr. Magwood’s definition (which is scientifically correct and socially incorrect) Catholicism is a deviant practice. Go figure.
Deviant? wow a new word for all of us lol. im impressed!
Really? Mmmm how many issues have the Catholic Church had with child molesters …. But WE ARE DEVIANT! Whatever
Sounds like that group should call themselves “Gay Alumni & Allies F U”… as Franciscan University deserves that ridicule. Ha ha ha!
Hope there psyche. Dept. has read the DSM$ which is the up dated version. Went to Iona in 1989 and they used it. I guess the Archdiocese of Ohio is about 35 years behind.
who cares what the catholic church does…. I sure don’t….
they sure have room to talk…for years hiding sex offenders..and its there own priest…nothing like have a two sided sword
I am officially no longer Catholic. The Catholic church is full of shit.. sorry, but they are… I love and believe in God and have seen his miracles in my own life, but I know he didn’t hate my gay son… he created him exactly as intended… These religions are cults… sickening… p;reaching love and spreading evil and hate…
There is No End to the Ignorant and Arrogant behavior of the Roman Catholic Church!!!!
P.S. Apparently being a paedophile priest is OK….. :0
I wonder if they include celebacy in the same category….
I am proud to be a deviant… not because I am bisexual but because deviant is ANYTHING outside what is considered normal. Deviant is not bad… unless it is somehow harmful to another being.
Disgusting that they would adopt a clinical approach to this when the behavior is against their theology. If Catholics want to be anti-gay that’s their right, but they deserve to be called out for promoting this damaging, bigoted POV in a pseudo-scientific context. Shame!
well, hello 1950! it’s been a while!
Oh catholicism, I hate you
They will go to hell for blasphemy.
why is this a surprise?
i guess the catholic church hasnt paid to much attention to science lately
My step-dad is actually going to that university, and he has to take all of these stupid religion classes. He’s going to be a nurse practitioner, not a preacher…
I believe so firmly in public education because public education administrators can’t just do whatever nonsense they want.
Why wouldn’t they all these damn dick sucking priests and bishops
I wonder how much research they have devoted to the correlation between denial of natural sexual outlets for priests and sexually destructive behaviours like paedophilia? Clearly the priests are the problem, so perhaps they should be done away with? Well, maybe just let go….
Sexual behavior, whether gay or straight, is not deviant. However, behavior set against natural sexual behavior, which induces violence and injury, is wrong. While this endeavor has good intentions to educate about human sexual nature, this one is mistaken by assuming that the less common sexual behavior is wrong.
so shocking…
They need to deal with their own shit!
The Catholic church is out of touch and is neither right nor is it Christian. Christ didn’t discriminate, why should they? Their days are numbered.
Jesus Christ help us !!!
Pedophiles against Gays? Very Hypocritical.
What about a course on Catholic priests sexually molesting boys?