terrorist from any country blows up innocent children in a school--you're saying that I should hold his beliefs, values, and behaviors on the same level as mine, when I think life is sacred? And because I don't hold and endorse his beliefs on the same level, I'm judgmental and intolerant? That's not how it works."
"That's a good example of what I mean. Look at what you've just done. You have racially profiled terrorists. I think that you're phobic against Arabs and Russians!"
"Whoa! Just a minute, Archer. Because I have strong opinions and convictions that differ from what you believe, that makes me phobic? Is that the game? When I have a different viewpoint, you begin to call me names?"
By now both Murphy and Fallworth were standing.
"You're fanatically phobic on certain issues!" Fallworth exclaimed.
Murphy quashed his desire to suggest that they go outside to settle the issue. Get control, Murphy. Don't escalate it 114 any more. A soft answer turns away wrath. He took a deep breath.
"I used Arab and Russian terrorists as an illustration. It was not a put-down of particular groups of people. Those examples are current on television and in the newspapers. You don't read about Eskimo or Polynesian terrorists, do you? I think that tolerance and political correctness have become twisted. Disagreement with someone's beliefs and behaviors is not intolerance, it is discernment and conviction. If we didn't have that, we would have everyone thinking the same way."
"That would be nice for a change rather than your bigoted opinions."
"And who determines which way to think or believe, Archer? Is it you? If anyone disagrees with you, do we then call out the thought police and put them in jail? If we are to hold everyone's beliefs and behaviors on the same level and become tolerant and accepting of them, why don't you hold my opinions on the same level as yours? Why aren't you tolerant of them? Why must I give up what I believe and only approve what you believe in? Don't you see a double standard here? Isn't Preston University a place where ideas are shared and free speech is allowed?"
"Of course free speech is allowed, but not hate speech. Not fanaticism."
"I think you've lost it, Archer. Having convictions, values, and moral standards does not equal fanaticism."
"That's the point. You think you have a corner on truth. You're not sensitive to other people's feelings, nor are you being inclusive of their beliefs."
115
Murphy could see that they were just going in a circle so he reverted to his usual tactic when frustrated and under verbal attack. He asked a question. "So, what's the bottom line, Archer? What do you want from me?"
"I want your hate speech to end. Your conservative, right-wing, phobic fundamentalist beliefs are disruptive to this university. Christianity should be saved for church; it has no place in the classroom."
"Let me follow your logic. You're equating hate speech with Christianity. And it's okay to use hate speech in the church, but not in the classroom. Am I to assume that you don't see your views as hate speech toward the ideas and beliefs of Christians?"
Fallworth ignored the question. "Murphy, I'd like to see your idiotic archaeology class removed from the school curriculum entirely."
"Well, Archer, I have about a hundred and fifty students who are excited about the class. I don't hear any of them complaining about it. The only complaints come from you, and you haven't attended any of my lectures recently. So much for intellectual honesty."
"Do you know who you're talking to?"
"Yes, I think so. I think I'm talking to a person who had a bad religious experience at some time in his life and is hurt and angry about it. Or maybe you have some moral issues that you are struggling with. It's been my experience that when emotions are out of control for the event going on... something else is going on."
"We're through talking, Murphy. Just remember what I said; your job may depend upon it."
"Is that a
"That's a good example of what I mean. Look at what you've just done. You have racially profiled terrorists. I think that you're phobic against Arabs and Russians!"
"Whoa! Just a minute, Archer. Because I have strong opinions and convictions that differ from what you believe, that makes me phobic? Is that the game? When I have a different viewpoint, you begin to call me names?"
By now both Murphy and Fallworth were standing.
"You're fanatically phobic on certain issues!" Fallworth exclaimed.
Murphy quashed his desire to suggest that they go outside to settle the issue. Get control, Murphy. Don't escalate it 114 any more. A soft answer turns away wrath. He took a deep breath.
"I used Arab and Russian terrorists as an illustration. It was not a put-down of particular groups of people. Those examples are current on television and in the newspapers. You don't read about Eskimo or Polynesian terrorists, do you? I think that tolerance and political correctness have become twisted. Disagreement with someone's beliefs and behaviors is not intolerance, it is discernment and conviction. If we didn't have that, we would have everyone thinking the same way."
"That would be nice for a change rather than your bigoted opinions."
"And who determines which way to think or believe, Archer? Is it you? If anyone disagrees with you, do we then call out the thought police and put them in jail? If we are to hold everyone's beliefs and behaviors on the same level and become tolerant and accepting of them, why don't you hold my opinions on the same level as yours? Why aren't you tolerant of them? Why must I give up what I believe and only approve what you believe in? Don't you see a double standard here? Isn't Preston University a place where ideas are shared and free speech is allowed?"
"Of course free speech is allowed, but not hate speech. Not fanaticism."
"I think you've lost it, Archer. Having convictions, values, and moral standards does not equal fanaticism."
"That's the point. You think you have a corner on truth. You're not sensitive to other people's feelings, nor are you being inclusive of their beliefs."
115
Murphy could see that they were just going in a circle so he reverted to his usual tactic when frustrated and under verbal attack. He asked a question. "So, what's the bottom line, Archer? What do you want from me?"
"I want your hate speech to end. Your conservative, right-wing, phobic fundamentalist beliefs are disruptive to this university. Christianity should be saved for church; it has no place in the classroom."
"Let me follow your logic. You're equating hate speech with Christianity. And it's okay to use hate speech in the church, but not in the classroom. Am I to assume that you don't see your views as hate speech toward the ideas and beliefs of Christians?"
Fallworth ignored the question. "Murphy, I'd like to see your idiotic archaeology class removed from the school curriculum entirely."
"Well, Archer, I have about a hundred and fifty students who are excited about the class. I don't hear any of them complaining about it. The only complaints come from you, and you haven't attended any of my lectures recently. So much for intellectual honesty."
"Do you know who you're talking to?"
"Yes, I think so. I think I'm talking to a person who had a bad religious experience at some time in his life and is hurt and angry about it. Or maybe you have some moral issues that you are struggling with. It's been my experience that when emotions are out of control for the event going on... something else is going on."
"We're through talking, Murphy. Just remember what I said; your job may depend upon it."
"Is that a
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