Free And Open Inquiry?

Glenn Beck's "The Blaze" website brings us a curious case of "intercultural communications:"

Ryan Rotela, a junior at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), is waging a bizarre allegation against his professor, Dr. Deandre Poole.

The student is claiming that he’s been suspended from his intercultural communications class for refusing to write “JESUS” on a sheet of paper, throw it on the floor and then stomp on it — a request that the instructor apparently made.

If you’re already scratching your head, you’re not alone. The curious claim caught the attention of WPEC-TV, a South Florida CBS affiliate.

Rotela, a devout Mormon, says he refused to participate in the purported activity and told Poole that he found the request offensive.

The school's response?

“Faculty and students at academic institutions pursue knowledge and engage in open discourse. While at times the topics discussed may be sensitive, a university environment is a venue for such dialogue and debate.”

Okay, if that constituted "the pursuit of knowledge" under conditions of "open discourse," let's try this:

• Write MUHAMMAD on a piece of paper.
• Lay the paper on the floor.
• Stomp on it.

Go ahead, Dr. Poole. I'm sure the reactions will be...interesting. The videocameras are cocked and ready to record.

What's that? You have no interest in doing any such thing? But why not? Yes, it's a "sensitive topic," but it's surely no great distance from what Mr. Rotela objected to. Did someone forbid you to conduct such an experiment in "intercultural communications?" Despite the university's stated commitment to "the pursuit of knowledge" and "open discourse?" Who, pray tell? And what was his rationale?

Clearly, some items of "knowledge" are deemed more worthy of "pursuit" than others.