I have a subversive idea. Let's promote chastity as a viable lifestyle.
 :idea: :idea: :idea:

Question?  Is this Dr. Jill, is she very obese?  There was a group of about 50 who had a meeting on the east coast, who were pushing for teaching just what you said.  This group was endorsing sex with anyone from age  newborn and anything.  And this lady was given a place to teach in a so-called catholic university.  I think this was several years ago.  I can't recall how I saw this woman if it was on TV or on a youtube.

I think it is up to us to promote decency and virtue.

I know, right?

I think it is up to us to promote decency and virtue.

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — A group of gαy university alumni and allies is challenging the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, over its inclusion of ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity in its course on “deviant behavior.”

The group, gαy 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.”

But according to the University, the principles of academic freedom apply to the course and that “ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ acts are intrinsically disordered.”

At issue is this course on “Deviant Behavior,” found on Franciscan University’s active course offerings listed on its website:

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, ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity, 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 gαy 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 gαy 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 gαy 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 ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity as a disorder or form of deviant behavior. All major professional mental health organizations have gone on record to affirm that ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity is not a mental disorder or deviant behavior. The continued classification of ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity 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 ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ behavior is not deviant,” but added that principles of academic freedom apply to the course and that the view that ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity is deviant is a legitimate perspective for the course.

While critics of the university are “entitled to their opinion that their understanding of ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ 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 gαy people should be treated with respect and dignity, “ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law.”

Backstage inside the Fine Arts Building at Gloucester County College, George Neff is busy getting a few stars of the show ready to take the stage.

“I’m in the middle of dressing them right now,” said Neff, owner of Dr. Neff’s Incredible Puppet Co. in Monroeville. “They have to make quick changes.”

These stars just happen to be puppets. And in order for them to be show-ready, they have to be fully clothed.

Well, at least for some of the time.

This is “Avenue Q” we’re talking about.

“I like to call it ‘Sesame Street’ on Viagara,” said Rose Gruber, theater director. “At least, that’s my interpretation of the show.”

For the off-Broadway production in New York City, there are several different puppets of the same character dressed in different costumes, Gruber said. So they can easily switch out puppets from scene to scene.

“We have to change their clothes a few times,” she said.

It’s a small price to pay to be the first in the region to perform “Avenue Q” — at the college Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23 — and it’s a first that Gruber has been anticipating for a couple of years now.

“I wanted to be the first. They said they would release the rights to the show in the spring of 2013, and I jumped right on it,” Gruber said.

A Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Score and Book, “Avenue Q” tells the story of Princeton, a recent college grad who moves to Avenue Q where he goes on a journey of self-discovery. An adult musical, this is also the first show put on by Gloucester County College that comes with a disclaimer.

If you go



Avenue Q
Gloucester County College

When: Thursday, March 21 at 8 p.m., Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Fine Arts Building at Gloucester County College, 1400 Tanyard Road, Deptford.

Tickets: $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 856-415-2139.


Must be 15 years old to attend
“You have to be 15 years old to attend,” Gruber said. “There is a high school version of the show. But, I thought, ‘We’re in college, so why not do the real version, curses and all.’”

For the real version of this innovative musical, puppet training — and puppets — were needed.

George Neff and his wife Ann were hired to train the cast to operate the puppets.

“They did puppet training one night a week for a few hours,” said Gruber.

At first, the couple was going to make the puppets as well. But Neff, who taught the art of puppetry at Rowan University for several years, didn’t think they would have the time to do both, so he reached out to one of his former students, Patrick Ahearn.

“They didn’t want to take on that big of a project,” Ahearn said.

So Ahearn — an adjunct professor at Rowan since 1990 — decided to tackle the job himself.

And it wasn’t easy.

“It took me six weeks to make them and it was a lot less time than I should’ve spent on them,” he said. “I literally stayed in and just worked on the puppets. I never left the house.”

In all, there are three Princetons, three Kate Monsters, two Rods, two Nickys, two Trekke Monsters, two Lucys, one girl Bad Idea Bear and one boy Bad Idea Bear. Ideally, Ahearn wants to make a few more copies.

“The idea was that I’d make them for this show and keep them to rent them out,” he said.

Ahearn made practice puppets for the cast to train with, but when they saw the real versions, they were blown away.

“They really loved them,” Ahearn said.

Why not do the real version, curses and all
For the actors in the show, getting the puppetry part down was also a lot of fun — and a bit tough, too.

“You don’t realize how much work goes into working the puppets,” said Mandy DiPietro, of Washington Township, who plays Lucy the Slut in the musical. “Sometimes, I’d go home and my arms would hurt for days.”

Before tackling the show, Gruber and the Neffs took a trip to see it in the Big Apple. While there, they ended up getting a backstage tour.

“We learned a lot about the show from the tour,” Gruber said. “Helpful things.”

The puppets — “very similar” to the ones in New York’s “Avenue Q” — have their differences, Gruber said.

“Because of copyright issues, we had to change some of the colors of the puppets,” she said.

But they really do look like the originals. Made out of a poly foam and covered in a durable fleece material, Ahearn “died them in his bathtub” to get the different colors.

The puppet costumes — a few were purchased — were made by Ann Neff.

There are also three human roles in the musical: Christmas Eve, Gary Coleman — traditionally played by a woman — and Brian.

Brian, a human in “Avenue Q,” played by Sid Maycock, of Williamstown, loved the musical so much he attended puppet training anyway.

“I was so excited. This is probably my favorite musical. I just had to go to puppet training,” he said.

And one cast member in the show, college librarian Anna Kehnist, said it was her dream to work with the Neffs.

“I was a library science major at Rowan and I always wanted to take Dr. Neff’s puppet class,” she said. “But it was always full.”

Her enthusiasm for puppetry ended up helping her get a puppet of her own to operate.

“I was supposed to be Trekke’s second arm and I ended up with a part,” she said.

“And she’s thrilled to be able to use profanity,” Gruber added with a laugh.

In the home stretch now, Gruber did say getting the rights to stage “Avenue Q” didn’t go as smoothly as she would’ve liked.

“There was a little bit of a battle,” she said. “Apparently, in order to get the rights of the show you have to be 100 miles from New York City, where it’s currently playing off-Broadway.”

The college is actually 94 miles away.

“They debated about it for a little while, but they eventually gave it to us,” she said.


Contact Kristie Rearick at 856-845-3300 or krearick@southjerseymedia.com

A Harvard University student club is hosting a satanic black mass on May 12 to be staged by The Satanic Temple.
The Cultural Studies Club characterizes the event as a “reenactment” to be “performed” by The Satanic Temple, but reportedly, the group has obtained and will be using a Consecrated Eucharistic Host – making the event as real as it gets as far as the Catholic Church is concerned.

The Black Mass is “a magical ceremony and inversion or parody of the Catholic Mass that was indulged in ostensibly for the purpose of mocking God and worshipping the devil; a rite that was said to involve human sacrifice as well as obscenity and blasphemy of horrific proportions.”

According to their website, the Satanic Temple’s mission is “to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people.” How mocking the Catholic Church accomplishes that is anyone’s guess.

Campus Reform reports that the Cultural Studies Club at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education hosted a “History of Satanic Worship” with academics and practicing Satanists, last year.

A skeptical Elizabeth Scalia of Patheos, double-checked with Priya Dua, of The Satanic Temple’s Public Relations office for confirmation on the use of a Consecrated Host. Dua confirmed in an e-mail that “yes, they have obtained and will use a Consecrated Host during this ‘re-enactment”‘

Questions remain on how the Host was obtained, and why they would use a Consecrated, as opposed to unconsecrated Host.

As the only source about the use of a Consecrated Host comes from The Satanic Temple itself, it is entirely possible that the group is not being honest and is trying to create a buzz for attention.

The Harvard Extension School has issued the following statement:

An independent student organization, the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club, plans to host a controversial student event involving a historical reenactment of a black mass ceremony that has a narrator providing historical context and background.



Students at Harvard Extension School, like students at colleges across the nation, organize and operate a number of independent student organizations, representing a wide range of student interests.


Harvard Extension School does not endorse the views or activities of any independent student organization. But we do support the rights of our students and faculty to speak and assemble freely.


In this case, we understand that this independent student organization, the Cultural Studies Club, is hosting a series of events–including a Shinto tea ceremony, a Shaker exhibition, and a Buddhist presentation on meditation–as part of a student-led effort to explore different cultures.
Nowhere in the statement is the use of a real Consecrated Host addressed.

UPDATE:

Clarification from The Satanic Temple: The Host will not be consecrated.

A spokesperson from The Satanic Temple sent Deacon Greg Kandra (who has been following this story for his blog, The Deacon’s Bench), the following email:

I am writing on behalf of The Satanic Temple to relay that there will NOT be a consecrated host at the Black Mass. This was a miscommunication on our part and want to let you know that we respect all religions and don’t want anyone to feel offended. We understand the powerful role that the Eucharist plays in the Christian religion and in no way want to appear as though we don’t respect your traditions.

 
10 Most Controversial College Courses on Human sɛҳuąƖity
February 21st, 2012 by Staff Writers

Americans notoriously share a bizarrely dichotomous relationship with human sɛҳuąƖity. They love breasts, butts, and babymakin’, but simultaneously seem to relish in condemning them whenever the opportunity arises. That’s another sociology discussion for another day, though. Unsurprisingly, this oxymoronic proclivity means the minute a college launches a human sɛҳuąƖity course, no matter how scientifically minded, somebody complains. Some classes manage to conjure up more controversy than others, however, whether because of methods, real or perceived support of the LGBT community/birth control/abortion/another controversial issue, or something else entirely. Take the following, for example.

Indiana University
The fact that human sɛҳuąƖity classes even exist in the first place is almost exclusively because of the efforts of zoologist Alfred Kinsey. Taught under the guise of a marriage preparation course, the pre-eminent sexologist set about learning everything he could about what Americans do when they think nobody’s looking (or, in some cases, when they absolutely know someone is!). Moral guardians, of course, raged over the course’s straightforward approach to all things sɛҳuąƖ “” even when presented within the context of matrimonial bliss. Students, wittingly and unwittingly, provided him with case studies for looking at sex scientifically, which, up to that point, had never really been done on such a large scale. These days, some ethical questions about his methods swirl about, but that doesn’t change his pioneer status any.

Northwestern University
Northwestern human sɛҳuąƖity professor J. Michael Bailey saw his course canned after an optional after-class session resulted in a national popping of monocles and clutching of pearls. The students, all above the age of 18, knew exactly what the festivities entailed and could refrain from attending without any penalty to their grade, but demonstrating sex toys unsurprisingly offended some people in the community. In fact, Huxton, Tenn.’s Community Baptist Church completely rejected Northwestern University volunteers for no reason other than Professor Bailey’s extracurricular lessons. The incident in question involved showing off the capabilities of the “f—saw” on a live, fully consenting woman, which Bailey considers a real component of human sɛҳuąƖity and therefore, a reasonable topic for the class.

Occidental College
The Phallus, unlike most human sɛҳuąƖity courses, isn’t psychological or biological in its scope, but rather socially analytical. All things penis and its relationship with the LGBTQ community (yes, even lesbians), minorities, feminism, and other societal components provide the core curriculum. While one would expect the outcry to come from the various and no-doubt divisive opinions within Professor Jeffrey Tobin’s class, the reality stands as a little broader than that. People don’t want it taught because it’s about men’s no-no bits, which are often seen as shameful and offensive by certain groups. Critics most often chide it as “politically correct” claptrap when they aren’t averting their eyes and surreptitiously peeking through their fingers.

Brown University
Every semester since 2003, Brown University hosts the The Female sɛҳuąƖity Workshop (also known as FemSex) and its masculine equivalent MSex. The class “” for which students do not receive credit “” was actually imported from Berkeley, where the initiative launched in 1993 to far less consternation than its Rhode Island predecessor. FemSex offers up a safe, nonjudgmental space for frank, thoroughly educational, and positive discussions of every aspect of female sɛҳuąƖity, but some students still took to the newspapers in protest. They ridiculed it as nothing more than masturbatory fodder to titillate men, eventually accusing their advertising tactics as a form of sɛҳuąƖ harassment. MSex, it must be noted, received very little in the way of complaints or sarcastic analysis.

Western Nevada College
Professor Tom Kubisant’s human sɛҳuąƖity class at Western Nevada College asked participants to maintain journals about their own personal sɛҳuąƖ activities and growth during the semester, including masturbation rituals. Those weirded out by the idea could take on an alternative assignment reflecting on why they found discussing their private life uncomfortable with no negative impact on their grade whatsoever. Controversy erupted when failing student Karen Royce filed complaints with both the school and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Education, and the college reacted by striking one section and launching an investigation. Legions of Kubisant’s students, past and present, scurried to defend the assignment and touted how safe they felt in the fact that he never actually read anything they wrote. After the little look-see turned up nothing to substantiate Royce’s accusations of discrimination and sɛҳuąƖ harassment, he was allowed to resume teaching the course.

Seton Hall
Because of its Catholic backing, Seton Hall was forced to cancel its gαy Marriage course in fall 2010, which was to be taught by King Mott, one of the school’s rare openly gαy faculty members. John J. Myers, the Archbishop of Newark, cited the Church’s anti-LGBTQ beliefs as his reasoning for purging it from the semester’s offerings, although it was offered by the political science department as an objective analysis of the volatile issue rather than a practicuм. The Board of Reagents had different plans, however, and reinstated it shortly before the term began. To the surprise of, well, probably nobody, once the class actually started, no further controversy erupted.

University of California, Santa Barbara
Dubbed simply “Porn 101,” the controversial film studies class taught by one of Rolling Stone‘s eight most dangerous minds, Constance Penley has found itself on the receiving end of ire from the likes of Santa Barbara County Citizens Against Pornography and Pat Robertson. Penly considers adult films a legitimate genre, one which undoubtedly left (and continues to leave) a significant mark on American culture. Critics of the class paint it as a celebration of porn even though the professor says she genuinely wishes to challenge students to ponder porno’s overall sociological and artistic impact.

City College of San Francisco
Rather than a controversial class on human sɛҳuąƖity, City College of San Francisco offers an entire department composed of classes that many find terrifying to their sensitivities. Or found, rather, as these days LGBT Studies departments are a little more common and a lot more respected than they were back in 1978. It all started with English professor Dan Allen’s LGBT literature course and expanded through to Dr. Jack Collins and his fusing together of several courses to create a unique program. While these days such a move would be considered “progressive,” at the time CCSF was downright revolutionary. And, of course, highly contested from outside critics. These days, the department overlaps with numerous others for a diverse educational experience.

George Washington University
Although vouched for by hundreds of former and then-current human sɛҳuąƖity students, a George Washington University professor eventually lost his job thanks to one student’s negative evaluation of his chosen methods. After spring 2005, the highly popular Michael Shaffer faced a sɛҳuąƖ harassment accusation because his class involved media featuring nudity and other “explicit” materials, talks of pubic hair, prophylactic distribution, and detailed student stories. Like Tom Kubisant at Western Nevada College, many who had taken the course immediately ran to his defense and declared how safe and educated they felt in his course. However, this support did not convince GWU from ultimately deciding to not renew the professor’s contract, though the school continued offering a class in human sɛҳuąƖity under different tutelage.

University of California, Los Angeles
Rush Limbaugh thinks Queer Musicology is offered as a UCLA major, when in actuality it’s merely a class. But egregious research failures or not, that doesn’t mean he and his acolytes don’t enjoy holding the course up as an example of what’s wrong with academia and America. In reality, the course focuses on theories regarding ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖs processing music differently than their heterosɛҳuąƖ peers. Beyond the realm of delicate moral outrage over anything beyond straightness, music theorists with no qualms with the LGBTQ community hold a few criticisms about the slowly swelling field as well. Specifically, they don’t think sɛҳuąƖity holds any real sway over how the mind registers rhythms and melodies. As the cliché goes, however, time will tell whether these conjectures hold true.

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