University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs [UPDATED]

The concepts of academic freedom and tolerance apparently don't apply to Catholics who take their Faith seriously:

URBANA, Ill. -- The University of Illinois has fired an adjunct professor who taught courses on Catholicism after a student accused the instructor of engaging in hate speech by saying he agrees with the church's teaching that homosexual sex is immoral.

The professor, Ken Howell of Champaign, has taught at the university for nine years. He says his firing violates his academic freedom.

A professor at the university who is also president of the American Association of University Professors agrees. Cary Nelson says teachers are allowed to express their own beliefs.

University spokeswoman Robin Kaler declined comment because Howell's firing is a personnel issue.

The student had a friend register his complaint and has remained anonymous.

My Comments:
This should be a slam dunk First Amendment case for an organization like the Thomas More Law Center.


UPDATE
My friend Don McClarey, a University of Illinois grad, has MUCH more on this story over at The American Catholic.