Students Speak Up Against Discrimination in Universities
In my experience as one of the few conservative Christians holding a philosophy tenure at a public university, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of critical theory and intersectionality in higher education. Recently, professors from ASU’s Barrett Honors College and the English Department criticized me, calling my views a joke and suggesting I’m a careless thinker. This kind of hostility is what many face for defending their faith.
Yet, there’s a shift occurring.
I’m seeing Christian students starting to voice their opinions. They’re filing complaints and confidently incorporating Bible verses into their assignments. Notably, the university withdrew in a recent case where these students stood firm.
For instance, last week, two instructors at the University of Oklahoma faced backlash for their overt discrimination against Christian students. If even a small portion of these incidents come to light, the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) framework could start to weaken within a year. Given that polling shows around 97% of educators lean left, the current disregard for biblical principles isn’t an outlier—it’s symptomatic of a broader campus perspective.
At the core of this issue is a framework that views Christianity as a fundamental source of oppression.
Challenges Unveiling Bias
Take, for example, a straightforward psychology assignment where students were tasked with writing a 650-word reflection on gender norms and bullying. One student argued that a society promoting the idea of multiple genders harms youth, citing Genesis to frame her discussion around God’s creation of male and female.
Her well-reasoned analysis, which drew on biblical and ethical perspectives, faced criticism from her instructor. The feedback claimed her paper was filled with contradictions and personal ideology over empirical evidence.
This dismissal raises questions: How can we disregard the Bible as valid evidence while accepting works by theorists like Judith Butler or Michel Foucault? In today’s academic environment, it seems clear that scripture isn’t welcomed.
Those of us who hold Christian views have been aware of this bias for decades, often opting for self-censorship to protect our academic careers. But how did we reach this point?
The Road to This Point
The animosity towards Christianity didn’t happen overnight. It developed gradually through a specific kind of gatekeeping. Hiring practices that filtered out conservative views resulted in a faculty largely homogeneous in ideology, prompting administrators to equate biblical beliefs with bigotry. DEI initiatives have been enforcing discriminatory practices under the guise of inclusion.
It’s a classic case of ideological capture disguised as fair employment.
Christians played a part in this by equating kindness with being faithful, a concept that’s ironically absent from biblical texts. This reluctance to challenge the status quo stemmed from a desire to remain liked.
The left, deriving tactics from Marx, recasts history to spotlight sins instead of virtues, casting the Bible and its followers as oppressive figures while using shame to stifle dissent.
This approach may have worked temporarily, but the façade is starting to crumble.
Confronting the Lack of Neutrality
Many Christians have believed that universities are neutral ground, but that has never been the case.
Every institution aligns with one of two ideologies: the City of God or the City of Man. Today’s universities are managed by the latter, as outlined in Romans chapter 1.
Those who reject divine authority can’t remain neutral; they effectively preach an opposing doctrine that includes notions like:
- The Bible is oppressive.
- Christianity is damaging.
- Gender is fluid.
- Identity is self-created.
- Reality is the highest good.
- Disagreement is the greatest sin.
A new orthodoxy dominates campuses, and thankfully, students in Oklahoma have challenged this status quo.
A Turning Tide
What I find encouraging is that Christian students are no longer staying silent when faced with this discrimination. They’re filing complaints, and remarkably, the university acted in favor of a student by removing a problematic instructor.
While DEI offices may regard this as routine, viewpoint discrimination remains illegal—even in institutions with a left-leaning majority.
If this trend continues, perhaps we’ll witness a significant shift by spring break.
What Can Be Done
As someone familiar with this environment, here’s my advice:
Connect with those who speak out. We’re not as many, but we’re present, and we won’t be silent.
Prepare your children. They will encounter hostility and mockery. Equip them to respond wisely. Encourage them to ask critical questions during campus visits and ensure any DEI-related discrimination waivers are documented.
Explore alternatives. Consider trade schools, Christian colleges, apprenticeships, or online programs that provide quality education without enforced ideologies. Seek out educators who incorporate biblical texts in their curricula.
Encourage boldness. The gospel isn’t a secret to be whispered about. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.”
It’s time we reclaim that courage, both as individuals and as a community.
