BYU fires instructor for supporting gay marriage

Lately we’ve been watching Brigham Young University and other religious colleges, and their treatment of students who disagree with their churches’ positions on fair laws for lesbians and gays. Today we get word from AP that the university will not rehire an instructor who supports same-sex marriage. “Not rehiring” is academese for “firing.”

BYU is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has spent millions campaigning against gay marriage. AP reports that in May the church told its members to support a constitutional amendment banning it.

The instructor in question is Jeffrey Nielsen, who teaches philosophy. In a June 4 column in the Salt Lake Tribune, he wrote: "I believe opposing gay marriage and seeking a constitutional amendment against it is immoral."