St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas, has recently come under fire for reportedly firing one of its long-standing biology professors, Dr. Johnson Varkey, for teaching his students that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes. According to FOX News, the decision has sparked controversy and raised concerns about academic freedom and religious discrimination.
First Liberty Institute, a prominent law firm dedicated to defending religious liberty in America, has taken up Dr. Varkey's case and sent a letter to the community college demanding his reinstatement. The letter highlights that Dr. Varkey had been teaching the concept of sex determination through chromosomes for over 20 years without incident or complaint. First Liberty claims that he made it abundantly clear in his classes that chromosomes X and Y determine human sex and that both a male and a female must be present for reproduction to occur.
Students Walk Out of Class as Professor Faces Termination for Teaching Biology 101
The controversy surrounding Dr. Varkey's teachings came to a head on November 28, 2022, when four students walked out of his class in protest after he reiterated the widely accepted scientific view on sex determination. Subsequent complaints against Dr. Varkey alleged that he engaged in religious preaching, made discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, expressed anti-abortion rhetoric, and engaged in misogynistic banter. The college claimed that his teachings went beyond the boundaries of academic freedom and were driven by religious motivations.
However, the First Liberty Institute argues that Dr. Varkey's teachings were supported by the school-approved curriculum and scientific consensus. They assert that his religious beliefs were not imposed on students, and he never discussed his personal views on human gender or sexuality. Dr. Varkey's 22-year tenure at St. Philip's College as an adjunct professor saw him teach Human Anatomy and Physiology to more than 1,500 students, consistently adhering to the same principles for which he was terminated.
First Liberty Institute Claims Unlawful Discrimination in College's Termination of Biology Professor
The First Liberty Institute maintains that the college's decision to fire Dr. Varkey constitutes unlawful religious discrimination under the First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They contend that he was simply fulfilling his duty as a Christian and as a professor to impart accurate and scientifically supported concepts based on his years of research and study in the field of human biology.
Keisha Russell, Counsel for First Liberty Institute, expressed her disbelief at the college's actions, stating, "It is preposterous that, after teaching for more than 20 years, St. Philip's would fire Dr. Varkey for teaching basic, widely accepted biology." She further emphasized that Dr. Varkey had received exemplary performance reviews throughout his career for teaching fact-based and widely accepted science. Russell asserted that the college violated Dr. Varkey's constitutional and statutory rights when it terminated him and called for his immediate reinstatement.
The case of Dr. Johnson Varkey has ignited a debate surrounding the limits of academic freedom, the accommodation of religious beliefs in educational settings, and the potential repercussions of ideological clashes on the integrity of scientific instruction. As the controversy continues to unfold, many will closely watch the outcome, as it could set a precedent for the protection of both academic freedom and religious expression in educational institutions.
