Just as I finished writing my article on Columbia University another story appears from the opposite end of the political spectrum. In this case, Steve Bitterman claims that he was fired because some Christian students took offense to his calling the story of Adam and Eve a fairy tale. There is not much else to go on about this story other than what Mr. Bitterman claimed. The college says that the firing was for a personnel issue. From the one article it does sound like a case of Mr. Bitterman being a victim of Fundamentalist Christian intolerance, or is it?

One thing we know is the Christian beliefs are often belittled and ridiculed by Colleges today. but at the same time similar beliefs by other non-Christian religions are treated with more respect so as to not offend their practitioners. In fact in many campuses across the country people are forbidden from voicing any mention of Christian beliefs so that other people will not be offended. But when Mr. Bitterman called the story of Adam and Eve a fairy tale, would that not offend the Christians? I wonder if Mr. Bitterman or other college professors would dare to call the midnight ride of Muhammad a fairy tale? Many professors may believe that the midnight ride is also a fairy tale but I bet they would never say that in class. Instead they would probably take a more tactful approach to the subject.

I think what you are seeing hear is a back lash to the continual belittlement of Christian and Conservative values by our colleges and universities. Now I personally am more in agreement with Mr. Bitterman than I am with the Fundamental Christians in regards to Adam and Eve. But I am not an atheist. Rather I believe that there is more to these religious stories then Mr. Bitterman would give credit. I just don't take them literally.

But Mr. Bitterman and others lack of respect for Western traditions and values is creating a wedge in our society that is only going to get worse and create more conflicts. Instead of creating greater discussion and tolerance as they claim; this will lead to more hard feelings and intolerance from both the left and the right.

- Thomas Paine 2

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