Sarah McLaughlin

I'm in the Star Tribune with some thoughts about Hamline University's academic freedom violations and the very foolish idea of essentially instituting a blasphemy ban.

A blasphemy exception is not a narrow, reasonable cutout that protects students from "harm." Don't believe me? Just take a cursory look at what constitutes religious offense around the world.

https://www.startribune.com/banning-blasphemy-hamline-cancels-academic-freedom/600241100/

Banning blasphemy, Hamline cancels academic freedom

This decision opens Pandora's box of academic restrictions.

Star Tribune
Jan 6, 2023 at 1:49amWeb
Show threadSarah McLaughlinJan 6, 2023
I always enjoy getting feedback.
Show threadSarah McLaughlinJan 6, 2023
I’ve got people ~~~McLaughing~~~
Show threadDr. Sam WeinJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh
Truely a goal to strive for.
Show threadAdam SteinbaughJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh keep McHonking I’m McLaughing
Show threadMike SmithJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh It needs a better cadence. 4/10.
Show threadLizardJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh I have no idea what any of that means.
Show threadRandallJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh not a bad first draft, but he needs to run it by the writers room for some notes
Show threadKen WhiteJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh I mean, actually, I expected very little, but this is kind of impressive and not terrible.
Show threadSarah McLaughlinJan 6, 2023
@Popehat there was effort involved and I think we should celebrate that
Show threadbmazJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh @Popehat Yay!
Show threadDoug WarrenJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh [light snapping]
Show threadMike Masnick ✅Jan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh why can't I get feedback like that? Mine is all legal and death threats.
Show threadSarah McLaughlinJan 6, 2023
@mmasnick because you don’t get the people McLaughing, Mike
Show threadbmazJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh @mmasnick New words! Can I get a McRib with my McLaugh?
Show threadSarah McLaughlinJan 6, 2023
@bmaz @mmasnick we’re McOut
Show threadHexorgJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh they really missed it by not making this to the tune of Mr Boombastic
Show threadishotjr ✨💙✨💗✨Jan 7, 2023
@hexorg @sarahemclaugh came here to say this! 😂
Show threadThat Anonymous CowardJan 6, 2023

@sarahemclaugh

Burma Shave.

Show threadWayne's AccountJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh What the McFuck does any of that mean?
Show threadJaecJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh he reminded me this
Show threadMike Taylor 🦕Jan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh At least some effort went into it. ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯
Show threadPeaceNick🇨🇦Jan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh that's *cough* fantastic
Show threadMichał "rysiek" Woźniak · 🇺🇦Jan 6, 2023

@sarahemclaugh ah, blasphemy. The victimless crime!

Show threadWord of Mouth Jan 6, 2023

@sarahemclaugh I think we need to normalize blasphemy.

#NormalizeBlasphemy

Show threadPeter PrincipleJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh Cancel culture strikes again!
Show threadKenny SmithJan 6, 2023

It’s pretty clear no one thought through the practical ramifications of this.

Via @sarahemclaugh

Show threadWord of Mouth Jan 6, 2023

@sarahemclaugh Point out that a blasphemy ban will only invite MORE blasphemy.

For example:

"Fuck Jesus up the ass with a razor-wire-wrapped baseball bat until he dies on the cross. PONTIUS PILATE WAS RIGHT!!!!!"

Just, for example...

Show threadMickee7Jan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh Read Ken White's take on this situation today. How embarrassing for Hamline. Doubly so, as they do not even seem to realize how embarrassed they should be.
Show threadJeffrey GoldbergJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh blasphemy is a victimless crime.
Show threadLou KatzJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh The beauty of a blasphemy ban is that it is totally arbitrarily defined by the person(s) offended and is subject to change without notice. It is also without any verifiable foundation.
Show threadhammancheezJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh the only place a blasphemy charge or rule should hold any weight is inside the actual mosque/church/portapotty of that faith
Show threadSloan StudioJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh McLaughing… this should be framed and put on a wall.
Show threadStu Duerson, machina exo deusJan 6, 2023
@sarahemclaugh
While some are busy McLaughing,
Others err by continually McGaffing.
Blaspheming is easy,
And makes devouts queasy,
But risks a dungeon McRacking.
Show threadArneBabJan 6, 2023

@sarahemclaugh It would be so much fun if they actually respected the stated religion of their students for this.

I would instantly convert to Kopimism, go to online lectures, and then tell them that any mention of copyright violations being illegal is a religious offense.

„Yes, I know I’m sitting in the law class, but you cannot actually mention copyright when I’m around, so you cannot include it in the exam.“

Show threadMatt J. - WriterJan 6, 2023

@sarahemclaugh

Whoosh! It’s super-lucky these all-powerful beings have earthly thought police to stop them from being insulted a second time.

Maybe sense will prevail and we won’t have grown adults with invisible friends operating cars, weapons or political office.