Taylor University President Calls for Forums and Prayers in Response to Professor's Story of Dismissal
Taylor University President Michael Lindsay sent a message to the campus after we published the story of Professor Julie Moore
Thank you so much for responding with empathy to Professor Moore’s story. This is an unfolding situation, and I’d like to keep you up-to-date, but I need your help. Will you consider becoming a paid subscriber today?
If any institutions should model racial repentance and repair, it should be Christian ones. Not only because the Christian religion has theological resources to address broken relationships and systems, but because white Christians have so often been explicit or complicit supporters of racism.
Yet when Christian schools have the opportunity to teach their students the truth about racism and promote racial justice, many of them are now decrying such efforts as “woke,” or “CRT,” or “indoctrination.”
In the process, they are censoring and even firing their own professors in a clear violation of the norms of academic freedom.
Professor Julie Moore of Taylor University in Indiana is the latest to go public with her story of losing her job at Christian school because of her teachings on racial justice.
I posted her story in a previous Substack and in less than 24-hours it garnered tens of thousands of views, and I received dozens of comments from students, alumni, and others who expressed their support for Professor Moore and their disappointment with the administration at Taylor.
Read a few of the updates below:
Support Professor Moore
Her contract has not been renewed for the upcoming school year and she does not currently have another job lined up.
You can contribute to a GoFundMe page that a friend set up for her.
Students Start Petition in Support of Professor Moore
As is often the case, the students are leading the way in protest.
Undergraduates at Taylor University started a change.org petition in support of Professor Moore.
It reads:
We as students hope to overturn this decision. Please consider signing to help support us in getting back a teacher who teaches racial justice in a way independent of policy and personal bias (she does wonderfully at removing bias from the education), but dependent on basic human rights and facts. Julie Moore is an example of Christ-centered education.
We as students want Taylor University to be inclusive for all and a safe space for everyone. Actions like those of Jewerl Maxwell significantly impact students negatively. We don’t want to be silenced and we hope this petition can show Maxwell our true opinions on this decision.
Taylor University president, Michael Lindsay, acted swiftly once Professor Moore’s story became public via my Substack. He sent a letter to the campus on the same day I published her story.
You can read the letter at the end of this article.
I will keep you posted as I learn how the two forums he mentions go.
Listen/Watch Professor Moore in Her Own Words
In the meantime, I interviewed Professor Moore and she adds additional context and insight about her ordeal.
Listen or watch below and be sure to subscribe to my podcast and YouTube page!
Read the letter from Michael Lindsay
Dear Colleagues and Students,
Many of you have seen and asked questions about stories that were published today regarding the University’s decision not to issue a new contract to a non-tenure-track faculty member. We understand and empathize with a faculty member’s disappointment when a contract decision does not go as they had hoped. Multiple personnel factors are considered when the University decides not to renew a contract, as was the case here. We strongly disagree with what has been asserted, but we will not elaborate on specific factors because it is the University’s policy not to comment on human resource matters.
We recognize, though, that there have been questions raised for some about the University’s commitment to intercultural relations. Let me assure you that we remain fully dedicated to embracing and celebrating diversity as an intentional community striving to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which transcends all ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, and national divisions.
Within a week’s time, we will host two forums – one for faculty and staff, and one for students – to give community members a chance to engage in conversation around these issues. During these forums we will not comment on this individual personnel matter. But we will be glad to receive and respond to questions you’d like to pose about how the University seeks to honor the Lord in our approach to intercultural relations. We will share details about the time and place of these two upcoming opportunities within the next day.
In the meantime, I’d ask that you join me in praying for unity across Taylor’s campus, remembering the promise of Psalm 133:
How good and pleasant it is when we live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Sincerely,
Michael Lindsay
Disgusting but typical response for a call for prayer and unity from white supremacist Christian orgs. It’s infuriating and hypocritical. I hope the students, alums and community will hold them accountable.
Same old, same old. Calls for unity and diversity without repentance. No mention of the protocols broken or overtly political undertones.
Thank you, Jemar and Julie, for your courage.