Seth Barnes - University apologizes & reinstates student

In my last post I reported that a Florida Atlantic student had been suspended from class for refusing to step on the name of Jesus. Many of you responded and the good news is, your voices were heard.

The outcry was so great that the university has reversed course. The Blaze reports:

In addition to be axed from the class, Rotela was apparently told not to speak with other students and he was also faced with possible suspension or expulsion. These latter claims were predicated upon a hearing that he was slated to go through.

The university has backed down. Rotela’s lawyer, Hiram Sasser, with the conservative Liberty Institute, told Starnes that “there will be no punishment” and that the school is “wiping the record clean for Ryan.” He will apparently be continuing in the course, but will not have to deal with Poole in the process.

FAU Dean of Students Corey King also reiterated the school’s regret over the incident, apologizing and telling Starnes that there was no intent to offend.

Rotela was very thankful for the inevitable outcome, telling Starnes that he is gracious for the many Christians who called the college and made their opposition to the controversial Jesus activity known.

“I have two words — thank you,” the student said. “If it wasn’t for all the Christians and the open-minded people who decided to call the university — I would be sitting in a room getting punished, getting sanctioned from the school and getting expelled from the university.”

Thanks to those of you who spoke up. Here's the moral of the story: When you speak up, you can make a difference. So I leave you with the question, what areas of your life have you been on othe defensive? What would it mean for you to fight back?