BYU Cracks Down on Liberal Professors | Ep. 1980

Jan 6, 2025

Brigham Young University faculty are grappling with new policies that enforce strict adherence to church teachings. Professors face job insecurity over social media activity and personal beliefs, with some losing their positions for supporting LGBTQ+ rights. The culture at BYU is shifting towards suppression of diverse thought, raising concerns about academic freedom and fear among faculty. As the university's rankings decline, discussions center on the impact of these changes and the pressing need for greater inclusivity and integrity within the institution.

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ANECDOTE

Bergman's Unease

Music professor Jason Bergman felt uneasy about the clampdown on LGBTQ+ activism at BYU.
This included shutting down rainbow displays on Y Mountain.

INSIGHT

Loyalty Oath Concerns

BYU introduced a loyalty oath contract requiring faculty to support the church's stance on social issues.
This raised concerns about implicit threats to career advancement for those who didn't sign.

ANECDOTE

Bergman's Silence and Departure

Bergman, a former bishop, feared discussing his faith struggles due to potential job repercussions.
He ultimately left BYU for Indiana University, feeling the environment wasn't safe for those outside the orthodox mold.

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A recent article from the Salt Lake Tribune showcases how the Mormon church education commissioner Clark Gilbert has implemented stringent measures to ensure that faculty members across church-affiliated institutions, including Brigham Young University and BYU-Idaho, align with the church’s teachings. Professors are now facing many hardships. Their social media posts are being audited, many are being fired for showing LGBTQ+ and feminist support, or for experiencing doubts in their Mormon beliefs. Some professors are being terminated simply because their spouse stopped believing in the church. Top scholars no longer want to apply to BYU and many professors are seeking employment elsewhere. These changes have led many to argue that this approach suppresses academic freedom and creates an environment of fear among BYU faculty members, who may feel pressured to conform to specific interpretations of Mormon church doctrinal teachings to maintain their position.Join us today as we talk in-depth about these controversies and the recent news article from the Salt Lake Tribune titled "Dark Days: BYU professors are running scared as premier LDS school steps backwards." According to the US and World News Report, BYU ranked #61 in 2017 and then dropped to #109 in 2024 out of 436 National Universities, but are these new changes going to drop the university's ranking? Join the livestream to share your own personal experiences in this regard!Link to the original article: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/01/05/byu-blue-why-these-are-dark-days/

Show Notes

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00:02:57 Biography of Clark Gilbert as the Mormon church education commissioner

00:08:22 Clip - Elder Holland calling for more musket fire

00:25:10 Clip of Oaks and Eyring comparing the church to standing the wrong way in an elevator

00:31:22 Reading the article from Salt Lake Tribune “Dark Days: New Rules…”

00:39:35 Shutting down the ability to be honest and asking the professors to be unChristlike

00:49:04 The Mormon church favors obedience over all things

00:51:44 If the church continues this way it would be less like Notre Dame and more like Liberty University

01:02:50 The four groups of BYU faculty members (the faithful core, the supportive center, the secular first and open foes)

01:13:05 The process of hiring at any Mormon church university

01:19:25 Could these specific things (LGBTQ support, criticizing Trump, being a feminist, etc) get BYU professors in trouble?

01:32:00 Are women being singled out to not be hired at BYU?

01:36:00 Spouses being required to attend in prospective hire interviews at Mormon universities

01:41:20 Creepy and Orwellian aspects of the BYU hiring practices

01:58:00 ExMormon Reddit - The firing of the BYU-Idaho employees is a warning shot to Rexburg. Support your family and risk everything

02:00:15 ExMormon Reddit - Kevin Pearson and Clark Gilbert are encouraging an orthodox, fundamentalist, approach to their responsibilities

02:10:05 Some positive comments on Clark Gilbert

02:30:17 Don’t go to BYU, do not apply or attend this university

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