Dr. Johnson Varkey, a respected biology professor and devout Christian, has been shockingly dismissed from his teaching position at St. Philip’s College, San Antonio, after a twenty-year service of exemplary performance. His lawyers at the First Liberty Institute assert that his abrupt firing in January is due to his consistent instruction of well-established biological facts, which align with his faith and have now been dubbed as “offensive” by certain students.
Reports claim that Varkey, who also serves as a pastor and Christian radio host, was accused of committing an “ethics violation” by the public community college. The alleged charges include “religious preaching,” discrimination against homosexuals and transgender individuals, expressing pro-life sentiments, and “misogynistic banter.”
His legal team, however, vehemently denies these claims, asserting that Varkey had always maintained a professional approach in class, keeping his personal beliefs separate. He taught human biology just as he has done for the past two decades.
The legal team’s letter dated June 20 alleges that the college’s actions have infringed on Varkey’s rights to free speech and religious freedom, threatening legal action unless Varkey is reinstated.
Ironically, the college’s accusation that Varkey’s teachings were “offensive” and exceeded the limits of “academic freedom” seems to undermine the very essence of these notions. Keisha Russell, a counsel for First Liberty Institute, has expressed her outrage at the situation: “It’s absurd that after over 20 years of teaching, St. Philips would dismiss Dr. Varkey for presenting fundamental, universally accepted biology. The college blatantly violated Dr. Varkey’s constitutional and statutory rights when it fired him, and it must immediately reinstate him.” This outrageous act of suppression should serve as a wake-up call to anyone who values truth, academic freedom, and the integrity of our educational institutions.
