Coach Brown being Coach Brown.

[SealBeachHusker]

Plus, I just read a partial transcript, he specifically said "My name is Ron Brown and I do not speak for the University of Nebraska..."

Seal, here's a video of his speaking at the Omaha City Council.









It certainly looks like the camera is rolling before he introduces himself, and he clearly does NOT say he doesn't speak for the University. I would be interested to know the source of your transcript.

Yeah, my quote was wrong, it was from a speech he gave afterwards...at a speaking engagement after the incident. Freedman event at Pershing.

But, he also doesn't claim to be speaking on behalf of University. Which explains why Perlman's reprimand only dealt with being more clear about not speaking in University capacity, but didn't reprimand him for the content, as the comments were made in a personal capacity.

And, as I pointed out, giving employment address is common at council meetings for public officials or employees who feel it might be an undue burden to have their addresses so openly shared.

[huskernut]

Yeah, my quote was wrong, it was from a speech he gave afterwards...at a speaking engagement after the incident. Freedman event at Pershing.

But, he also doesn't claim to be speaking on behalf of University. Which explains why Perlman's reprimand only dealt with being more clear about not speaking in University capacity, but didn't reprimand him for the content, as the comments were made in a personal capacity.

And, as I pointed out, giving employment address is common at council meetings for public officials or employees who feel it might be an undue burden to have their addresses so openly shared.

Fair enough. I go back to what I first said about this right afterwards. He needs to affirmatively make it clear in that kind of setting he's not speaking for the University - he's not some Joe Schmoe. Unless he does so, it is unclear. Perlman was right to set him straight on it.

That doesn't mean it has to be a big deal. Like I've said elsewhere I admire him for his positive effect on his charges, even if I don't agree with him on this. But he needs to be straight up. And he needs to say no to the national sports press when they come calling. He owes that to his employer. He can conduct his ministry (however he describes it) without putting the U in this tough position, for something that isn't remotely related to its mission.

JMHO.

[SealBeachHusker]

Yeah, my quote was wrong, it was from a speech he gave afterwards...at a speaking engagement after the incident. Freedman event at Pershing.

But, he also doesn't claim to be speaking on behalf of University. Which explains why Perlman's reprimand only dealt with being more clear about not speaking in University capacity, but didn't reprimand him for the content, as the comments were made in a personal capacity.

And, as I pointed out, giving employment address is common at council meetings for public officials or employees who feel it might be an undue burden to have their addresses so openly shared.

Fair enough. I go back to what I first said about this right afterwards. He needs to affirmatively make it clear in that kind of setting he's not speaking for the University - he's not some Joe Schmoe. Unless he does so, it is unclear. Perlman was right to set him straight on it.

That doesn't mean it has to be a big deal. Like I've said elsewhere I admire him for his positive effect on his charges, even if I don't agree with him on this. But he needs to be straight up. And he needs to say no to the national sports press when they come calling. He owes that to his employer. He can conduct his ministry (however he describes it) without putting the U in this tough position, for something that isn't remotely related to its mission.

JMHO.

I agree to some extent, but honestly believe he did not intend to be coy, and think he's pretty aware of the concerns of speaking about faith.

http://m.journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/article_5965b13a-c0e0-11df-b662-001cc4c002e0.html

"When he knows he’s going to share his faith, he said, he asks the school to make attendance optional."

And, still believe as faculty he should be afforded the same right to advocate his opinions as are professors with controversial views and ideas.

[huskerator 5000]

Why is this showing up in the national news now? Honest question. All I see in terms of recent events is Ron Brown giving a talk at a church about the role of missionaries.

[HuskerWheatie]

Professors don't represent the university. Ron Brown does. Just as Bo Pelini, Lauren Cook, Alphonso Denard and Harvey Perlman do.

Sports Illustrated doesn't call and interview them about their stance on _____. They call Ron Brown.

Yes, we do represent the university. While I am not a professor at UNL, I am a professor and I can assure that I do often represent the university and am often interviewed by various media outlets (not SI, though). An athletic coach is going to have a broader platform but both can represent the university.

[Huskers57]

Yes, we do represent the university. While I am not a professor at UNL, I am a professor and I can assure that I do often represent the university and am often interviewed by various media outlets (not SI, though). An athletic coach is going to have a broader platform but both can represent the university.

Yep.

[HuskerWheatie]

Following up your nonsense with more nonsense? Good tactic.

Actually, I don't see where what RW said is non-sense at all. The basis of morality is a very valid question and post-modernism/moral relativism creates space for a moral free-for-all. I do think there is a natural law written on our hearts, so there are some core things that most everyone would consider immoral (murder for example), but humans are great at rationalizing bad behavior and moral relativism gives them the green light to do so.

[Big Red Rick]

Lovely.

TO was a man of faith as well. He didn't go around embarrassing the university like Brown is. good man. Good coach. But he needs a filter and a lesson in "appropriate time and place".

Not quite sure how an expression of faith/belief is embarrassing to the university. I thought those places were bastions of tolerance. Am I wrong?

[wcbsas]

The first 2 paragraphs of your post were just nonsense.

And yes...Brown is entitled to do whatever he wishes. And he's also entitled to be fired for embarrassing the university.

What about the first two paragraphs are nonsense?

People express their faith-based opinions everyday and many shapes and forms. The simple act of wearing a cross is one example. In its most basic simplist form it is that no different than what Coach Brown is doing?

To your other point - how is he embarrasing the university? By articulating a belief/position that the institution doesn't support? If he is fired for that - then this is censorship - pure and simple. Let's go back to the 1920's and 1930's where workers were instructed by their employers to vote a certain way!

[Big Red Rick]

this was one of the comments ...spot on

Let's not forget University of Nebraska is a PUBLIC school. Meaning that OUR tax dollars are used to support them and all of the organizations that result. Sure he can have his own opinions considering this is America and we're free to speak our mind but as someone who's paycheck comes from the state (which is not aligned with any religion in particular) and still pushes his pseudo-"religious" remarks it's clear that he's breaking rules and needs to face devastating consequences.

That is a pretty condescending thing to say, pseudo-"religious". Three major religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism view homosexuality as a sin. There is nothing pseudo about Coach Brown's remarks. He is making them from a standpoint of faith. Once again, where is the tolerance?

[Big Red Rick]

How do you think some of the players on the team who are gay feel about this situation? this is definitely not constructive to a warm atmosphere in the locker room.

Not Brown's problem. One of the perks of being the coach. If players don't like his style, they are free to leave.

[Big Red Rick]

Did you have an issue with him leading a prayer before the PSU game?

different kind of issues. completely different.

Same issue. It was an expression of faith at a competition between two public institutions.

[Big Red Rick]

I don't necessarily disagree with his views.

But I entirely disagree with him dragging UNL into this debate.

I also entirely and emphatically disagree with a lincoln resident injecting himself into a debate in front of the city council in another city. None of his business...regardless of whether I agree with him on that topic or not.

AND...him telling the city council that they will answer to God for their votes is a weeeee bit presumptuous on his part IMO.

Usually you are spot on in these things, but in this case, I think there is a bigger picture being ignored. Officials at UNL all promote their own agenda and Ron Brown is no different. How many liberal professors are there that push a leftist agenda in the name of education? Aren't they using their position in the school to push their views?

How many professors can list their university tenure as a backing to be a subject matter expert on an issue? They are using their position to advance an agenda, but RB is somehow wrong when he does it?

[Big Red Rick]

to you maybe, not to all! so opinion rather than fact but you would like to have yours heard and not the opposing side without calling it evil....hmmmmm
do what you were hired to do Coach brown...coach.

Maybe this is for a different thread, but yes, Planned Parenthood is evil. Unless you don't think killing babies is evil. Feel free to start another thread on this topic. Not trying to threadjack.

[Huskers57]

Same issue. It was an expression of faith at a competition between two public institutions.

did he talk about homophobia/homosexual activity during his speech at Beaver Stadium? NO. There lies the difference in the 2 actions.

[Big Red Rick]

not rare at all....

who morals and whose ethicical principles?...yours?..Gods? My morals and ethics are just fine without. no worse no better than yours.

Morals and ethics cannot be relative, by design. Otherwise they are merely opinions. Maybe we are getting to the root of the problem?

Here's to another day
To solving the world's problems
In the cafe

Not quite a haiku, but it will have to do.

[Big Red Rick]

Professors don't represent the university. Ron Brown does. Just as Bo Pelini, Lauren Cook, Alphonso Denard and Harvey Perlman do.

Sports Illustrated doesn't call and interview them about their stance on _____. They call Ron Brown.

What if an assistant coach wanted to invest in a Dr. John's franchise in Lincoln...selling all sorts of adult toys, porn (gay, straight, lesbian), etc. Totally within his rights. You think the university may say "ummm...bad idea." And they'd be right.

Oh yes they do! It is up to them to determine if their students have completed the required academic load. They have been appointed by department heads and the Board of Regents to make this determination on behalf of the university.

[Big Red Rick]

Millions (billions, maybe?) of people throughout time have lived moral, upright lives without Christianity to guide them, and millions of Christians have lived perfectly depraved lives. To argue that morality is meaningless without God is complete arrogance.

Have you ever questioned why you are at a Christian seminary? I'm not being a jerk, or cute, or anything other than serious. I wonder what your problem is with Christianity when you seek to be a purveyor of it.

[ColoREDo]

Have you ever questioned why you are at a Christian seminary? I'm not being a jerk, or cute, or anything other than serious. I wonder what your problem is with Christianity when you seek to be a purveyor of it.

So you disagree with Luth? A person cannot lead a moral life without your God leading the way?

[Big Red Rick]

Beyond the theoretical first amendment challenges, I wish we could have a conversation about the rhetoric itself. It is not Coach Brown's beliefs that even many Christians find offensive, but the blunt, unfeeling, and patronizing tone with which he conveys those beliefs. At one point in the article, he doesn't just quote scripture, but he assigns intent to the Creator:



This reeks of the kind of arrogance that the bible itself warns against. He keeps digging -- actually setting up a martyr defense for the day he does go to far:



I admired the man as a high school athlete attending one of his presentations in Omaha. Several years later, he has become a tragic character to me.

I don't find him or his presentation offensive in the least. If Christians DO feel that way, maybe they need to reflect on what they believe. Mind you, those are the same folks who won't let others into their traffic lane when trying to leave their respective church services...