In February 2023, a theologian named Dr. Aaron Edwards took to X with a tweet. Little did he know how profoundly it would affect his life. Edwards, who formerly taught at the Methodist-run Cliff College in Derbyshire, England, wrote in his post on X:
“Homosexuality is invading the Church. Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this [because] they’re busy apologizing for their barbaric homophobia, whether or not it’s true.”
Edwards claimed that the problem is a “gospel issue.” He said: “If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Saviour.”
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When the tweet came to Cliff College’s attention, Edwards was suspended and allegedly threatened with a referral to counterterrorism authorities. The college has denied this claim.
Edwards later got fired for reportedly “bringing the college into disrepute.” They demanded he take down his controversial tweet as it violated the institution’s social media policy. However, he refused, pushing the institution to make him resign forcefully. The college released a statement addressing the situation.
They claimed Edward’s language was “inappropriate and unacceptable and does not represent either the views or ethos of Cliff College.” In response to his unfair dismissal, Edwards is suing Cliff College. He seeks damages and accuses the institute of harassment, discrimination, and unlawful termination.
Edwards is most aggrieved by how poorly Cliff College is handling the situation. As far as he is concerned, the dismissal proceedings lack “requisite fairness.”
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He said: “Anyone concerned about academic freedom, Christian freedoms, and free speech should be deeply concerned by what has happened to me.”
The Christian Legal Center is handling Edwards’ lawsuit against his employer. He claims that the loss of his job left him in “severe physical distress.” He also says it affected his ability to seek employment elsewhere in the British higher education system.
In defense of his actions in February, Edward said, “The tweet was not defamatory; it was not an attack on any colleague or individual; it was not abusive; and it was not an extremist religious view.”
The theologian’s post addresses evangelicals “as a point of doctrine.” However, people who want to cause personal and institutional trouble for those who share his view misunderstand it.
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In response to all the commotion Edwards has been stirring up, Cliff College’s spokesperson said: “As internal processes remain ongoing, we are unable to respond to specific issues.”
The representative continued: “As a Methodist institution, Cliff College is committed to being a safe and hospitable place where those with differing convictions are welcomed and encouraged to live and learn together as faithful disciples of Christ.”
Edwards believes he was well within his rights to express his view on homosexualism. The lawsuit’s outcome is yet unknown. In the meantime, he fights for public opinion and hopes to get support from those who agree with his view.
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