BOCA RATON, Fla. — A controversial “stomp on Jesus” classroom exercise at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has raised a few eyebrows, including those of Florida Gov. Rick Scott, after learning a student was suspended for not participating in the lesson.
The March 4 incident occurred when communications instructor Dr. Deandre Poole asked students to write “Jesus” on a sheet of paper and then stomp on it. FAU student Ryan Rotela, a devout Mormon, refused and reported the incident to Poole’s supervisor two days later, the Huffington Post reports.
Rotela said he was suspended from the class, although the university issued a statement declaring that no students were forced to take part in the exercise, nor were any students who refused to participate disciplined. The conflicting reports prompted Scott to ask the state university system chancellor for a detailed report on the controversy.
FAU officials maintain that they will not use the exercise again.
