<p>Not sure what to think about this. My son, who is just finishing his freshman year, emailed a professor to ask about a prerequisite for a summer school course, and the prof emailed him back - and signed the email, "In Him, Prof. XYZ."</p>
<p>This is a state university, not a private Christian school. I feel it's wrong somehow for the Prof to use emails to students to spread a religious message, but maybe I am being too sensitive.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I do think it’s a little bit odd, but it’s not inappropriate or offensive. It’s college. One has to interact with people of all kinds of opinions. Why should a professor have to hide theirs? </p>
<p>Yes, you are being far too sensitive.</p>
<p>Have a nice day!</p>
<p>The OP underestimates the egos of professors. Maybe “in Him” refers to himself.</p>
<p>What about the use of “OMG!!!” over and over and over again? “In Him” is pretty tame.</p>
<p>I think it’s inappropriate, but it does give you important info about the professor.</p>
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<p>While it’s a minor manifestation, if the Prof meant it in a religious sense in the course of writing what is professional correspondence with a student or anyone else, he is likely to be in violation of his public university’s policies. </p>
<p>Policies put into place because as a public institution, they and their employees…including that Prof are government employees and thus…cannot be seen to show favoritism or otherwise advocating for their faith when on the public U/government clock. This is based on the First Amendment establishment clause of government institutions and its agents(a.k.a. employees) not showing favoritism towards or discriminating against those of other faiths/beliefs. </p>
<p>It’s no different from rules which apply to government agencies in other agencies when dealing with the public. colleagues, or subordinates. </p>
<p>Can a real lawyer weigh in on this, not someone who is just guessing? </p>
<p>How is this materially different from a prof wearing a cross around her neck or a yarmulke on his head?</p>
<p>Answer back “in Her.”</p>
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<p>One is a personal clothing choice and expression of faith which isn’t viewed by the reasonable person standard as overbearing on others. </p>
<p>The OP’s situation is professional correspondence from a government employee…and likely done on official public university email resources which could reasonably be viewed as the modern equivalent of official letterhead. This is problematic as it can lead the recipient to reasonably believe that the government institution condones his/her favoring or proselytizing his faith to others on government time. </p>
<p>Worse, the Professor is in a position of authority vis a vis the student which worsens the unprofessionalism and likely legal liability from First Amendment establishment clause suits. </p>
<p>Not only is this considered unprofessional in the public sector workplace context, but could also place the government institution concerned under possible legal liability due to recipients receiving religious content in professional correspondence and that pesky establishment clause of the First Amendment where government agencies and its agents may not demonstrate favoritism or discriminate against any religion or faith…or lack thereof. When on government time, they must be seen as impartial in serving everyone they are obligated to serve as part of performing their jobs. </p>
<p>I’d feel very put off by it and it would certainly leave a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t think it’s sue worthy or anything and I don’t think you’re being overly sensitive.</p>
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<p>No kidding! I heard of one school that fired a tenured professor for saying “God Bless You” after someone sneezed.</p>
<p>rolls eyes.</p>
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<p>Seriously? Okay. Then his email is a personal closing statement choice.</p>
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<p>In your mischaracterization of the First Amendment you missed the pesky part about creating laws. It is about the freedom of religion, not the freedom from religion.</p>
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<p>Remember all those lawsuits after President Obama said in his official State of the Union address to the country “God Bless You and God Bless the United States.” ?</p>
<p>Yeah, me neither.</p>
<p>And why did both the House and the Senate applaud after that line? Oh no! Another bunch of lawsuits!!</p>
<p>Oh so true! I onced emailed a professor about a question about First Amendment and she wouldn’t answer it since it would have required some of that…(oh no, wait for it!)…religious content! </p>
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<p>And yet somehow, someway, I bet you will be able to recover from this terrible thing if it ever happened to you.</p>
<p>My prayers are with you!</p>
<p>Where on earth did I say it was scarring, fluffy? You seem way more sensitive about this issue than the OP. My best wishes that you’ll recover from this jarring experience.</p>
<p>Too sensitive. </p>
<p>If my kid presented this horrible issue to me and asked my opinion I’d suggest maybe, just maybe they had waaaaay to much time on their hands.</p>
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<p>One major issue with this…if one cannot have freedom from religion, especially in the form of public officials/employees proselytizing or otherwise showing favoritism or discriminating against other religions/faiths while on government/taxpayer time, then that right is a very hollow one indeed for those who don’t share the same faith. </p>
<p>I think the student should be happy he replied it what seems to be a timely manner and not go out of his way to find things that are offensive, or his four years may be very long indeed.</p>
<p>My kids go to a public high school. EVERY note, letter, announcement from the principal ends “Blessings.” Every last one.</p>
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<p>Keep in mind some public officials are ignorant of the First Amendment’s establishment clause or feel it’s only applicable to his/her fellow co-religionists…such as the current Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court as seen here:</p>
<p><a href=“Alabama Chief Justice Thinks The First Amendment Only Protects Christians | HuffPost Latest News”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;
<p>Doesn’t mean he or those like him are right, however. </p>