Regent University Threatens Student Over Satirical Pic of Pat Robertson

This post, written by Paddy, originally appeared on Cliff Schecter's Brave New Films Blog

Student in trouble over Web posting

RICHMOND, Va. --A Regent University law student says school officials have threatened to discipline him for posting an unflattering photo of founder Pat Robertson on his Facebook page.

Adam M. Key, 23, posted a picture of Regent's founder and president making what appears to be an obscene gesture on the social-networking Web site. Key copied it from a YouTube video in which Robertson scratches his face with his middle finger.

The second-year law student said officials at the private Christian university in Virginia Beach demanded that he either publicly apologize and withhold public comment about the matter, or submit to the law school dean a legal brief defending the posting. Key chose the latter, arguing that his posting was satire protected under the First Amendment.

"I believe they're wrong from a legal standpoint," the Houston native said in a telephone interview Thursday. "But also, it's important in the Christian faith to be able to criticize our leaders."