A psychology professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato is taking heat from conservative TV talk show host Tucker Carlson for tweeting that God is guilty of a #MeToo violation for the Virgin Mary's pregnancy.
Eric Sprankle, who specializes in sexuality studies, angered Carlson and guest commentator Mark Steyn on Thursday on Carlson's Fox News show with his tweet from earlier in the week: "The virgin birth story is about an all-knowing, all-powerful deity impregnating a human teen. There is no definition of consent that would include that scenario. Happy Holidays."
In response to a critical tweet, Sprankle responded with a tweet saying that "the biblical god regularly punished disobedience. The power difference (deity vs mortal) and the potential for violence for saying 'no' negates her 'yes.' To put someone in this position is an unethical abuse of power at best and grossly predatory at worst."
On Carlson's show. Steyn expressed his displeasure with what Sprankle wrote.
"Fifty years ago, this kind of shallow banality would be something in the province of a drunk undergraduate at three in the morning," he said.
Sprankle didn't return e-mails or telephone calls Friday seeking comment. The university issued the following statement:
"As a public institution of higher education, Minnesota State University, Mankato respects the rights and privileges associated with the U.S. Constitution, including in this case the First Amendment right of freedom of speech and religion."
A spokesman said the university wasn't aware of parents or donors who may have contacted the school about Sprankle's tweets. He added that the school had received a handful of complaints.
