Professor Mike Adams

A Christian professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) has won a lawsuit charging the school with denying him a promotion based on his religious views.

The Daily Caller is reporting that Mike Adams, an associate professor of criminology at UNCW accused the university of religious discrimination when he was denied a promotion to full professor in 2006.

Adams, who was an atheist when he began his employment at the University in 1993, converted to Christianity in 2000 and became an outspoken political conservative who wrote columns for Townhall.com. He also wrote books and appeared on radio and television programs where he freely aired his opinions.

Adams conservative views were frowned upon by his liberal colleagues, and when he was denied a promotion in 2006, he believed it was because of those views and decided to sue the University.

In 2010, a federal district court ruled in favor of the University, saying that since Adams included his columns and books as part of his application for the promotion, they could be seen as part of his duties as a professor and therefore would not receive protection under the First Amendment.

Adams appealed the ruling and won in 2011. A jury upheld that verdict yesterday.

“I’m just really thrilled that the jury ruled in our favor,” Adams said. “I’m pleased and honored.”

“This is an incredibly important victory for the First Amendment,” said Travis Barham, an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, in a statement to Campus Reform. “To be able to speak freely without retaliation is a principle that should be a reality on campus and the jurors reassured that.”

In a statement, UNCW said it “respectfully disagrees with the jury’s verdict and will fully explore its options for appeal.”

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