Defending my faith in an academic environment...When I feel offended by a professor's negative comments toward Christianity, should I speak up? Usually I would just stay quiet, avoid confrontation. But my non-religious friend suggested I tell the professor how the comments made me feel, how I felt they were inappropriate and unnecessary in a public setting. So I did, hands shaking, voice quivering. To my surprise, the professor was very understanding and apologetic, saying she hadn't intended her comments to be hurtful to anyone. She asked that I come to her if I ever felt uncomfortable again, promising to be mindful of how her comments affected those around her. It takes just as much bravery to boldly speak up as it does to humbly step down. Kathleen Stevens