Christian University Apologizes for Saying “Abortion is Murder” is Hate Speech

Abilene Christian University, a private Christian institution in West Texas, has issued an apology after administrators labeled a pro-life student group’s sign declaring “Abortion is Murder” as hate speech, forcing its removal during an on-campus event.

The incident unfolded on October 14, when members of ACU for Life, a student-led pro-life organization, set up a table in the university’s Wildcat Central campus center — a busy hub for students, faculty, staff and visitors — to promote their cause. The group displayed a handwritten sign reading, “Abortion is Murder. Disagree? Let’s talk,” aimed at sparking dialogue.

John Mark Moudy, the university’s assistant director of student services, approached student Lillee Dent and demanded the sign’s removal, citing its wording. Dent deferred to group President Madelyne Arrowood, who engaged in a tense three-minute exchange with Moudy and Dean of Retention and Student Success Lyndi Felan.Moudy and Felan insisted the message constituted hate speech under campus guidelines, which classify such expressions as serious violations creating a “hostile environment.”

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They repeatedly threatened disciplinary action if the sign remained.

Arrowood refused, declaring, “No, I am not taking it down. Abortion is murder. And they are killing someone. This is a Christian campus. We say that we are believers and a baby is a life.”

Facing pressure in the high-traffic area, Arrowood proposed a compromise, replacing the sign with one reading, “Abortion Kills Innocent Human Life.” Felan approved the change and departed.

That evening, Vice President of Student Life Ryan Richardson emailed students clarifying tabling policies, stating, “Tabling should not be used to ‘prompt discussions likely to create argument, tension, or division within our community. It is not appropriate for tabling to be used in ways, through signage or personal engagement, that invite confrontation or public debate.’”

He announced a new policy on the matter would be released Oct. 20.

The confrontation, captured in videos, quickly drew backlash from students and alumni who viewed the administration’s stance as a betrayal of the university’s Christian values. Arrowood, reflecting on the fallout, noted that the episode prompted an evening student meeting, leading to the formation of ACU for Free Speech.

“Student conversation and open debate is an important part of college, and conversation moderated by faculty is often canned as students are worried for their grades and unlikely to correct faculty that they may disagree with,” she said.

By October 22, a petition titled “ACU For Free Speech In Campus Centers” had amassed nearly 900 signatures, urging clearer guidelines that protect pro-life expression on the faith-based campus.

On October 14 — the same day as the incident — university officials released a statement walking back the initial characterization.

In response to a request for comment on the controversy, ACU sent The Dallas Express a statement.

“During the interaction, the Student Life staff member unfortunately used the phrase ‘hate speech’ in a broader conversation to describe the sign,” ACU said. “The employee has since apologized for the choice of words and acknowledged that the sign is not an example of hate speech. To be clear, the university does not believe the sign represented hate speech.”

It added, “Open discussion of ideas, challenging topics and areas of disagreement is welcomed and encouraged at ACU, and opportunities for such activities are provided at appropriate times and settings.”

In a statement to LifeNews, Arrowood defended her group’s mission.

“Student conversation and open debate is an important part of college,” Arrowood said. “Conversation moderated by faculty is often canned, as students are worried for their grades and unlikely to correct faculty that they may disagree with.”