ASU Professor Takes a Bold Stand Against Substack Troll Defending Communist Thinker

By Matthew Holloway |

Dr. Owen Anderson, a professor at Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, has recently sparked a contentious debate with his analysis of Friedrich Engels. In a video posted on his Substack on July 8, Anderson described Engels’ philosophy as “a sustained attack on the Christian family.” This critique led to a barrage of reactions, both supportive and hostile, primarily from anonymous accounts.

A commenter, known only as “RD,” challenged Anderson’s interpretation of Engels. RD argued that Engels’ critique encompassed pagan marriages and not solely Christianity, thus disputing the claim of a targeted attack on Christian values. RD insisted that university professors, who Anderson labeled as “radical leftists,” often live in monogamous relationships similar to those described by Engels but with modern legal protections.

In response, Anderson refused to engage with anonymous critics, inviting RD to reveal their identity for a more meaningful discussion. RD retaliated, labeling Anderson as “litigious” and “thin-skinned,” citing the professor’s public complaints as evidence. RD suggested that Anderson’s critiques were meant to bolster his own sense of victimhood.

In a subsequent post, Anderson expressed his frustration with anonymous attackers, describing them as cowards who hide behind anonymity. He highlighted the hypocrisy of these critics, who demand academic freedom and free speech while simultaneously trying to silence conservative voices.

RD further accused Anderson of escalating issues to state politicians and media influencers to intimidate his colleagues. They alleged that Anderson’s actions were aimed at getting colleagues fired for their views and that this undermines principles of free speech and academic freedom.

Anderson concluded the exchange by emphasizing the inconsistency in his critics’ arguments. He noted that critics fail to uphold their own standards of sensitivity and respect when it comes to Christianity. Anderson reiterated his stance against anonymous trolling and underscored his commitment to exposing hypocrisy.

Dr. Anderson ended his post with a set of key points. He criticized RD for disrespecting boundaries and called out the perceived double standards in academic circles. Anderson reaffirmed his role as a whistleblower, defending the rights of Christians and conservatives.

When contacted by AZ Free News, Anderson confirmed that RD has not revealed their identity or made further contact. Readers can follow Anderson’s ongoing efforts to highlight bias in academia through his Substack.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.