Around the same time, Dr. York asked the college to look for a religion professor who would teach theologically conservative positions.

In another a religion professor who had an affair with a student is painted as the victim.

Barrett was a religion professor at Brigham Young University for 40 years, from 1953 to 1993.

"Asahara is a total materialist," said Yoshiya Abe, a religion professor at Kokugakuin University.

The school also has a community service requirement for each student during the school year, and that chore is set up by the religion professors.

Even so, in 2012 a religion professor was hired in a process that did not involve the usual faculty input.

"There was hesitancy," said Susan Schwartz, a religion professor who is one of several faculty members weaving the study of magic into their courses.

Cornel West, Princeton University's much-ballyhooed religion professor, had already acquired rock-star status in academic circles.

With the right-wing religion professor, it was conservative all the way.

"I think people have just had to adjust to a different style," said Cornel West, a religion professor and director of the Afro-American studies department.