The U.S. Supreme Court has taken on a case involving a Christian group at the University of California's Hastings College of Law and the group's refusal to abide by the school's non-discrimination policies because of its national guidelines. The guidelines read, in part, "In view of the clear dictates of Scripture, unrepentant participation in and advocacy of a sexually immoral lifestyle is inconsistent with an affirmation of the Statement of Faith" demanded by the Christian Legal Society.
The Baltimore Sun reports:
"The case, to be heard next year, could set new rules for campus groups across the nation. The University of California's Hastings College of Law says its officially recognized student groups must be open to all of its students. The law school also has a general non-discrimination policy which applies to student groups and programs. It forbids discrimination based on 'race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation.' Five years ago, the Hastings chapter of the Christian Legal Society was told it could not continue as a recognized student group at the law school if its officers refused to pledge to abide by the non-discrimination rule."
The group refused to admit gays and lesbians because of its policies: "Because the Hastings chapter would not abide by the university's policy, it lost its recognition as an official student group. This is turn meant the campus would not pay travel costs for the group's leaders to attend national meetings. The group also lost its right to use reserved rooms for meetings and, it was excluded from some newsletters or mailings that were sent to students at the law school."
The Supreme Court will "hear the appeal and...rule on whether the Constitution protects the Christian student's group right to exclude some students."
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