U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Christian group barred from school
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today on the case between the University of California’s Hastings Law School and the Christian Legal Society (CLS). The CLS has been barred from recognition by the law school because all recognized groups may not exclude people due to religious belief, sexual orientation and other reasons. The society claims that this is a violation of their constitutional freedoms of speech, religion and association. They also argue that groups shouldn’t be forced to allow people who don’t share their beliefs to become leaders.
The meetings of the CLS are open to everyone, but people must sign a statement of faith before they can become voting members or run for office. Part of that agreement states that “Christians should not engage in sexual conduct outside of a marriage between a man and a woman”
The CLS has taken up this same battle at other schools, but the differing results make it difficult for either side to declare a clear legal precedent. The Supreme Court’s ruling will therefore have a significant impact on several other cases.
It even has a bearing on President Obama’s recommendation for a new Supreme Court Justice, since presumed candidate Diane Wood ruled on a case nearly identical to this one in 2006 concerning the Southern Illinois University law school. She wrote a dissenting opinion in favor of the law school, and if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the CLS in this case it will likely be a key point of argument against her acceptance as a Supreme Court Justice.
It would seem there are a few simple questions that would clarify this case. If this was the Muslim Legal Society, would anyone argue that they must allow Christians to be president before the club can be recognized? If this was the Gay/Lesbian Legal Society, would anyone argue that they must allow avowed heterosexuals to be president? If this was the African-American Legal Society, would anyone argue that they must allow caucasians to be president?
{Adapted from my article as Denver Christianity Examiner}
