Welcome to the world of upside down! Gonzaga University, which is a Catholic institution, denied recognition to a pro-life student debate group because its policy limiting leadership roles to Christians is “discriminatory.” Anyone of any faith may join the club.
“We live in a strange age, indeed, when a Catholic, Jesuit university would deny a Christian pro-life group recognition because its religious nature is considered discriminatory,” said Greg Lukianoff, spokesman for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education in Philadelphia, a conservative watchdog group for student rights.
Well Virginia, there may be a Santa Claus, but there sure isn’t any common sense or fair play anymore. Good luck this Christmas.
Did you read what you wrote?
“…denied recognition to a pro-life student debate group because its policy limiting leadership roles to Christians…”
Think about it. It may well be a catholic school, but it accepts all faiths. Does it seem reasonable that a jew, or a buddhist, or hindu should have a portion of their tuition fees given to a student group which denies them equal opportunity?
If it helps the see this in a rational light, replace the “christians” white “whites” and “jews” with “blacks”. Does that seem more (or less) fair?
Be honest.
Given the Christian tenets of the student group, it is not unreasonable for them to want Christian leaders. The club itself accepts people of all faiths as members. It is just as reasonable as the atheist club limiting their leadership to those who deny the existence of God.
At any rate, since when was religion an issue of race? No one is denying blacks or Jews membership or leadership roles. They just have to be Christians.
Jews and blacks CAN be Christians. This is not a race issue at all. Please don’t turn it into one.
Happy New Years Eve, Blacksburg!
Ok, the important thing here, despite details, is the IRONY.
This is a very Christian school, and it’s denying the existence of a Christian club.
That’s WEIRD.
There’s gotta be a way to fix this.
This student group obviously wants to present a Christian face to the university’s student life– which is VERY BRAVE considering the bad rap the Boyscouts have taken over certain aspects of their membership rules. Often times, if you breathe the word Christian, people get paranoid.
I’m sure the Christian Pro-Life Club has its heart in the right place. Seems logical to have people with the fear of God in ‘em up there in the forefront.
But there’s probably a big red tape war over equal opportunity, like CTM said, and university politics, and there’s not a whole lot they can do.
I’m sure there are a lot of people who are pro-life but not Christian, and that the club could enjoy their support…
So… the club will probably have to change it’s name… and maybe become a satellite of the on-campus faith groups… or… hmm.
They could become the Pro-Life group and make sure the tenants of leadership are Christian rules.
But then why not just make the office suitable for Christians only, like they were going to in the first place?
But– argh.
Nope– they’ve got to fight for it. It’s the only way.
If they want that club that bad, let them fight for it.
They have to duke it out with the university, and have a long and glorious/ardurous battle.
And after that, Jeremiah can do a movie about it.
(Thus ends my fifteen cents worth. By the way… what’s this new “February movie” going to be about?)
Good follow through, Jess. I agree this is a battle that should be fought. Christian groups need not give up their charters simply because someone doesn’t like them having standards of morality and belief for their leaders.
I’ll be posting more on the Feb. movie later on…