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Re: University of Michigan Kicks Christian Club off Campus
zyphlin concludes a post with the following
but a bit of inside info from a Univ. of Michigan student, seems to show a 'desire' for martyrdom by the xian student group was more important than compliance with published standards for student clubs.
Please read the SCOTUS decision I linked to in post #21
zyphlin concludes a post with the following
...a TINY bit of common sense should perhaps be afforded to them.
but a bit of inside info from a Univ. of Michigan student, seems to show a 'desire' for martyrdom by the xian student group was more important than compliance with published standards for student clubs.
The Humble Empiricist: Discrimination? Not On My Campus!
The situation has been framed as a discrimination issue, which is ironic considering what actually happened. Here at the University of Michigan, we have an anti-discrimination policy. It's pretty straightforward; student organizations that are sanctioned by the University must be inclusive to all people regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. All of a student organization's policies and activities must adhere to University policy or the University will not recognize them. There are plenty of benefits to being a recognized student organization; RSOs are elligible for funding, facilities and resources from the University that they would otherwise have to provide themselves. Following the rules is a very small price to pay for the sanction that the University provides.
Enter the InterVarsity Christian fellowship. This Christian student organization on campus had the signing of a statement of faith as a requirement for leadership in the group. It seems obvious that a Christian group would have Christian leadership, but the requirement in black and white that leaders MUST be Christian violated the University's anti-discrimination policy. The University asked them to change their policy and they refused, meaning that they are no longer recognized as a student organization at the University of Michigan. The result is of course a projection of the image of martyrdom.
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Our "Secular Student Association" actually was asked to amend our own constitution last year because it didn't meet University standards. We did so. There is no reason on earth that removing a signed profession of faith from the requirements would hurt the organization. Even if a non-Christian did want to run for office in that club, no one would vote for him/her. The InterVarsity Fellowship's decision to defy their superiors was made out of pure stubbornness. Being reprimanded for not abiding by the same rules as every other group is NOT discrimination.
Please read the SCOTUS decision I linked to in post #21