Christian student groups may choose leaders according to their faith. That is established.
So why is a college like the State University of New York’s Broome Community College discriminating against Campus Bible Fellowship?
Jacob Seachrist, a CBF student, wants to contend for the Christian faith. It’s important for leaders of Christian groups to be Christians.
“Doing otherwise would dilute the ministry’s Christian character and stifle its mission of spreading the Christian faith,” according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
Having a personal relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of being saved. This is not about discrimination. Besides, who wants to be a leader of a religion without believing in the religion?
ADF filed a lawsuit on Seachrist’s behalf. An excerpt:
Accordingly, the college refuses to officially recognize CBF as a student club, preventing it from reserving campus space and accessing financial resources. The lawsuit explains, however, that CBF’s establishment of leadership standards is an expression of faith at the core of the First Amendment’s protections.
“The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations are free to select faithful leaders,” said Tyson Langhofer, ADF senior counsel. “But SUNY Broome’s policy undermines that right by seeking to control a fundamental aspect of CBF’s governance, doctrine, and faith. Forcing CBF to accept leaders who don’t share their religious beliefs fundamentally alters their religious expression. The First Amendment prohibits this type of governmental interference.”
Photo edit: By Broomemarcom – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, link
