"Christian Student Group Wins Suit Seeking To Limit Its Leadership To Believers"

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Tuesday, April 06, 2021

Christian Student Group Wins Suit Seeking To Limit Its Leadership To Believers

In Intervarsity Christian Fellowship/USA v. Board of Governors of Wayne State University, (ED MI, April 5, 2021), a Michigan federal district court held that Wayne State University violated the free exercise, free speech, association and assembly rights of a Christian student organization (IVCF) when the University suspended the group's status as a Recognized Student Organization.  The University took this action because IVCF violated the school's non-discrimination policy by insisting that its leaders agree with IVCF's  “Doctrine and Purpose Statements,” “exemplify Christ-like character, conduct and leadership,” and describe their Christian beliefs. In an 83-page opinion, the court said in part:

The First Amendment provides religious organizations the right to select their own ministers, and, under the First Amendment and §1983, organizations can sue the government for violating that right....

Plaintiffs also provide uncontradicted evidence that student leaders, called “Christian leaders,” qualify as ministers under the First Amendment....  In essence, Plaintiffs’ student leaders participate in proselytizing efforts and are Plaintiffs’ chosen spiritual resource for students at Wayne State....

No religious group can constitutionally be made an outsider, excluded from equal access to public or university life, simply because it insists on religious leaders who believe in its cause...

Defendants have barred Plaintiffs from selecting leaders that share its Christian views while allowing other groups to engage in similar form of leadership selection. This divergent treatment cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny....

The court awarded an injunction and nominal damages. Detroit News reports on the decision.