Thursday, July 20, 2006

Court Orders Illinois University to Recognize Christian Student Group

A constitutional attorney is hailing a federal court decision that forces Southern Illinois University to recognize a Christian student group. SIU had denied official recognition to the campus Christian Legal Society, arguing the group violated the university's affirmative action and nondiscrimination policies because it limited its membership to Christians.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled, however, that the Christian Legal Society (CLS) chapter is likely to succeed in district court with its lawsuit alleging SIU violated the group's free-speech rights. The court also ruled that the student organization's requirement that its members abstain from extramarital sex is not discriminatory. Read more...