ARE CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WELCOME AT SIU?

Where is this so-called marketplace of ideas in higher education? In an era of selective tolerance would there be any doubt that an individual would seek to infringe my First Amendment rights?

At SIU School of Law, I am part of a student organization called the Christian Legal Society ("CLS"). Our CLS group is part of the national CLS organization. The national organization's rules preclude unrepentant sexual sinners--including fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals--from becoming members or assuming leadership roles, but these individuals are certainly welcome to attend any meeting. Due to the membership restrictions imposed by CLS, a homosexual SIU student has requested that the administration review whether the CLS membership requirements violate the school's non-discrimination policies.

Is it possible that this move by the complaining student is anything but political? We are a small group that gets together simply for fellowship and a quick Bible study. As far as I know, this school year not one single homosexual student has attended a CLS meeting. Why in the world, then, would a student be concerned about whether our organization is consistent with the school's non-discrimination policies? Because the student is interested in making a political statement and advancing a particular agenda.

This Thursday, the CLS members will vote whether or not to stay a part of the national organization. I assume the vote will result in a "yes." If the vote goes as I assume it will, then the administration will have to decide whether to de-recognize us. If they do, we will file suit.

Why file suit? Because this matter is way too important not to. This is not about homosexuals--it is about First Amendment freedoms. You may not like my beliefs, but I hope you support my freedoms. If my freedoms disappear today, then yours might disappear tomorrow.

UPDATE: If you are interested in learning more about the constitutional rights at issue in this situation, then visit this web page and read the demand letter found there. The page is about the CLS victory at the University of Iowa. Click here to read about another CLS victory at Ohio State University.

UPDATE: The vote is in and we will stay consistent with the membership rules established by the national organization. The ball is now in the school's court.

UPDATE: Pursuant to the notice in the comments, the commenting period for this post has ended. If you would like to comment, you can write material on your own blog and then send a trackback ping. Also, I made a few changes in the main text of the post. These changes help clarify some confusion brought to light by the comments.