Christian law students sue Univ. of Montana over funding denial

[Newsjock]

Source: Missoulian

The student chapter of the Christian Legal Society at the University of Montana is suing UM's Law School because it was denied funding by the Student Bar Association.

... According to the suit, the Christian Legal Society encourages Christian law students to “grow in their faith as they learn the law, integrating their faith into their chosen profession” and seeks “to encourage all students to investigate the claims of Christ for themselves and to be a Christian voice on the School of Law campus.”

To “protect” the Christian message, the organization says it requires all voting members and leaders to agree with a “statement of faith,” including its interpretations that Christians should not engage in sexual activity outside the context of marriage between a man and a woman.

... “The University of Montana has a nondiscriminatory policy,” (UM's chief legal adviser, David) Aronofsky said. “And in the case of the Student Bar Association, they will not allow funding to a group that is not open to all students, and you can't be a member or an officer of the Christian Legal Society unless you sign an expression of faith.”

Read more: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/12/18/news/local/news05.txt

[eagler]

1. They need to follow rules just like anyone else

[LiberalFighter]

2. That's not how they want it.

They want OTHERS to follow THEIR rules.

They are a bunch of snot kids aren't they?

[eagler]

3. Are there any other similar groups who have an exclusive membership?

[LiberalFighter]

4. They have several Christian groups

[joeglow3]

5. They screwed themselves...

...when they required a pledge. There are plenty of organizations that cater to a certain demographic, but they will allow anyone to join.

[laconicsax]

6. Oh it's so unfair!

Those poor persecuted Christians being told that they can't get funding if they discriminate in their membership.

How boneheaded do they have to be? When I was in college there were Xtian groups that managed to be recognized clubs and get funding simply by writing in their club charter/constitution that anyone could join regardless and by removing the more overt religious parts (specific references to God/Jesus/faith/etc.) from their 'purpose.'

Never mind the fact that Christian Legal Society is an oxymoron unless it has to do exclusively with the biblical or church law. Isn't it a basic teaching of Jesus that the law of God supersedes the laws of governments? I seem to recall reading something about a problem this caused for early Christians in the Roman Empire--something about considering themselves separate from the law...especially taxation...

[eagler]

8. Actually Jesus said that Christians are to pay their taxes and to

submit to the authorities in government because they (the authorities) were put in place by God.

[laconicsax]

9. Really? Well that's nice to know. nt.

[struggle4progress]

10. Reference please. I think you are mixing up your sources.

[eagler]

11. In Luke 20, Jesus addresses paying taxes to Caesar and in Romans 13

Paul addresses the duty of paying taxes and honoring authority.

[struggle4progress]

12. So the "honoring authority" is from Paul. And the "render to Caesar" quote

of course occurs in the context of a trick question

[eagler]

16. Make of it what you will.

[AnneD]

14. There is a more direct example from the Bible...

about Christians and their duties to pay taxes to their governments that is found in Matt 17:24-27

¶ And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?


Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?


Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.


Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.


This is from KJV. This was one of Christ's miracles because Peter did cast out his net and retrieve a fish with a coin in his mouth that paid the temple tax for Jesus and Peter. And FYI this is the Gospel-no reading between the lines here.

[eagler]

17. Agreed. great example

[knitter4democracy]

7. Statement of faith? The Christian group at Hubby's med school didn't have that.

They allowed all Christians in of any kind (though the evangelicals ran it--many stories there). A statement of faith probably would leave some out.

That's really odd. What makes them think they need a statement of faith? I hope they lose this lawsuit. It sounds stupid.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. Well, if they DIDN'T have the pledge...

...the school would have no problem with the group, it would be authorized and funded with no noise, and the oh-I-am-SO-persecuted whinos wouldn't have this juicy news snippet to wail upon. And that would make Baby Jesus cry.

[knitter4democracy]

15. It's still weird. If they're itchin' for a fight, it still makes them look bad.

There's no reason to have a statement of faith. If that's the sticking point, it just makes them look bad. They really are delusional.

[eagler]

18. It's just another example of a group trying to force their beliefs and gain special favor.

That's what makes it wrong - whether it is a Christian or any other kind of a group. these kinds of people deserve criticism and in cases like this it certainly is not bigotry to condemn their methods.