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CSU bans campus Christian group

September 10, 2014

ivslo_wow_tentThe California State University system has banned a popular campus Christian group, which has a chapter at Cal Poly, for refusing to allow non-Christians to serve in leadership roles in the organization. [Huffington Post]

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, which has chapters at 19 of the 23 CSU campuses, will lose its official recognition by the various universities as well as its ability to participate in student fairs and to rent facilities at reduced rates. A CSU spokesman said that the university system gave InterVarsity about a year to comply with a nondiscrimination policy, but the campus Christian group refused to do so.

“For an organization to be recognized, they must sign a general nondiscrimination policy,” said CSU spokesman Mike Uhlencamp. “We have engaged with [InterVarsity] for the better part of a year and informed them they would have to sign a general nondiscrimination statement. They have not.”

Following a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that determined public colleges can refuse to recognize religious groups with discriminatory beliefs, InterVarsity has faced recognition challenges at more than 40 universities. CSU is the largest institution yet to ban the organization.

InterVarsity policy opens membership to anyone, but requires those in leadership roles to affirm their belief in the entire trustworthiness of the bible.

“We don’t believe we can affirm a policy that forces us to compromise Gospel faith and Christian integrity without undermining our commitment to help students become real world changers, not just world accommodators,” InterVarsity spokesman Greg Jao said in response to the CSU ruling.

Jao said the decision to remove university recognition will costs individual chapters about $20,000 a year.

Prior to the ruling, the Cal Poly chapter was still planning on participating in the upcoming Week of Welcome club fair, according to the organization’s website. An August 1 post stated that the chapter will have a huge InterVarsity tent at the club showcase.


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people are…..pretty much people. i’d rather commune with a moose


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It looks like Political Correctness heavily biased in favor of Progressive-Statist jackboots.


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I’ve long wondered how, say – the Fellowship of Christian Athletes – would feel if a similar Fellowship of Muslim Athletes were established and received use of public resources, like high school stadiums, at a discount. I believe we would discover just how tolerant the “Christians” really are.


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I’d be OK with it as long as they weren’t impoisng Shari Law or shouting Allah Akbar!


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Tolerance for Muslims in America:


Mary Scarlet, MUSLIMS praying in the Streets of NY are claiming America for Allah. A Christian Nation can’t put up a Christmas scene of the baby Jesus in a public place, but the Muslims can stop normal traffic every Friday afternoon by worshiping in the streets…. Something is happening in America that is reminiscent of what is happening in Europe. This is Political Correctness gone crazy…


“For evil to flourish, all that is needed is for good people to do nothing.” Edmund Burke


Read more at http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/changingface.asp#CveUBWbWfkXQE6F3.99


http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/changingface.asp


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Wait. So being a Muslim is “evil” now? Exactly the reply I expected from a “Christian.”


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” A Christian Nation” are you sure about that?, You maybe assuming a lot. Do the

numbers support this generalization? Implied is that if I’m not Christian by your

standards, I’m somehow less of an American than you?


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I just looked at some numbers which look pretty skewed and bogus to me.

62% of Americans “Claimed” Church affiliation. Maybe at Christmas and

Easter when all of a sudden every hypocrite on the planet is holy. I rather

doubt there will be a “Churchianity” revival anytime soon haven as they are for every kind of degenerate. By the way, the worse kind those “sweet” little old

gossippy whispering church whores. Who you trying to kid?


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Hey Rawhide. Read the Snopes. Once a year, not every Friday. And just like the Irish Catholics who get a permit for the st Patricks day parade, these guys also get a permit from the cops. America is about due process and everyone should be treated the same way no matter how screwy their religion, like all religions, are.


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Thank you for pointing out his error. There is one problem. Much of Islam as it is practiced today is more than just a Religion. It involves a social transformational process that includes the implementation and practice of Sharia Law…not due process as we are accustomed to it.


Is this mind set present in America…Yes. How wide spread? no one knows. But a certain awareness is called for.


That said I don’t care for Psuedo Christian bull crap and deceit, anything to gain

worldly approval and collect a foreskin.


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Perhaps should be noted I study and enjoy a English translation Qur’an.


Muhammad said nothing about using human beings in ritual sacrifice like

cattle. Lopping heads off “after” reciting the Shahada and converting etc.


Muslim clerics in this Country warned of the events of 911 nobody listened to them.


Kind of deceit I’m referring to is representative of the time I had my Qur’an

open and a certain so called Christian (Masters Degree Cal Poly) pointed out a completely innocent verse I had highlighted as if there was something

sinister about the verse “oh boy I got you now”. Then he stuck his hand

on my shoulder as if I’m some sort of pet dog and prayed for me? Like I needed it? He is the one who is diseased and deceitful not me.


I am far more concerned about Pseudo Christianity polluting, leveling,

the social order than I am Islam. Don’t send your children, drunks, idiots,

etc.


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My primary interests are “Biblical Greek” Avestan, Sanskrit.


Sanskrit is the longest, hardest thing I have ever done. I’m

almost done with a review of Lanmans Sanskrit Reader

and Whitney’s (Mt. Whitney named after his brother)

Grammar. Both were proper Victorian Christians as was

Max Muller back when Christians developed their intellects.


Present generation is not doing Christianity or the Culture

any big favors, don’t strain yourselves.


Become Missionaries, go to the rain forest (stay there) hop

in your canoe and paddle down the Amazon off into the

sunset. Kumbaya to you to.


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“this is political correctness gone crazy”


Alternative explanation, it’s freedom in action. Things they are a changin, and Ms Jones is uptight.


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What an inane comment. The issue is the First Amendment: I would welcome any faith-based or agenda-driven group, and so would the Christians, very likely. The Constitution has NOTHING to say about discrimination. It recognizes the natural law of freedom to speak and worship as you please. You need to read Locke and the Federalist Papers.


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That was in reply to “Scarlet”.


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You wouldn’t think it so inane if you lived in Atascadero.


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The issue, jonhartz, is not whether or not this is a constitutional issue but how people would REACT to others professing a different, non-majority view.


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Judge much?


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Very strange..


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Last week I was at a farmer’s market and “they” had a booth and a guy was out in front of the booth with pamphlets and when I walked by he asked me “Are you going to heaven?” To which I replied “I sure hope not.” He looked bewildered–probably never heard that answer before.


If you look at God’s creations—the devil, disease, natural disasters, birth defects, pain, suffering, etc. etc. it becomes pretty self evident that the idea would be to stay as far away from this creature as possible because being close to him for eternity would surely be tortuous and drive one insane. Of course, this is just tongue in cheek to shock the Christians back. They deserve it with their irrational, beyond comprehension cruel, make- pretend sky fairy.


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That is the saddest thing here. Gotta love how those who have never cracked a book on comparative religion, let alone read an Apologia, have all the answers and all the bile to go with them. “They”? Talk about dehumanizing those you disagree with.Yuck.


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On the other hand, for this group to be mistreated and told what to think and say and do or there will be financial and recognition consequences, is just as wrong as someone telling a Buddhist what to think.


Orwell had a word for how these Christians at this organization believe. The word was “crimethink”. I have sad, mournful words for this drifting country and it’s Muslim sympathizer in the White House. “Post-Christian America”. Sad.


And the word for indigos lengthy trouncing of the right of Christians to believe, practice, and to mildly proselytize. The word is, for indigos complaints, “unjustified”.


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Orwell’s term for it was not “crimethink” but “thoughtcrime.” And it is indeed a crime that you have not put more thought into your comment. If the POTUS were a “Muslim sympathizer,” would he have given Seal Team Six the greenlight to take out Osama Bin Laden? Would he be planning to go after ISIS, despite a lack of support in congress? THINK about it.


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Unlike you, Ana, my thoughts are not about a couple of his actions. I view his overall behavior, his personal quote “that the Muslim call to prayer is a lovely sound on the evening air,” (paraphrase) and his historic education in a madras, dumping over Mubarek, Libya, your dollar buys half the gold and gasoline it bought before him, food stamp explosion. Little else could explain his behavior. But, I’m off topic, you liberals and us Americans will just have to debate and watch the USA smolder. Ditto El Mundo.


And thank you for correcting me on Orwell, I recall the concept but blew it on the precise terms. Old guy brain fog.


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While I can agree with most of what indigo 1955 wrote, I think that most of those in those Christian groups are going to feel persecuted, with no idea of the potential that it is their intractable position that has brought on the “persecution”. They were asked to comply with the same rules that all other groups on campus operate with and constantly, steadfastly refused. Actions, or, in this case, inactions, have consequences. How much of a difficulty would it have been to comply with the stated rules?


My guess is that those in leadership positions will state that they could not give in on their principles; if that is the case, then there should be no appeals, no lawsuits, just an acceptance of the situation that they knew was coming and knew how to avoid, but chose to ignore. Follow the teachings of Jesus and accept the situation, and as a bit of personal advice, drop the “martyr” approach if that comes up for you as a way to try and have your position presented.


Accept this decision with grace, please.


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For the longest time, I have watched Christians operate within society with complete disregard for others’ beliefs-or even laws or ordinances that would apply to them. They simply continue to pray in state buildings and will insist that they are special and above the law–until someone actually files the proper documentation to stop them (I am referring to Pismo Beach and what went on there). They continue to trespass and pound on my front door at my home-and when I politely ask them to cease and explain I am a Buddhist and pretty happy with this—they stuff their literature in my mailbox or under my front mat, etc.


Any time I am near a group of Christians, I feel like I am in a group of cannibals (only they want something much deeper). “Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior?” they ask….entirely unconcerned about me as a person-my constitutional right to religion–or anything at all that may apply to me. They simply see their side, their agenda, and if I don’t go along with the package…they threaten me with hell. Hell….the place where you get constant 3rd degree burns and there is no first aid station…These folks operate in a fear and punishment zone.


I am so glad to see that not everyone has laid down to these tactics-and I have seen Christians treat others as outcasts before-with very damaging results. There is a paradigm shift going on within the realm of religion and spirituality. It is fine to believe what you wish–with no punishment or shame place on you.


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I had a Professor at lowly SDSU in the Religious Studies Department. He had a profound effect on his Students including me.


In this instance I tend to agree with you. I don’t care for this predisposition towards control, manipulation, and deceit that seems to be inherent in Pseudo Christianity. May work for the College kids, but me? I don’t think so.


I’m not sure I see some new paradigm shift? It has always been the preferred few who keep authentic Christianity/Spirituality alive.


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It sounds like you have some unresolved feelings towards Christians. Freedom of religion is a tenet of our country, and we were founded by Christians, not Muslims, or Hindu’s.


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Someone preventing you from practicing your Religion what ever it is?


I performed my Miliatary obligation for this Country, did you?


Founded by Christians yes, back when they had half a brain in thier head. At one

time Christians were the best and the brightest. Now they get in circles, hold hands with smelly drunks and sing stupid songs.


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Unresolved!! Mine are all resolved, like back in the 60s. Pretty easy to question what organized religion is all about whether you’re catholic

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/08/us/american-archbishops-lavish-homes/


or evangelical


http://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/category/celeb/televangelists/


And yes we were founded by Christians. WHO WERE FLEEING PERSECUTION FROM OTHER CHRISTIANS.


So believe anything you want just don’t bring it into our government (yours and Mine). And let’s all start giving some serious thought to getting rid of religious tax exemptions, I mean religion is just another business.


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the founders of the nation were not Christian they were Deists who


believe you cannot petition God with prayer


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Wrong. Revisionist history.


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“The Government of the United States of America

is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.”


~1797 Treaty of Tripoli signed by Founding Father John Adams


Lots more where that came from.


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Wrong? Care to present any evidence for your statement? Read the “Treaty of Tripoli” that Ana di Plosis commented about; the treaty was written by Thomas Jefferson, passed by unanimous vote in Congress, and was signed by President John Adams. Those are facts, not opinions, not heresy, not some second or third hand info. Let me make it easier for you: Link here to the whole wording of the treaty, and here is Article 11 of that treaty: “As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.”


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Indigo confirms Satre’s conclusion: “L’enfer, c’est les autres”. KInda bitter and hateful for a Buddhist, no?


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CSU Club Policy – allowed liberal students to join the College Republicans and they created a voting block.


CSU Nondiscrimination Policy – Bans Intervarsity


Whole lot of tolerance preached by the CSU; however, they appear to be the worst offenders.


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So, in enforcing the same rules for all groups on campus, the CSU is practicing “intolerance”? Or would it not be the case that by making an exception, any exception, they would be accused of favoritism ?


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