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Tufts University Bans Christian Student Group for Requiring Leaders to Embrace ‘Basic Biblical Truths of Christianity’

Oct. 23, 2012 10:06am Billy Hallowell

There’s a troubling pattern developing on college campuses across America, as universities are increasingly preventing Christian campus groups from requiring that their leaders be practicing believers. If these clubs fail to comply with so-called “non-discrimination policies,” they are often de-legitimized and banned from official-recognition.

Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, is the latest higher education facility to crack down on student-led religious groups. In a recent move, the school’s student government banned the Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF), an evangelical organization. The decision was made because TCF, which is the campus’ chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, requires that those serving in leadership positions must embrace “basic biblical truths of Christianity.”

The group’s demand that leaders be Bible-believing Christians was found to be in violation of Tuft’s non-discrimination policy. Last month, the Judiciary recommended that the belief requirement be moved from the constitution’s bylaws to its mission statement; while the bylaws are legally-binding, the mission statement is not. TCF didn’t comply and, now, the group is officially unrecognized by the university.

The ban, which was put in place by the Tufts Community Union Judiciary, means that TCF can no longer use the Tufts name for official campus activities. Additionally, its members are forbidden from scheduling events or reserving space through the school’s Office for Campus Life. As is generally the case when these bans go into effect, the group will also be unable, as other student groups do, to receive money from the school.

Tufts University Bans Tufts Christian Fellowship Over Faith Requirement

A screen shot from the Tufts Christian Fellowship web site.

While TCF plans to appeal the decision, it could be an uphill battle — especially considering the similar trend that other schools seem to be following. TCF has 10 days to appeal and must file paper work with the Committee on Student Life (CSL), a panel comprised of students and faculty, The Tufts Daily reports.

In 2000, the group faced a similar situation when a student complained that she was denied a leadership role due to her sexual orientation. After being re-recognized, the organization appealed to the CSL and was re-instated.

Photo Credit: Tufts University

“We’re deciding to appeal this decision because we feel like just the purpose of our organization is to…encourage understanding and celebration of each belief [in the Basis of Faith], and the best way to fulfill that purpose is to have leaders that are centered on and unified by these beliefs,” one of the student leaders of the InterVarsity chapter told the Daily. ”We feel like we have the right to be selective on the basis of belief for our leaders since we’re a student group that is trying to encourage understanding about a faith-based set of beliefs.”

Tufts isn’t the only campus community battling over Christian student groups’ rights to require faithful leadership. As TheBlaze reported earlier this month, Yale is facing a similar issue after the Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) fraternity has come under fire for requiring its members to embrace Christianity. And the non-discrimination policy issues at Vanderbilt University have been widely-reported as well.

While non-discrimination policies are well-intentioned, the notion that a Christian group would be forced to allow leaders who don’t embrace the faith is relatively silly. Similarly, a gay rights group being forced to allow someone opposed to same-sex marriage to lead would also be problematic.

(H/T: Weekly Standard)

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Comments (83)

Miguelito
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:06am
Are there any Christians left in schools? True Christians should stand up and be heard. Vote Values!!!

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MikeNelson
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:06am
…it’s the buggery, stupid.

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Docroxall
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 7:18am
And of course this policy will be uniformly applied to ALL religion-based groups there…so this is only fair…Jewish, Moslem, Atheist, all must drop any and all leadership charter provisions requiring ANY and ALL doctrinal requirements…looking forward to seeing more from Tufts as they drop support for all faith-based organizations.

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- Miss Impala
  Posted on October 28, 2012 at 4:54pm
  “like”
  
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Married to a Liberal HELP
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 4:13am
Just a back door way to get religion off campus. Religion and socialism do not go together so religion must go. Who cares if it makes sense as long as it works.

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Miss Impala
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 1:04am
It clearly said it was a non-denominational Christian group. Banning someone from becoming a leader due to her sexual orientation was wrong. She can be gay and be a Christian. Just like many Christians can be greedy, pious, adulterers, divorced, eat shellfish, eat pork, eat meat and dairy together, touch your wife when she is on her menses, have a funeral inside your church!!, attend Sabbath on Sunday, wear mixed fibers, live in a home with mold, all of this is old testament. Christ is about love and understanding. Why would you want to send a message of hate to one “sinner” and not the others? At one point, women that had sex outside of marriage would have been ostracized. We are doing the same thing to homosexuals.

But while I think banning the group is rediculous, I also think they should have just started another Christian group, one that loves people regardless orientation. Your supposed to following the teachings of Christ if your a Christian. The teachings of the old testament if your not.

Many of the NT references are ambigous and stated by Paul, a disciple that never even met Christ. Yet the Gospel of Mary is poohed poohed as not canonical. So I take Pauls teachings with a grain of salt. He seems to be the one that was most legalistic and does not ring true as to the teachings from Jesus. We have to take the teachings of the Bible with a grain of salt.. otherwise we become like the fundamentalist Islamists or revert back to fundamentalist Christi

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OBAMANATIONOFDESOLATION
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:02pm
Can I apply for a faculty position at Tufts as obviously they have no standards for qualification.

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Nisan 5702
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:16pm
Someone had better catch-on !!!
The secular world thinks it’s solely in Power of Everything ….
Then you wonder why your children are screwed-up after college and give you a bad time when they come home. Our great sanctified learning centers.
Liberal Profs. Etc. Etc, …. Threatening you with downgrades, personal evaluation character, office counseling bad-vibes, not promoting to graduate level studies …. Oh the list goes on.
You should try being a “straight-arrow” in college with values, morals, ethics, and American attitudes.
None promote “defending” your country. ******* all !!!
They all can blow GAS out of their backsides; but not a one of them can take “Orders” with comprehensive skills.

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PobeptMu
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:13pm
PubliusPencilman
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:48pm
Yes, you can. It’s just a matter of the group electing you. What’s your point?
Report Post »

The point, if everyone is playing by the same rules I don’t see a problem at this time. But I wonder though, if, for example an atheist runs for president of a Christian club and is not elected can/will he/she turn around and sue the organization for discrimination.

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TedBohne
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:24pm
Good on Tufts, christians are the most hateful, discriminating group out there.

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TheGrtDcptn
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:08pm
If Tufts University is having an issue with students adhering to ‘Basic Biblical Truths of Christianity’…then every Christian student should exit that college and not look back…

It is always easier to have your ears tickled with Lies…than to hear the Truth…

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Ledger
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:51pm
These attacks won’t end until the people take action. What universities understand is money drying up, and administrators getting fired. It is hard to pursue a personal discriminatory agenda when you have no money or position to do so. There needs to be an national association of christian donors that tracks and certifies that universities do not discriminate against christians. They can also track key personnel from job to job who act against free speech and freedom of religion (not to mistaken for “freedom from religion”). When the money dries up, tolerance for christian religious values will increase, or the personnel will change. It is easier and more profitable for a university to hire someone less controversial, and who will not adversely affect donations. The tide will turn when the people have had enough.

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tothepoint
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:41pm
So Tufts and other universities discriminate against Christians for having “discriminatory practices.”
America – This is the way the lefties think – You are permitted your opinions as long as you agree with them. You are permitted to practice your religion as long as you aren’t Christian. You can be Muslim which practices misogyny and they welcome you to their conventions, but you cannot be Christian. The war on women and Christianity continues by the lefties.

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Qtaug
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:33pm
Every male on campus should join the Lesbian group!

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- hi
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:07pm
  good one!
  
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- DOra Glasberg
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:27pm
  They probably just have a GBLT group.
  You know a man can be a feminist.
  
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Henry22
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:20pm
Those students should carry on…….Just as if it was never said or done…………..Let the university have them arrested or whatever…………And then sue their pants off………………….Christians have got to start taking a stand………….If not…….We will be gone ……………

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COFemale
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:17pm
The easiest way to combat this stupid stance by Tufts University is to go find the Muslim club and run for one of their offices in the Muslim group and when the school defends the Muslims and allow them to reject a non-Muslim in their club, you have a case of discrimination based on religion and can sue them. Go find a gay club and run for office. When they grip that you are Christian and straight and the school defends their stance, you have another case of discrimination.

We need to keep the heat on Tufts University. They have no jurisdiction on who a club allows in or does not allow in. The whole purpose of the club is to have like minded individual that carry the same principals as you. It is not the schools business unless it is based on race only.

Sexual orientation matters in a Christian group. You can’t be gay and be a Christian, unless you never have sex and commit to an act of celibacy while a member of the group. Just as straight sex outside of marriage would be grounds for expulsion from the Christian group, so should be gay sex.

Tuft University is wrong.

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- Ledger
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:56pm
  Great post and a great plan. If courageous students take a stand and sue for money, then you will see a turnaround. It will be easier and less expensive to let the students be.
  
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truemedia
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:09pm
its the whole purpose of clubs is to be with people like minded. This is surely will be done for Muslim, gay, atheist groups RIGHT!!!! Yet I doubt it

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