If you thought Christians only met in secret in countries like China, think again. Students at Vanderbilt may have no choice if they want to keep their clubs' membership criteria. Officials at the Nashville university have embraced an "all-comers" policy, which means campus ministries can't require ministry leaders to have a "personal commitment to Jesus Christ."
It's all part of the school's nondiscrimination policy, and it could spell the end for groups like Fellowship for Christian Athletes or Christian Legal Society. Although the policy is specific to Vanderbilt, University officials across the country are watching the situation closely as they consider new policies that are hostile to campus ministries.
The precedent Vanderbilt's policy sets is so dangerous that 36 members of Congress--led by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), Co-Chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, and Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)--are stepping in to protect religious students from discrimination. In a letter released today, the House leaders lean on campus officials to roll back the policy or provide an exemption. The Tennessee legislature has been trying to combat the policy with a new measure that would block this kind of religious suppression.
Unfortunately, Gov. Bill Halsam is now threatening to veto the bill. Urge him not to!
Contact his office today and ask him to do his part to overturn this unconstitutional attack on the students' first freedoms.
Tony PerkinsFamily Research Council
frc.org
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