Pastor Matt's Blogosphere

Christian Fraternity Will Proceed at U. of Florida

The Christian men’s fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi received an injunction in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday that will allow it to proceed as an active “on-campus” organization the University of Florida.
According to a release on Christian News Wire, representatives from Beta Upsilon Chi sued the university on grounds of religious discrimination after they learned they could not be an active organization on campus this year. The group exists on 20 other campuses throughout the United States, many of which are public institution like the University of Florida. The university wanted to shut down the group because being a Christian is required for membership into the organization. Florida officials say that stipulation violates the university’s own nondiscrimination policy.
“In this decision, the Court has reiterated the importance of ensuring faith-based organizations are treated fairly and equitably in the public square,” said Brett Williams, board member of Beta Upsilon Chi. “This ruling is encouraging to the young men of Beta Upsilon Chi at the University of Florida, but more importantly it makes a strong national statement that the rights of religious freedom and free association must be respected by universities.”
The case has not reached a final resolution, and as arguments continue, Beta Upsilon Chi continues to assert that the Constitution gives them the right to form a religious group and the university’s policy cannot infringe upon that.

(Article copied from Church Solutions.)