New Missouri Bill Would Permit Christian College Groups To Discriminate Against Gay Students

[okaawhatever]

A Missouri lawmaker has proposed a new bill that is designed to make sure that on a college campus, Christian groups can be free to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation while still enjoying all of the perks and privileges of being a student group.

State Rep. Elijah Haahr (R) has introudced HB 104, a bill that prohibits universities from “burdening” any religious organization by
denying it recognition based on its beliefs and practices:

No public institution of higher learning shall take any action or enforce any policy that denies a religious student association any benefit available to any other student association, or discriminate against a religious student association with respect to such benefit, based on that association’s requirement that its leaders or members adhere to the association’s sincerely held religious beliefs, comply with the association’s sincere religious observance requirements, comply with the association’s sincere religious standards of conduct, or be committed to furthering the association’s religious missions as such beliefs, requirements, standards, or missions are defined by the association or religion upon which the association is based.

Many universities have nondiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity and they require all student groups to abide by those policies if they wish to receive student funding and use campus spaces. Over the past ten years, many Christian groups, such as the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Christian Legal Society, have tried to challenge these policies on various campuses by requiring that candidates for officer positions not identify as gay, because homosexuality is against their religious beliefs. When campuses then revoke their privileges, they claim that it’s a violation of their religious freedom, but so far, courts have upheld universities’ “all-comers” policies — as in, all who come must be free to participate equally.

Continued at Link:
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/01/12/3610434/missouri-higher-education-discrimination/?utm_content=buffer91f8f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[randys1]

1. I wish the one third of america who acts like children would grow up

[Politicalboi]

2. We should hold them to the bible

Eating left overs is an abomination. Eating shellfish is an abomination. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR! That alone should take care of their discrimination. Why aren't more Christians speaking out about this. I guess this means ALL Christians agree with this.

Bible thump them harder.

[okaawhatever]

3. Amen. Live by the book, die by the book....... nt

[wavesofeuphoria]

4. More religion privilege in the US

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Religion never skips a day. Every single day there is some new stream of hostile religious nonsense

aimed at LGBT people and our defenders. They never let a day go by.