USA: Christian student group sues Wayne State University after status revoked

---

The organization, which has operated on the WSU campus since 1941, was notified on Oct. 3 that it was no longer a recognized student organization. 

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: MLive/Detroit News
By Gus Burns | March 7, 2018

There are nearly 550 student organizations listed on Wayne State University's website, but after 75 years as part of the Detroit institution, the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is no longer among them.

The Christian group, which says it has more than 1,000 chapters nationwide, is now suing the Wayne State University Board of Governors, university President Roy Wilson, state officials and others on claims that its Constitutional rights have been violated.

According to the lawsuit, the Dean of Students, which approves student organizations, declined to renew the organization's status for the 2017-2018 school year, because its constitution is in violation of the university's discrimination policy.

While the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship says it welcomes members of all faiths, it limits leadership roles to Christians only.

"And that's because InterVarsity's leaders hold an important spiritual leadership role within the group; they are given the title of 'Christian Leader' and held to biblical standards for leadership," the lawsuit filed in federal court Tuesday says. "This role requires and authorizes them to perform a number of important religious functions for the group. For instance, one of the primary duties of leaders is leading Bible studies and engaging in religious teaching.

"Additionally, leaders will lead group prayer, organize and participate in religious outreach, and organize prayer vigils and other events."

The organization, which has operated on the WSU campus since 1941, was notified on Oct. 3 that it was no longer a recognized student organization.


Read original post here: Christian student group sues Wayne State University after status revoked


This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Times of Ahmad. Times of Ahmad is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.