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The number of California universities in conflict with Christian organizations or clubs increased by one this week in a case where a campus group is being denied recognition because it denies membership to homosexuals.
Ryan Sorba, 23, a senior at California State University San Bernardino is accusing the school of discrimination because it will not allow the proposed Christian Student Association to become an official campus group – a status that confers additional benefits to clubs. Although the group allows anyone to attend its meetings, only heterosexuals can become members.
"This is about whether or not the First Amendment is allowed to exist at Cal State San Bernardino and whether or not Christians are allowed to exist," Sorba told the Associated Press Monday.
University officials say state law requires them to bar such groups from forming.
“We are not permitted to charter them under Title V,” said Christian Hansen of the office of Student Affairs, referring to a state education code.
Sorba has not sued the university, however the Washington-based Traditional Values Coalition says it will lobby the state legislature to effect change and will also place pressure on University to change.
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“This is political correctness gone amok,” said Sheldon. “There is no way we are going to let this thing pass.”
Similar cases are playing themselves out at other southern California schools.
At the end of last month, four Christian clubs filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging that the current rules discriminate against them for requiring either leaders or members to profess faith in Jesus Christ.
They are also being supported in their suit by the Alliance Defense Fund, which says it is fighting for the students' religious freedom and right to choose their student organization officers.
The two schools involved in the suit are San Diego State University and California State University Long Beach – both run by the Board of Trustees of the California State University System, which has a total of 23 campuses with similar regulations. CSU San Bernardino is one of those schools.
Students recognized by the university are given various perks including funding from student fees to promote the club. The groups are also given the opportunity to invite guest speakers, post fliers and use campus facilities for gatherings. Those who are not recognized do not enjoy those privileges.
The Alliance Defense Fund and the Christian Legal Society have successfully sued in other states to have universities accommodate faith-based student groups.
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