Tennessee

Vanderbilt University students who are being forced to allow nonbelievers to take leadership positions in their Christian clubs may have no legal recourse because the four-year institution is privately funded, the head of a conservative law firm told The Christian Post.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mathew Staver said the Tennessee school "can essentially do anything that they want to" in this current circumstance.

The university has currently placed five student groups on provisional status because they refused to open their leadership positions to those who cannot or do not want to lead Bible studies or worship meetings. more >>

Ongoing tension at Vanderbilt University between the administration and religious organizations over the enforcement of the nondiscrimination policy led to a town hall meeting on Tuesday, though some remained unsettled as to whether or not it resolved any issues.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, an evangelical campus ministry with over 700 chapters throughout the nation, was one organization that expressed displeasure in the meeting, which drew more than 200 people, causing staff to turn people away, according to Inside Vandy.

"[We are] disappointed that Vanderbilt's administration has not been responsive to the concerns expressed by its students," the ministry said in a statement. "We remain hopeful that a position change is still possible that will allow InterVarsity's Graduate Christian Fellowship and other Christian organizations to require their leaders to be practicing Christians." more >>

The adviser for Vanderbilt University's Christian Legal Society (CLS) said it is being forced off campus after the university instituted a nondiscrimination policy and placed various religious campus groups on probation.

Law Professor Carol Swain told The Christian Post Tuesday that CLS has amended its constitution to comply with college policies prohibiting clubs from precluding someone from a leadership positions based on his or her beliefs.

However, Swain said the group must draw the line when it comes to some biblical principles and responsibilities. more >>

City officials in Tennessee are looking to shut down a church-run nightclub in Chattanooga, alleging that the ministry is to blame for ongoing violence among youth in the area.

Chattanooga city attorneys filed a complaint Wednesday morning in Hamilton County Circuit Court looking to close Club Fathom, a youth outreach ministry of Mosaic Church led by pastor Tim Reid, a local news station reported.

Among those opposed to the nightclub are Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and Police Chief Bobby Dodd, who both expressed a growing disdain for the organization. more >>

Alex Boles, a Tennessee teacher, has admitted to writing “stupid” on an eighth grade student’s face earlier this December, and is now being investigated for other possible inappropriate incidents.

Boles taught math at Allons Elementary School in Livingston, Tenn., and while he was teaching a class Dec. 6, the educator wrote “stupid” backwards on a student’s forehead so he could read it in the mirror. Soon after Overton Country Schools director Matt Eldridge found out, Boles was put on suspension for his actions.

“It was during class and, of course, that’s not the appropriate way to joke with any of them,” Eldridge told ABC News. more >>

A church in Tennessee will hold a “Blue Christmas” service next week for those who may not be looking forward to the usual merriment of the season due to personal losses or stressful life situations.

The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan in West Knoxville will conduct this special Christmas service on Wednesday, according to the church’s events calendar.

“Not everyone is filled with holiday cheer and not everyone looks forward to the merriment of the Christmas holidays,” a note on the calendar explains. “Sometimes life situations and personal losses can make parties and social gatherings painful for people who are filled with worry and grief.” more >>