Key Points Regarding Our Lawsuit with UC Hastings
Last updated 10-26-2004.
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All students are welcome to attend meetings, participate in Bible studies, or take part in activities whatever their religious beliefs may be, including beliefs about homosexuality.
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In order to maintain HCF's character as an evangelical Christian organization leadership and membership positions are reserved for students who agree with the Statement of Faith.
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The Statement of Faith requirement is no different than an environmentalist club requiring its officers and members to support conservation or recycling.
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We believe every organization, whether religious or not, should refrain from discrimination on the basis of an individual's identity such as race, gender, disability, national origin, etc. However, belief and expression are different.
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Requiring HCF to allow persons who disagree with Christianity to lead or become members of the group is the same as asking it to abandon its fundamental beliefs. A College Republicans club shouldn't be forced to allow Students for Kerry to run their club, and we see this as no different.
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HCF intends to continue to respectfully challenge the College's nondiscrimination policy until its status as full members of the law school community is recognized and restored.
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This lawsuit seeks only declaratory and injunctive relief, not money damages. If UC Hastings is right about what the law requires, then we will move on. If we are right about the law, and we think we are, then the judge will bring the school back in line with the law.
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In part, we see this as a matter of integrity. We cannot tell Hastings we agree with its nondiscrimination policy when we know full well that we select leaders and members on the basis of their religious beliefs.
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We think true diversity means students can gather around shared ideals and commitments. The Constitution certainly recognizes the difference between invidious bigotry and religious diversity, and we hope the College will as well.