California Stripping Christian Campus Groups of Recognition for Requiring Christian Leaders | Christian News Network

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Student groups in the California State University system that identify as Christian are being labeled discriminatory for requiring leaders to be Christian and are beginning to be stripped of official recognition.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, which identifies as an “evangelical campus mission,” recently lost recognition at 23 schools across the state over the decision, which is based on the system’s anti-discrimination policies.

“Loss of recognition means we lose three things: free access to rooms (this will cost our chapters $13k-30k/year to reserve a room). We also lose access to student activities programs, including the new student fairs where we meet most students. We also lose standing when we engage faculty, students and administrators,” spokesperson Greg Jao told reporters.

The de-recognition of InterVarsity comes as a result of an executive order that was put into effect in 2011, which states, “No campus shall recognize any fraternity, sorority, living group, honor society or other student organization that discriminates on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation or disability.” It also outlines that the ban on discrimination extends to leadership positions.

“For an organization to be recognized, they must sign a general nondiscrimination policy,” Mike Uhlencamp, director of public affairs for the California State University system, additionally explained to the Washington Post. “We have engaged with [InterVarsity] for the better part of a year and informed them they would have to sign a general nondiscrimination statement. They have not.”

But Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research says that the policy won’t only effect InterVarsity—it can have repercussions on all faith-based groups, and even secular organizations as well.

Read More  California Stripping Christian Campus Groups of Recognition for Requiring Christian Leaders | Christian News Network.