On Friday, the Eighth Circuit Count ruled unanimously that the University of Iowa officials "can be held accountable after violating the First Amendment and kicking Christian, Muslim, and Sikh student groups off campus simply because the groups asked their leaders to agree with their faith." This was from the Twitter feed of Daniel Blomberg, who is Senior Counsel with Becket Law which describes itself as "a non-profit, non-partisan, law firm that protects the free expression of all religious traditions - from (A)nglicans to (Z)oroastrians."
Blomberg said this in a later tweet: "But while religious groups were targeted, other groups were given a pass. Greek groups excluded leaders on the basis of sex. Political groups ensured their leaders shared their political beliefs. Only religious groups were barred for screening leaders for mission alignment."
I (Arliss) am not an attorney and not even remotely close to being a legal expert on this one issue. But, I do believe this is important. Administrators operate by legal precedent. That is a guide and protection for school officials setting and enforcing school rules and policies. I think it is to our advantage as College Ministers to be aware of these rulings.
My Thoughts in this area:
1. It is to our advantage as College Ministers to keep a working connection and communication with other religious groups on campus.
Even if we do not agree with other religious groups and see them as totally opposite who and what our group and ministry is, the University officials likely see our groups as one and the same. And, they are more likely to be responsive to concerns or questions expressed as a whole. And, they will generally deal with you and see you as one and the same.
2. We must argue for the same rights for non-Christian religious groups as we argue for our own group.
I personally believe that the Christian faith holds up well in discussions or confrontation with other religions. We can believe they are totally and completely wrong....HOWEVER....they have every right to express those ideas on campus. Many years ago in my asking to use the Ballroom in the Student Center for a Christian event, the person doing the scheduling said, "If I let you do that, I will have to let every other religious group do that and you won't like some of them." To that, I answered, "I am perfectly alright with that, if they are a recognized campus groups just as we are." That discussion was the beginning of campus Christian groups beginning to be able to use that facility just as other non-religious clubs were.
3. We must be careful to obey campus rules and guidelines.
These rulings are not a "get out of jail free card" for misbehavior. If the school says you can't put flyers on car windshields, don't do it. When a ministry group breaks rules, it can and should suffer the consequences. Christian groups can be suspended from their rights for misbehavior. The more we disregard campus rules, the easier it is for them to want to see us gone or at least hinder our work
4. Work at having and maintaining a good and professional relationship with administrators who work with student activities.
I always say that we need to know the Vice President of Student Affairs or whomever is the person that deals with groups like ours. It is to our advantage for them to see us as a professional and colleague, if at all possible. I tell young College Ministers just starting out on a campus to "put on your khakis and go meet the person that works with student clubs, etc". And, know that first meeting is an audition. If there is a concern or problem in the future, if we have a relationship, there is a greater possibility of it being worked out.
5. Where possible be a partner and resource to the campus administrators.
When they see you and your ministry as a plus, they are more likely to work with you in a positive way. Look for ways to be a plus to the campus as a whole. If there is a tragedy on campus, make yourself available. Sometimes, they just need volunteers to help with a project. Be a volunteer when possible and feasible. Promote worthwhile student projects that the administration is advocating.
I believe in freedom of religion. Our country was established on that principle. If we want our freedom, we must also protect and be for the freedom of others with whom we differ. I think that belief and actions will help stand us well in dealing with school officials. A college is meant to be a place of the free flow of ideas, beliefs, and discussions of those beliefs. That is why we need to be there and why we need to be allowed to be there. Wasn't that what the Apostle Paul was doing in Acts 17 in Athens?
Arliss Dickerson's brand new book, A COLLEGE MINISTRY SUCCESS FORMULA, is available at amazon.com/dp/B091F5S1RF. What some are considering the new classic, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, is at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.
