January 28, 2008

Center Prepares Court of Appeals Argument in UC-Hastings Religious Discrimination Case

On February 15, 2008, Center Litigation Counsel Timothy J. Tracey will present oral argument to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, California, in Christian Legal Society at University of California-Hastings v. Newton. The Hastings CLS chapter filed a lawsuit in 2004 against school officials who denied recognition of the group because the chapter will not agree to accept members and officers who openly oppose their Christian beliefs.

The CLS chapter asked school officials in early September 2004 to exempt the group and other religious student organizations from the religion and "sexual orientation" portions of the university's Policy on Nondiscrimination. The policy forces the CLS chapter, and other campus religious groups who want to be recognized, to accept non-Christian members and officers. School officials denied the chapter's request, stating: "[T]o be one of our student-recognized organizations, the CLS chapter must open its membership to all students irrespective of their religious beliefs or sexual orientation." The school then stripped the CLS chapter of its yearly funding, despite promises already made by UC Hastings officials to provide for certain chapter-related expenses. A federal district court upheld the school's actions in April 2006.

In addition to Center attorneys, the CLS chapter is also represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. Attorneys Timothy Smith and Stephen Burlingham, both of Sacramento, California, are serving as local counsel.

Center Director Gregory S. Baylor Address Heritage Foundation on Religious Liberty

The Center's Director, Gregory S. Baylor, addressed a gathering of religious liberty advocates sponsored by The Heritage Foundation on January 24, 2008, in Washington, D.C. At the invitation of former Attorney General Ed Meese, Greg spoke on "Traditional Constitutional Issues" for the group, outlining historical developments in free exercise jurisprudence and possible future trends and issues.

 

The Center for Law & Religious Freedom is the advocacy ministry of the Christian Legal Society, which is the professional association founded in 1961 of Christian attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and friends throughout the United States.

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