Tar Heel Trouble? Christian Singing Group Faces Scrutiny at UNC

Author: ADF Senior Counsel Gregory S. Baylor

The Daily Tar Heel reports that University of North Carolina officials will investigate whether a Christian a capell singing group violated university policy banning "sexual orientation" discrimination. The group, Psalm 100, unanimously voted to remove from membership a student whose views about sexual ethics contradicted the Bible's teachings.

According to the article, Psalm 100 is a recognized student group, and the university's non-discrimination policy thus applies to it.  The policy states in part:  "Membership and participation in the organization must be open to all students without regard to age, race, color, national origin, disability, religious status or historic religious affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."  The policy also states in part:  "Student organizations that select their members on the basis of commitment to a set of beliefs (e.g., religious or political beliefs) may limit membership and participation in the organization to students who, upon individual inquiry, affirm that they support the organization’s goals and agree with its beliefs."  According to the article, Psalm 100 representatives have stated that the student in question was asked to leave the group because of his views.

This post originally appeared here.