Federal appeals court orders California school district to reinstate Christian club.
OAN’s James Meyers
4:29 PM – Friday, September 15, 2023
The largest United States federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) student clubs will be reinstated at a public school district in San Jose, California.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 9-2 in favor of the district violating the FCA’s right to free exercise of religion under the First Amendment stating, “counsel’s mutual respect and tolerance for religious and non-religious views alike.”
The Ninth Circuit ruled that the FCA and similar religious clubs do not have to give up their faith to have equal access to campus.
This comes after the school district claimed the Christian club allegedly discriminated against LGBTQ students with its restrictions on who could serve as club leaders.
According to the Ninth Circuit, the school district had used a discriminatory “double standard” against FCA by failing to “treat FCA like comparable secular groups” and instead “penalized it based on its religious beliefs.”
Additionally, the court said that since a women’s club has all-female members and an honors club set standards for members of “good moral character,” it also “makes equal sense that a religious group be allowed to require that its leaders agree with the group’s most fundamental beliefs.”
The school district commented on the ruling, saying they were “disappointed” in the decision, but it “respects the judicial system and its essential role in our democracy.”
“We are reviewing the court’s opinion, assessing options, and considering next steps,” the statement continued. “The most important consideration will be how to continue to implement San José Unified’s long-standing policy against discrimination in district programs and activities.”
FCA groups faced harassment and protests “simply because the clubs asked their student leaders to agree with their faith,” according to a press release from the Becket Fund, which represents FCA, along with the Christian Legal Society and Christopher Schweickert of Seto Wood & Schweickert LLP.
“FCA is excited to be able to get back to serving our campuses,” Rigo Lopez, the local FCA leader for Bay Area schools, said in a statement. “Our FCA teams have long enjoyed strong relationships with teachers and students in the past, and we are looking forward to that again.” A lower court previously sided with the school district, but FCA appealed and won before the school district again asked the appeals court to hear the case. Wednesday’s ruling was decided by a panel of 11 federal judges, in a process called an “en banc” rehearing.
“This is a huge win for these brave kids, who persevered through adversity and never took their eye off the ball: equal access with integrity,” Daniel Blomberg, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, said in a statement. “Today’s ruling ensures religious students are again treated fairly in San Jose and throughout California.”
“Public schools should respect every student’s religious beliefs and treat every student with dignity,” Steve McFarland, director of the Christian Legal Society’s Center for Law & Religious Freedom, said in a statement. “We are grateful the court has reaffirmed this foundational right of every student.”
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Why did the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vote in favor of reinstating the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ student clubs at the San Jose public school district?
Title: Federal Appeals Court Overturns Decision, Reinstates Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Student Clubs at San Jose Public Schools
Introduction
In a significant ruling, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has voted 9-2 in favor of reinstating the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) student clubs at a public school district in San Jose, California. The court has deemed the previous district’s actions as a violation of the FCA’s right to free exercise of religion under the First Amendment. This decision ensures that religious student clubs like the FCA can have equal access to campus without compromising their faith.
Background
The controversy arose when the school district accused the Christian club of allegedly discriminating against LGBTQ students by limiting who could serve as club leaders. However, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that the school district had unfairly applied a “double standard” by not treating the FCA on par with secular groups and penalizing it solely based on its religious beliefs.
Equal Access and Religious Freedom
The court emphasized that religious groups, like any other club, have the right to require their leaders to share their fundamental beliefs. The ruling drew parallels with women’s clubs and honors clubs, which also set standards for membership based on gender or moral character. It argued that it is only fair that a religious group be allowed to have leaders who align with its core principles.
The Impact and Response
While the school district expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, it acknowledged and respected the role of the judicial system in democracy. The district affirmed its commitment to implementing policies that discourage discrimination in district programs and activities.
FCA representatives, the Christian Legal Society, and the law firm Seto Wood & Schweickert LLP, which collectively represent the FCA, released a statement expressing their satisfaction with the ruling. They highlighted the struggles that FCA groups had faced, including harassment and protests, due to their requirement for student leaders to adhere to their faith. The groups expressed their enthusiasm to resume serving campuses and build positive relationships with teachers and students once again.
Commenting on the ruling, Daniel Blomberg, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, a legal advocate for religious freedom, emphasized the importance of fair treatment for religious student clubs. He asserted that the ruling ensures that religious students in San Jose and throughout California are treated fairly.
Steve McFarland, the director of the Christian Legal Society’s Center for Law & Religious Freedom, stressed the significance of respecting every student’s religious beliefs and treating all students with dignity.
Conclusion
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling reinstating the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ student clubs at a public school district in San Jose, California, is a significant step towards upholding religious freedom and ensuring equal access for religious students. This decision reaffirms the rights of religious groups to have leaders who share their fundamental beliefs, while also emphasizing the importance of treating every student with dignity and respect in public schools.
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