InterVarsity gains legal victory against U of Iowa
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA has gained a legal victory in its effort to remain an official student organization at the University of Iowa.
Federal Judge Stephanie Rose ruled Sept. 27 the university violated the evangelical campus ministry's speech, association and free exercise of religion rights by barring InterVarsity for requiring its leaders to be Christians. In her 52-page opinion, Rose also said three university administrators would personally have to pay damages to InterVarsity that would be set at a later trial.
"We must have leaders who share our faith," said Greg Jao, InterVarsity's director of external relations, in a written statement. "No group -- religious or secular -- could survive with leaders who reject its values. We're grateful the court has stopped the University's religious discrimination, and we look forward to continuing our ministry on campus for years to come."...