Entry: Freedom of association 101

As ugly as the discrimination is (is it very Christian to exclude others?), I have to agree that the clubs shouln't be banned from campus. After all, would any homosexual students actually want to join such a group? Or would a campus republican/democrat club attract others of the opposite persuasion? The clubs could remove the bans, but homosexuals would still be unwelcome members, especially if the club started discussing certain issues.

Just as religious groups shouldn't try to force (by encouraging legislation of their morality) their beliefs on the public, the public shouldn't force religious groups to change their "morality." Even if it is a buffet type of morality where the practitioners pick the parts that support their bigotry and ignore others that don't fit their tastes.

Posted by Jason at July 1, 2005 5:03 PM

Those on the Left should be cautious about depriving those with non-PC views from organizing groups with a non-PC focus (or they will find non-PC thinkers banding together to take over PC groups).

Posted by krm at July 1, 2005 10:33 PM

My question is, why can't rugby teams discriminate against gay rugby players? Why can't private, non-government bodies (i.e. businesses, clubs, religious organizations, etc.) choose who can and cannot be a member of their group?

Should the NBA be forced to stop discriminating against short people and hire a couple of Little People?

Should Abercrombie and Fitch be forced to hire goths? What about Hot Topic and applicants wearing Abercrombie and Fitch?

People that support anti-discrimination laws, I believe, don't really believe that diversity works. After all, why not let a white supremacist company hire only white people? If diversity really works, don't you believe that a more diverse company will defeat them in the end? Let them hire whoever they like, and if they choose to be insular and prejudiced, the market will prove them wrong. Diversity laws are only needed if you believe that a company of all-white employees will defeat a mixed-race company by virtue of their whiteness.

Posted by Kacie Landrum at July 3, 2005 6:07 PM

As ugly as the discrimination is (is it very Christian to exclude others?)

It certainly is. Prostitutes and taxcollectors who have a genuine interest in reforming should be allowed in, without question.



If the goal of someone joining is to intimidate, offend, and obstruct the group, then they should be thrown out.



Legal denial of the right of a place to meet, or even allowing only inconvient places, is one of the oldest forms of religious persecurtion. England's "Five Mile Act, " forbiding Dissenters to meet within five miles of a town or crossroads, is an excellent example.

Posted by AB at July 3, 2005 8:39 PM