Supreme Court weighs case of Christian group that bars gays [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Reuters

James Vicini WASHINGTON

The Supreme Court considered on Monday whether a university can legally deny recognition to a Christian student group that excludes gays and nonbelievers.

The high court appeared sharply split as it heard arguments in a case that pits anti-discrimination principles against religious freedom. The case could have important implications for how public universities, colleges and schools must accommodate campus religious groups.

Liberal justices asked whether campus groups could legally exclude women, minorities or those with disabilities while conservatives asked how far universities could go to require that groups admit student members with opposing views.

Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia asked whether a campus Republican club must admit Democrats or whether a Christian group must allow atheists to join and even conduct Bible classes.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63I6AZ20100419