Christian Union under Threat, Students Prepare for Legal Action
Christian Unions across Britain are preparing to take legal action as they face increasing persecution from university authorities which deem them 'too exclusive'.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Saturday, November 18, 2006, 10:32 (GMT)
Exeter Christian Union told the university Thursday that it would take legal action after 14 days if it was not fully re-instated as a student society by the guild with full rights and was allowed to call itself the Christian Union.
Emma Brewster, Christian Union worker at Exeter University said: "This is a fundamental issue of freedom of speech and of common sense. Legal action is the last thing we want to take, and we certainly don't relish it, but we are fully prepared to stand our ground for truth and freedom.
"We want to be able to study in a university that allows students - of all faiths and of none - to freely express their views from whatever stance they might take, be able to disagree with one another, and yet to co-exist alongside one another. Surely that is a truly democratic society?
"The Christian Union here, as at almost every university in the UK, holds the orthodox Christian views which churches of all denominations have also held for 2,000 years. In 50 years, this is the first complaint about our name and what we stand for.
"The action currently taken by the guild does nothing to enhance the reputation of Exeter University, or its students to prospective employers, nor does it demonstrate that this university seeks to encourage all its students to freely develop their ideas, thoughts, values and beliefs."
The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship has provided informal legal advice to the students at Exeter but expects a wave of legal action to follow.
"We haven't seen examples of this sort of discrimination against any other groups and we are puzzled by why Christian unions seem to be being singled out," said Andrea Minichiello Williams, public policy officer for the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship in The Times.
Meanwhile, the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), the umbrella group for the 350 Christian Unions across Britain, said that the Christian Unions faced a struggle "unprecedented" in their 83-year history.
Pod Bhogal, the fellowship's head of communications, said: "The politically correct agenda is being used to shut people up under the guise of tolerance when, in fact, you tolerate anything other than the thing you disagree with
The UCCF has asked that as many people as possible write to the Principal of Edinburgh University to express their disapproval at the censorship of the Christian Union at the university.
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Added: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 16:13 (BST)
To my brethren in Christ, go on, fight the good fight of faith and endure to the end. These indeed are the last days! If great Britain, the bastion of christianity, would turn around to join in the persecution of the church, then there's little hope left for humanity. However, the gates of hell shall not prevail...............the church must continue to soldier on, and NO ONE can stop the victory chant of HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! when the time comes!!!!!!!!
Bello James Barde, Bauchi, Nigeria
Added: Monday, November 27, 2006, 7:56 (GMT)
About 30 years ago I was an elected member of the council of the Students' Union at Birmingham University. It was a principle then that all affiliated societies had to be open to all students. This did not prevent free speech or stop any student preaching strong Evangelical views. It seems reasonable that a students' union should be able to stipluate that affiliated clubs and societies be open and democratic.
Francis McGonigal, Birmingham
Added: Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 21:38 (GMT)
Looking at the problem with attacks on Christians (that's the bottom line at the end of the day), it seems that overall, the whole issue of equality is very Communist based (old style). 'Every one is equal but some are more equal than others.'
Anything that is not bi-sexual is a perversion of nature and not what God intended for His creation. Why should Christians have to go along with this perversion in the name of 'Equality'? We have nothing against the Gays or the Transvestites (to call them by their proper address) as people, they were all created by God. We just cannot support their perverted way of life - it flys in the face of what we believe. If they feel free to live like that then they should respect our viewpoint also. If they feel they are above critiscism then they have a problem. The whole issue should always be open to discussion - not remain a closed shop in case someone is 'offended'!
Les Westley, St Laurent de Cuves. France
Added: Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 13:11 (GMT)
Indeed it pains to hear and read stories such as this. The once christian country as always been described is becoming a den of satan. I therefore encourage my fellow christian students to out clear for Christ in season and out of season.
Zechariah Marting, Bukuru/Nigeria
Added: Saturday, November 18, 2006, 11:07 (GMT)
It is not clear from the article why the CU was changed to the ECU. This has been reported inaccurately in the press and represents an impartial viewpoint.
The problem at Exeter was that the CU's doctrinal basis potentially excludes Catholics & other Christian denominations. Only those who signed the DB can join the CU committee, or speak at meetings. This has extended to refusing clergy who work at the university as Chaplains the opportunity to speak at meetings (yes, the Pope would not be able to talk as he would not sign their DB).
Therefore as a Catholic I refuse to go to join the CU. The CU's DB illustrates a highly Evangelical view, & as such it was deemed appropriate for its name to be changed to the ECU to correct the highly misleading impression that the CU was an umbrella organisation.
As the ECU has said, it does not represent non-evangelical Christians, so why the problem with changing the name? I am pro CU and think they do good work on campus, but due to their DB they are NOT a Union of Christian and this lead to the name change.
Dave, Exeter
