University of Iowa sued for expelling Christian student group over leadership faith requirement

A Christian student group has filed a lawsuit against the University of Iowa after the club was kicked off campus for requiring its leaders to pledge to uphold core values, including avoiding "sexual immorality."

According to The Washington Times, the university revoked the registration of Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) after one student complained that he was not selected for a leadership position because he is openly gay. BLinC, however, maintained that the man was rejected because he refused to uphold the group's religious beliefs.

While BLinC allows anyone to join the group regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the group requires its leaders to sign and uphold the group's statement of faith, which denounces "greed, racism, sexual immorality, and selfishness that all too often arise in business, political, and cultural institutions."

The university reportedly asked the club to amend its statement of faith and submit an "acceptable plan" for selecting leaders in order to regain its registered status.

As a de-registered group, BLinC will no longer receive university funding or have access to school facilities enjoyed by other student groups.

"This is 2017, not '1984,'" said Jacob Estell, student president of BLinC, said in a news release on Monday. "Our beliefs weren't made by us, and they can't be changed by us either — certainly not just to satisfy Orwellian government rules," he added.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a law firm representing the BLinC, filed a discrimination lawsuit against the university and is asking a federal court to rule that the school violated the group's constitutional rights.

"The university knows that what it is doing to BLinC is unfair, illegal, and unconstitutional," the complaint prepared by Becket stated, noting that university policy allows campus organizations to require members to believe a certain way.

The lawsuit contended that the university's decision to revoke the BLinC's registration was discriminatory in a way because other groups are allowed to uphold policies in picking their leaders.

"The Islamic organization Imam Mahdi reserves certain membership benefits, including leadership roles, to members who are Shia Muslims. The group also requires its leaders to 'refrain from major sins (kaba'ir) and endeavor to avoid minor sins (saga'ir),'" the lawsuit noted.

The complaint also pointed to the policy of the campus' pro-choice group, the Iowa Feminist Union, noting that the club limits its membership to students who "agree" with its "purposes and principles." Additionally, the group Students for Life requires members to hold "pro-life beliefs."