Gonzaga denies official status to abortion foes

Seattle Times ^ | 12/21/03 | Tan Vinh

[the invisib1e hand]

institutions have no cajones.

[07055]

I don't understand why they are saying that officers of a Pro Life group must be Christian?

It would make sense if it were the "Christian Law Group." But, can't non-Christians also be be Pro Life? Shouldn't *everyone*, regardless of their religious beliefs, be Pro Life?

[narses]

This is my town. I will be speaking with the President of Gonzaga about this. It is, if accurate, outrageous. But then the staff has betrayed the President more than once, such as when they allowed Gore to speak or OK'd the V***** Monologues. He is fighting hard, but he is one man.

[verity]

116-year-old Jesuit school

Therein lies the problem.

[sausageseller]

I don't understand why they are saying that officers of a Pro Life group must be Christian?

SS. Do you not think they should be able to set their own rules?

Do you not believe in the freedom of association?

[John Beresford Tipton]

Post 3 hit the nail on the head.

As for your:
"Do you not think they should be able to set their own rules?
Do you not believe in the freedom of association?"

They can set any damn rules they want, they can associate with whom they damn want, but *NOT* when they intend to put their hand in the till and collect fees paid in by those against whom they intend to discriminate.

[07055]

Yes, they can set their own rules. I just think their rules are shortsighted if they intend to accomplish their goal of saving the unborn. Their rules communicate the message that being Pro Life is a narrow sectarian view.

[Teacher317]

Odd... the Black Student Caucus has never had a white officer, yet they do not suffer from attacks for their obvious racism.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"the Black Student Caucus has never had a white officer, yet they do not suffer from attacks for their obvious racism."

Do they have in their charter that no honkeys, only brothers, can be officers?

[reed_inthe_wind]

To fellow Catholics: think twice before sending your children to a Jesuit College. The Catholic Newman Centers at most State schools are run by diocesan priests who tend to uphold orthodox beliefs.

[LS]

That was my thought: apparently the club is NOT structured as a "Christian" group but as a "pro-life" group. Can't Buddhists be "pro-life" in the sense that they oppose abortion (if they do? Just using that as a "what if?")

[LS]

Not if they are honest. If they call themselves the CHRISTIAN "Pro-Life" caucus, I have no problem, but the way it is structured, it is false advertising.

[gcruse]

Do you not believe in the freedom of association?

They can exclude blacks to keep their F or A, too, I guess.
Just don't expect the school to recognize bigotry.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"This is my town."
Is this from Boss Tweed by way of Al Capone?

"I will be speaking with the President of Gonzaga about this."
If he spends time listening to you, he has waaaay too much time on his hands.

[sausageseller]

but *NOT* when they intend to put their hand in the till and collect fees paid in by those against whom they intend to discriminate.

SS. Yea right?(saccasm off)

Do you think they let a person be president , sit on the board or much less be a member of any group on campus like,lets say the Homosexual lesbian alliance, ( made up for discussion purpose) who would hold views contrary to theirs. These groups discriminate all the time, And collect those same fees. Every one of those groups have "thought discrimination" but thats ok just don't say you need to be a christian cause thats wrong. And the money in the till is the christians too. Just don't give them any, right?

[sausageseller]

And if they want to have a " narrow sectarian view" they can't?

[John Beresford Tipton]

"Those against whom they intend to discriminate" are non Christians who hold their *SAME* prolife views.
This should be readily understandable unless you believe that only Christians can be prolife.

[Night Hides Not]

My wife brought this thread to me a little while ago. Knowing Father Spitzer, and having watched the goings on at my school from afar since graduating many years ago, I find no contradiction with this action.

I know for personal experience that the Gonzaga community reaches out to all. I was not a Catholic when I studied there, though I converted to Catholicism six years ago. My religious preference was not a factor in their treatment of me. Every trip I make back to the campus is like a welcome homecoming, because Gonzaga was my home for four years.

To me, the principle is simple: if you're going to ask for funds paid from student fees, you can't discriminate as to who's a member, or an officer, of that organization. OTOH, I can't imagine the University ever allowing student funds for an organization that espouses views that contradict the mission of the University, or the Church.

As to Al Gore speaking on campus, I was unaware that he had. However, if he was a Senator, or Vice President, at the time, I can't see how you could un-invite the man, especially if he was speaking at the Foley Center.

Father Spitzer took action immediately when he heard of the V-Monologues coming to campus, and booted them off campus. Also, he prohibited the NOW Gang from using campus facilities for promotion of their causes. The soul of Father Spitzer comes through handsomely in his book, Healing the Culture.

Gonzaga, OTOH, has welcomed Rev. Jesse Peterson on campus.

I cannot speak about the liberal nature of other Jesuit campuses. I can only speak from my knowledge and experience that Gonzaga is definitely not liberal, as we construe the word today.

Gonzaga is the jewel of the Inland Empire, and I would be proud to send my children there.

[07055]

And if they want to have a " narrow sectarian view" they can't?

Of course they can. People are free to be narrow minded if they want to be.