Posted on 07/05/2022 10:44:32 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
A judge issued a temporary block to a university policy that censored three Christian students who had expressed opposition to same-sex marriage on religious grounds.
Students Peter Perlot, Mark Miller and Ryan Alexander sued the University of Idaho over a policy in which they were barred from talking with a student about their views on same-sex marriage.
The three belong to the University of Idaho chapter of the Christian Legal Society, which holds traditional views on the definition of marriage and sexual ethics.
In an order released last week, Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye issued a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the university’s policies against the plaintiffs.
Nye noted that university officials targeted the plaintiffs over their specific religious views, namely their opposition to same-sex marriage.
“Defendants’ orders targeted the viewpoint of Plaintiffs’ speech. Both students and professors expressed opposing viewpoints to the views expressed by Plaintiffs without any type of intervention, let alone punishment,” wrote Nye.
“The disparity in Defendants’ approach is what bothers the Court most about this case and leans towards a finding that Defendants’ actions were designed to repress specific speech.”
Nye added that “the Court agrees Plaintiffs have a high likelihood of showing Defendants violated the First Amendment by issuing the no-contact orders based on the content and viewpoint of their speech.”
“Some may disagree with Plaintiffs’ religious beliefs. Such is each person’s prerogative and right. But none should disagree that Plaintiffs have a right to express their religious beliefs without fear of retribution. The Constitution makes that clear,” he added.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, a law firm helping to represent the three plaintiffs, released a press release Friday celebrating the injunction order.
“Peter, Mark, and Ryan are guaranteed the freedom under the First Amendment to discuss their faith on campus, just like every other student and faculty member,” said ADF Legal Counsel Mathew Hoffmann, as quoted in the press release.
“We’re pleased they are again free to exercise their constitutionally protected freedoms without fear of punishment, and we look forward to a final resolution of this case in their favor and, ultimately, in favor of free speech for everyone.”
In late April, the three students sued university officials after they were given “no-contact orders” from the school’s Office of Civil Rights & Investigations.
According to the lawsuit, the students attended an LGBT event on campus with the intention of representing a biblical perspective on marriage and sexual ethics.
When a student asked them about their views, they offered their perspectives and gave the unnamed student a note expressing an interest in continuing the dialogue.
Instead of the conversation continuing, the three students were given “no-contact orders,” which barred them from further communication with the student that they had dialogued with.
“The CLS members did not receive notice that anyone had complained about them and were not given an opportunity to review the allegations against them or defend themselves,” stated the suit.
“Instead of allowing the students to disagree civilly and respectfully with one another and to discuss these important issues, the University chose instead to censor Plaintiffs.”
In an earlier statemen to The Christian Post, university spokesperson Jodi Walker explained that the no-contact order was “a supportive measure available to a student under Title IX” and that “these supportive measures must be enacted” when a student requests them.
“When a complaint is made that qualifies under Title IX, the university must make the student aware of the supportive measures available,” said Walker at the time.
Sounds like an lib administration infestation deep in conservative land.
Would the school attempt to censor Muslim students for opposing same-sex marriage?
Would they “censor” students who expressed displeasure with the 2nd Amendment?
Idaho has been Republican for decades. In the past, two counties could be counted upon to go blue in a sea of red. Blaine County, home to Ketchum and the Sun Valley, and Latah County, home to the University of Idaho in, appropriately, Moscow, Idaho. Unfortunately, Ada County, home to the state capital of Boise may be headed that direction, too.
Idaho, like other red states has its pockets of loons. Usually mostly in the relatively larger cities. And always a bunch around the colleges.
All to faggotry the Woke surrender....
I was just going to post that same question.
This was a no-brainer - they had to decide this way or else come head to head with other (ree-li-juns ‘of peace’ for example)
Idaho is supposedly an overwhelmingly Republican state. This occurred at a public university supported by Idaho taxpayers? Where is the Governor on this? The President of the University should be fired, the trustees replaced and the Department that promulgated this nonsense should be dissolved.
not to hijack thread- but here is a kind of related issue i saw on newsmax the other day-
“Seattle police arrest street preacher for reading the Bible: ‘Risk to public safety’”
“Seattle police arrested a street preacher on charges of being a risk to public safety for reading his Bible aloud at a public park near an LGBT pride event.
Matthew Meinecke, who identifies himself as The Seattle Preacher on Twitter, was surrounded by Seattle police officers as he was reading his Bible and was subsequently arrested and fingerprinted at a police station before being released.
“SPD has enough resources to send 10 police officers to arrest a preacher reading his Bible in a public park. Because it’s such a horrible crime now!” Meinecke wrote on Twitter, posting a video showing his arrest.”
https://www.christianpost.com/news/seattle-police-arrest-street-preacher-reading-the-bible.html
They used the excuse that he ‘was in danger’ and ‘endangering others’ eivdently for preaching the word, and when ‘asked to stop’ he wouldn’t- so they claim they had to arrest him ‘for his own safety’ (according to his interview on newsmax)
Here is how the police worded it
“So at this point, we can no longer stand by. The risk that you pose for public safety by remaining here can be mitigated if you leave. It’s your last chance,” a police officer can be heard saying.
[[not to hijack thread- but here is a kind of related issue i saw on newsmax the other day-]]
What i mean is that people’s rights are being trampled- and will likely increase as we near end times spoken of in bible-
I got a kick out of their names being Peter, Mark and Ryan. Come on Ryan it should have been John or Paul..
Idaho, like other red states has its pockets of loons. Usually mostly in the relatively larger cities. And always a bunch around the colleges.
***********
When it comes to overseeing their public schools and state colleges, red state citizens have fallen asleep on guard duty. Complacent heads need to roll.
Nope and we all see the glaring inconsistency of free speech envisioned by the left. Pretty much the left is now at this point only for selective free speech - for them but not you. What is sadder is the media itself wants to limit free speech to their opponents.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.