Posted on 12/29/2021 5:54:09 PM PST by marshmallow
Fuller Theological Seminary can hold students to its Biblical beliefs about marriage
A federal appeals court last week upheld a California seminary’s expulsion of two students for violating the school’s sexual standards policy that forbids gay marriage. The judges ruled that a religious exemption to Title IX, written to ensure gender equality in education, allows the seminary to enforce its Biblical standards.
Joanna Maxon and Nathan Brittsan, both students at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, sued the school in 2019 after it asked them to leave because they entered into same-sex marriages. Fuller’s sexual standards policy, which all students agree to follow, defines marriage as between a man and a woman and prohibits extramarital sex while attending the school.
After a U.S. District Court sided with the school in October 2020, the two students appealed. A panel of three Democratic appointees to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s ruling.
The judges rejected two main arguments from the students. They tried to say the religious exemption to Title IX did not apply because a board of trustees rather than an external organization such as a church controlled the school. Judges also rejected the argument that Fuller’s religious tenets are unclear and need more investigation to see whether they truly allow marriage only between one man and one woman. The judges said it would be inappropriate for a court to second-guess the school’s understanding of its own beliefs.
“The religious exemption applies to shield these religiously motivated decisions that would otherwise violate Title IX’s prohibition on sex discrimination,” the court wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at wng.org ...
I’m shocked Fuller kicked them out to begin with
Is the physical plant of Fuller what used to be Ambassador College?
No.
I don’t know the schools history outside of books on the Evangelical movement
Was the only reason they went there to harass the school on this? For what reason would they want to study something they obviously don’t agree with or want to adhere to?
DING DING DING! Winner winner chicken dinner 😆😆
Good news, but Fuller has been playing pussyfoot with the issue. Glad the seminary stood with the Biblical position, but the fight was brought on by its own wishy-washy actions.
No, I remember reading some time ago that Fuller was becoming more “accepting” of homosexual students as long behavior was in line...Fuller was warned the position would put them in jeopardy.
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