Fuller Seminary can expel students for extramarital activity, same-sex marriage and still receive gov't aid: court
A judge has ruled that Fuller Theological Seminary can expel students who have engaged in extramarital activity or have entered a same-sex marriage, and still receive federal funding.
Two former students expelled for being in same-sex marriages filed suit against the California-based evangelical school, claiming that the standards violated Title IX Civil Rights law.
United States District Judge Consuelo Marshall granted Fuller's motion to dismiss the suit on Wednesday, ruling that the seminary met the standards for a religious exemption to Title IX.
"Here, although the text of the Religious Organization Exemption may be read to require the 'religious organization' and 'educational institution' to be two separate entities, the ordinary meaning of the term 'organization' is sufficiently broad to include [Fuller's] board of directors," wrote Marshall.
"... the Title IX claim seeks to hold FTS liable for expelling Plaintiffs for entering same-sex marriages, which are contrary to the school's religious tenets. Thus, the Religious Organization Exemption applies."
Daniel Blomberg, senior attorney at Becket, a law firm that specializes in religious liberty cases and which represented Fuller, celebrated the district court ruling in a statement released Thursday.
"This is a huge win for seminaries, yeshivas, madrasas, and every other religious institution of higher education," stated Blomberg.
"That's because houses of worship, and not government officials, should be deciding how to teach the next generation of religious leaders."
Fuller Seminary can expel students for gay marriage says court - The Christian Post