A smaller battle in North Carolina

Unlike the high-profile showdown in North Carolina between a governor who signed a bill into law to protect the privacy of women and girls in public restrooms and changing rooms and an overstepping, bloated federal government that accuses the state of violating federal law, this battle is quieter yet important in its own right.

Grace Christian Life, a registered student group made up of Christians at North Carolina State University, filed a federal lawsuit in late April accusing the university of violating its members’ First Amendment rights. School officials told the group its members have to stop talking to other students about the club in the student union unless they have a permit.

After obtaining the requisite permit, Grace Christian Life set up a table and circulated among the students. The group was told members could speak from anywhere in the room. But a Student Involvement Office member asked them to stop circulating and remain behind their assigned table. Grace Student Life contends that other club members have been allowed to leave tables, hand out literature, etc., without orders to stop.

Alan Sears of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which is representing the student group in its lawsuit, writes:

“Curiously, on that same day, as well as several others, Grace Christian Life members noted that representatives of other clubs were talking about their themes and handing out literature all over the student union. But NC State allowed these clubs to leave their tables and engage with students … and the watchdog from the Student Involvement Office said nothing to them at all.”

As expected, the university fired back and called the suit “frivolous” and “without merit.” ADF attorney Tyson Langhofer invoked the “marketplace of ideas” role such schools are supposed to play. But they haven’t served that function for a long time … unless your ideas are leftist and godless.

Americans are exasperatingly litigious, but if Christians want to continue exercising their religious freedom, they must fight fire with fire and attack within the legal system. Yes, attack. We shouldn’t concede any ground against a ridiculously and embarrassingly powerful anti-Christian lobby that seeks total compliance from believers. Whether the subject is a student club or a business, Christians must be willing to go to court against these secular entities.

That’s what the other side is doing—and effectively. Proof: Purportedly rational human beings are debating whether grown men pretending to be women should walk right into the women’s restroom, without regard for the modesty, privacy, and safety of women and girls. Why aren’t feminists, with their “war on women” claims, all over this? They’re busy advocating death for unborn babies, decency, and the religious freedom of Christians—to the detriment of even the unbeliever.

Still, we’re called to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us and curse us, for God “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” But His command doesn’t mean we can’t fight through the legal system to protect what the U.S. Constitution guarantees.