Another school denies a Christian student

Several years ago, Julea Ward was a graduate student in the counseling program at Eastern Michigan University. Students had the option of referring clients to another counselor if a case conflicted with their values, which reportedly is a common and accepted practice in the profession. A potential client wanted counseling about a homosexual relationship. Because the client’s sexual behavior conflicted with Ward’s Christian beliefs, she asked her supervisor for advice. The supervisor told Ward to refer the client to another student.

Afterward, the school wanted Ward to receive indoctrination training to change the way she viewed homosexuals. She refused. After a formal hearing, the school expelled her. Ward sued on the grounds that the school violated her religious freedom. A lower court ruled in the school’s favor, but the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling and remanded the case. The court said there was enough evidence for a reasonable jury to determine that Ward was expelled because of her religious beliefs. The school settled with Ward.

Considering that we still have religious freedom in this country, you’d think taxpayer-funded schools would avoid violating students’ rights. Unfortunately, the infringement continues. Dustin Buxton said that community college in Maryland denied him admission to its radiation therapy program because of his Christian beliefs.

The Community College of Baltimore County’s interview panel asked Buxton what he based his morals on. Unless it was a trick question, most believers would say they base what’s right and wrong on the teachings of their faith. Buxton said, “My faith.” Apparently, that was the wrong answer. The program’s director said Buxton lost points because he “also brought up religion a great deal during the interview,” although Buxton denies this claim.

What if Buxton had answered, “I base my morals on what I think is right or wrong. I am my highest authority,” or, “Morality is a Western concept. I don’t believe in it”? I’ll go out on a limb and say he probably would have been accepted.

Only one school official agreed to meet with Buxton to discuss the matter. In what can be described as vindictive, the school blocked him from registering for a class outside the radiation therapy program. It seems officials also lied about not being able to get in touch with him.

Ward and Buxton’s cases are blatant examples of secularists’ attempts to drive Christianity into the closet. It wasn’t too long ago that Christianity was a respected part of this country’s very existence. Now Christians are being booted out of institutions they help support for conducting their lives according to their faith.

We render unto Caesar. A government hostile to our beliefs takes money from our paychecks to fund programs we oppose. We submit to the authority God appointed over us. We pray for those in authority over us. Yet, when we exercise the rights American men and women died to protect and speak openly against indecency, we’re castigated. Will that same government one day outlaw preaching the gospel?