A recent survey shows that universities are increasingly providing space for students of all faiths. Despite push back from groups who want all religion erased from the public square, these schools should be commended for providing meeting space for all students. Learn more about the case by visiting Firstliberty.org/Briefing.
Thank you for joining us for the First Liberty Briefing, an exclusive podcast where host Jeremy Dys—also First Liberty Senior Counsel—provides an insider’s look at the stories, cases, people and laws that have made America the world’s leader in protecting religious liberty.
A recent survey of Big 10 colleges reveals that universities are increasingly providing space for religious students on campus. According to the report, these new spaces on campus serve students from a variety of faith backgrounds. Some use the rooms for prayer and others for religious gatherings.
But, not everyone thinks the rooms should be used for just religious purposes, however.
The Ohio State University student government passed a resolution urging campus leaders to reconsider the interfaith space as religious-use only.
Activists off-campus questioned the University of Iowa, suggesting that setting aside rooms for use by religious students “unconstitutionally entangled itself with religion.”
That, of course, is simply the political posturing of ideologues that dislike any religion appearing in public.
The efforts by these universities are to be commended. Providing space for religious students to meet is an important means of recognizing the diverse, religious background of its student body.
At the same time, it should be unnecessary.
Religious students should be able to use campus space on the same terms as secular students. To the extent certain religious backgrounds require specific space, the efforts by these Big 10 universities are to be commended.
Yet, it is important to remind our coeds that, as in all of life, religious liberty means religious students are to be welcomed and tolerated in the university setting.
To learn how First Liberty is protecting Religious Liberty for all Americans, visit FirstLiberty.org.
First Liberty Institute is the largest organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans. Find out more here.
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