Jesuit college bars pro-life group for 'bias'

The Gonzaga School of Law, a Jesuit college in Washington state, refuses to recognize a student pro-life group that requires its leaders be Christians, saying the religious restriction is discriminatory.

“Why not allow a Jewish, Muslim or nonreligious student to be head of the caucus, when they could be equally concerned about pro-life issues as a Christian student?” Gonzaga spokesman Dale Goodwin said in a telephone interview yesterday.

The law school administration’s decision not to recognize Gonzaga Pro-Life Caucus, which prevents the group from meeting on campus and applying for funding, was prompted by the Student Bar Association (SBA). It called the group biased.

“The university supports the SBA in this case because any form of discrimination seems unwarranted,” Mr. Goodwin said.
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By the facts presented I think I would side with them on this. I can’t think of any good reason to restrict an anti-abortion groups membership to just Christians. This is a battle where our allies range from those of different religious faiths to others of good will. To have an open membership but to restrict the leadership gives no advantage to the groups mission, but is a hindrance instead.