The Shaming of Christian Schools

The president of William Jessup University (WJU) – Dr. John Jackson – in Rocklin, California attests to the aggressive nature of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) in bullying his Christian school to violate their tenets regarding human sexuality.

The federal government allows religious organizations to be exempt from Title IX mandates where they violate their religious beliefs.  However, the Obama Administration has interpreted those mandates to include transgender discrimination.  So the DOE has published (online) the name of every college in America that applied for a religious exemption to regulations elevating “gay rights” in employment and housing and other benefits.

The pro-LGBT activist group – Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – sued the DOE to “out” the colleges and publicly shame them (or try to).  HRC argued that students have a right to know which schools have been “granted the legal right to discriminate against them.”

More than 200-colleges comprise the list.  Dr. Jackson of WJU – one of those listed – is determined to use the list as a badge of honor.  “We’re committed to biblical authority and we’re committed to teaching in a God-honoring environment,” he tells OneNewsNow.  Jackson insists it’s not about discrimination – it’s about freedom of religion; and he’s been left with very little choice.  “At the federal level, the Department of Education has become increasingly aggressive in some areas of human sexuality – and then also the sanctity of life,” he shares.

Andrew Beckwith of Massachusetts Family Institute says the list is the latest in a relentless campaign by HRC and others to suppress freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of association.  “If they can find a way to eliminate federal funding of student loans, tax exemptions for property values and income by the school – any one of which would be almost a death blow to many schools – they will do that,” says Beckwith.

Jackson says he’s ready. “If it ever comes to that point,” he vows, “Jessup will not compromise our biblical convictions – and the Lord will provide a way for us to continue doing the ministry we’re called to do.”

Well-known names on the list include: Biola University, Brigham Young University, Criswell College, Liberty University, Pepperdine University, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

So even though the 1st Amendment prohibits the government from making any laws respecting the free exercise of religious liberty, this Administration violates the Constitution for the LGBT individuals engaged in sexual perversion (according to the Creator who grants us certain unalienable rights) at the cost of religious freedom.      

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel