UC system's policy toward private Christian schools labeled discriminatory

UC system's policy toward private Christian schools labeled discriminatory

The University of California school system is being accused in a federal lawsuit of discriminating against Christian schools by denying recognition of college prep courses taught from a biblical worldview.

The lawsuit stems from policies in the UC school system that deny approval of courses from private Christian schools. The UC school system has refused to accept certain college prep courses taught by Calvary Chapel High School of Murrieta.

While attorneys on both sides of the issue agree that the UC school system has the right to set its admission standards, those with Advocates for Faith & Freedom (AFF) say the school system does not have the right to discriminate against those schools teaching from a Christian worldview. Bob Tyler, general counsel with the AFF, says several constitutional issues are involved.

"They're violating the right of speech and free exercise of religion to those schools when they tell them ... that if they teach [science] from any biblical worldview, it's unacceptable," Tyler explains. And it is unacceptable, he says, "because when a Christian high school addresses something and they give a Christian worldview to that subject, that doesn't mean it's wrong. In fact, we believe it's right -- but the UC school system looks at it and says it's absolutely wrong if taught from a Christian worldview."

Tyler says the case could have a far reaching impact because college and university systems in other states could follow California's lead if those policies are allowed to stand.

"The California university system is one of the top-ranked university systems in all of America," notes the attorney, "and universities across the country are watching this case to get an idea on how they will go about defining their curriculum standards or setting forth their admissions policies in the future."

A jury will decide whether the UC's decision is constitutional.