afleitch
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« on: November 23, 2006, 05:45:02 AM » |
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« edited: November 23, 2006, 05:51:06 AM by afleitch »
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Christian Unions have been threatened with suspension and expulsion from Student Unions across the UK and some are resorting to legal action. Before you spit out your coffee here’s a quick 101 on why this action is taking place.
The problem Christian Unions face is not that they are ‘Christian’ and being 'suppressed' because of that fact but that they are exclusive organisations and often refuse to abide by Student Union rules and guidance yet accept Student Union financing and make use of their facilities. One such general rule is that all positions within the SU and affiliated clubs and societies must be democratically elected. Some Christian Unions however have ‘elected’ positions within their society by praying to God and being ‘guided’ to reach a certain position without any secret, countable ballot being cast.
My own universities Christian Union was severely criticized for refusing to follow the unions diversity guidelines (even the Muslim Students Association managed that) or allow non Christians to speak or debate in Christian Union organised debates again contradicting Student Union rules. (the Birmingham Christian Union has been pulled up for this)
In another Scottish university (which is currently investigating this so I won’t name names) the Gay and Lesbian Society for example invited a member of the Christian Union to speak on their own terms at an organised debate on religion and homosexuality, but they refused to return the favour when a member of the Gay and Lesbian Society wished to speak at a debate held by the Christian University on homosexuality. When the Student Union demanded that they adhere to the rules and allow an opposing voice to be represented in the debate they called off the debate completely. (There have also been complaints of harrasment outside other union societies meetings by the Christian Union including harassment of the elected 'womans officer.')
Furthermore from personal experience many CU’s are anti-Catholic and almost ‘Paisleyite’ in their rhetoric. Catholics are begrudgingly welcomed but as friends of mine have testified, leave due to a harsh and unsympathetic atmosphere. They monopolise the term ‘Christian’ but are very exclusive in their own definition of what it means to be Christian; they are dogmatic evangelical organizations and generally unwelcoming to any Christian who does not fit their own world view.
So it doesn’t surprise me at all that despite disregarding the rules of the Students Union and being abrasive towards outside participation yet making use of Union funds and union property some CU’s are now threatening to resort to legal action for being suspended from certain university student unions. They cry ‘free speech’ despite ignoring it themselves and claim that their message is being censored despite being guilty of censoring opposing views.
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