The 9th U.S. Court of Appeals will reconsider a previous judge's decision that requires a San Jose, California school district to recognize the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The San Jose Unified School District is objecting to the FCA's policy that prohibits LGBTQ students from serving as leaders in the club.
In August 2022, a three-panel judge decision ruled that the school district infringed on the FCA's rights when it pulled the group from its status as an official high school club or organization.
But this week, the federal court order vacated the panel's decision, and the San Francisco appeals court will consider arguments in the case the week of March 20, CBN News reports.
In a statement, the school district said it welcomed the 9th Circuit's decision to reconsider the case, saying, "our long-standing policy against discrimination in district programs and activities is fully consistent with the U.S. Constitution."
The FCA organization requires its members to agree to a "sexual purity statement" that declares the biblical description of marriage as "one man and one woman in a lifelong commitment."
In 2019, a Pioneer High School teacher criticized the Christian group and district officials later removed the group as an official high school club and forced the student group off campus.
Students tried to get approval to bring the FCA club back on campus, but the district denied their request. After discussions with district officials stalled, FCA and student leaders asked a federal court to order the district to allow the club access to campus.
Daniel Blomberg, the vice president and senior counsel for nonprofit religious liberty firm Becket Law, said in a statement that he is "confident the courts will continue to protect FCA's ability to choose leaders who are committed to its religious mission and its right to exist on campus just like every other student club."
Photo courtesy: Pixabay
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
