tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post1336682288026860967..comments2024-03-28T13:08:26.494-04:00Comments on Religion & American Law: Concerns over Muslim Students’ Rights at Catholic UniversityBrantley Gasawayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02894338478934982958noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-15682831853760889632011-11-02T01:35:09.639-04:002011-11-02T01:35:09.639-04:00While on the outside it may look like an establish...While on the outside it may look like an establishment case, i feel this case is a violation of free exercise. I believe the school should allow the club to exist as well as provide them a spot to congregate, yet is not obligated to fund them in any sort of way. Seeing as this is a private university with a dominance of Catholicism, these Muslim students made a choice to attend such a school. While the school needs to be fair in order to not hinder their free exercise, the Muslim students should not be allowed to argue and take issue with the religious symbols in the classrooms.Jean Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692565128874834141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-78875696992086619382011-11-01T23:24:38.928-04:002011-11-01T23:24:38.928-04:00I also agree that this is not an establishment iss...I also agree that this is not an establishment issue as the university is a private and Catholic institution. Instead, I believe that the school is taking an appropriate approach to the matter by allowing these Muslim students to practice their religion in classrooms. Regardless if there are christian symbols in these classrooms or not, it should not matter due to the fact that these students decided to apply and attend a religiously affiliated university. If they feel the religious symbolism is that big of an issue perhaps they could move their club off campus or to a more secular spot.Marissa Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17267209166221153485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-31925144747473066962011-11-01T23:11:29.108-04:002011-11-01T23:11:29.108-04:00Considering the Catholic University is a private i...Considering the Catholic University is a private institution that does not attest to having entirely secular purposes, the university has the ability to refuse to provide this club a room through university sponsorship. The club should be allowed to form, or else the institution would be infringing on the group’s free exercise. However, the university is not obligated to provide the club funding. Nevertheless, if the university receives federal tax exemption, according to Bob Jones University v. United States, religious intoleration in an educational environment could be construed as “contrary to public policy.” Nevertheless, forcing a Catholic university to violate its dogma also appears to be violating free exercise.Kathryn M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15143712660663893424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-13679965367610183922011-11-01T22:57:44.158-04:002011-11-01T22:57:44.158-04:00As was mentioned, this isn’t necessarily an establ...As was mentioned, this isn’t necessarily an establishment issue, but rather an issue pertaining to the ability to practice religion freely. I think this issue has deeper roots. Catholic University is a private institution – and as the name indicates, it is a Catholic institution, and as their website states, “Catholic Faith is the heart of the Catholic University of America.” Clearly, the administration is proving themselves tolerable to other religions by admitting students of different faiths. Not only that, they are allowing minority groups to congregate and form clubs. Personally, I believe these Muslim students are going too far in their demands and taking for granted the fact that they are even given the opportunity to receive an education, let alone form a club, at a Catholic institution.BryceShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14978573437545812091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-55964779179058089612011-10-31T18:39:50.805-04:002011-10-31T18:39:50.805-04:00I agree with Harry; this isn't establishment a...I agree with Harry; this isn't establishment at all-- Catholic University is a private school, and the establishment clause deals strictly with state endorsed religions. No matter how favorable the university acts towards a specific religion or against specific religions, they can't violate the establishment clause because it's not a state institution.PamelaRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15528391094567499989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-68373321227303697422011-10-31T18:19:25.461-04:002011-10-31T18:19:25.461-04:00It is ironic how this issue is being raised in our...It is ironic how this issue is being raised in our country's capital, but none the less preventing the Muslim students from forming a group and not providing them with a room to assemble is unconstitutional because there are not equal amounts of rights given to all student groups, specifically other religious groups. This prevention of allowing them to form a group and use the school's facilities is a violation on their free exercise of religion.Elena Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388732034156504903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-6276099165512818902011-10-31T10:59:45.056-04:002011-10-31T10:59:45.056-04:00I do not feel that this is an establishment issue,...I do not feel that this is an establishment issue, for there is no governmental endorsement or restrictions being placed on the Muslim students directly or indirectly. While I feel that the school must allow the Muslim club to form due to the limited open forum present, I do not think that the school has any obligation to provide a particular type of room to the students. It is not the responsibility of the university to provide an ideal place to worship; they need only provide a room.Harry R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14904234636407712910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-27980909816662904342011-10-31T10:25:12.265-04:002011-10-31T10:25:12.265-04:00I do believe that the school must allow this Musli...I do believe that the school must allow this Muslim organization to form a club if they give this opportunity to other groups. I think it is important in this case to examine if the religious symbols in the classroom are actively supporting one religion over another or simply passive symbols on the wall. I believe during a Muslim prayer session these may be an infringement on their free exercise.Zoey Goldnickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09540700689253341380noreply@blogger.com