InterVarsity had been on the University of Iowa campus for over 25 years. But in 2018, the University expelled the group from the U of I campus for insisting that anyone in leadership must affirm its Christian beliefs. The University claimed that requirement was discriminatory.

Along with InterVaristy, UI kicked other religious groups off campus as well—including Sikhs, Muslims, and Latter-Day Saints—all for requiring the same thing of its leaders, simply that they embrace the groups' core beliefs.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a religious liberty law group, defended InterVarsity, and in a statement released to the media, said secular groups and "a few religious groups favored by the University"—were excluded from this mass ejection and got to stay on campus.

The Beckett Fund reports in the ruling last Friday, the court held that this discrimination was so egregious that the officers involved—and possibly even the University's president—would be personally accountable for any money InterVarsity lost fighting to stay on campus.

Greg Jao, Director of External Relations at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, stated "We must have leaders who share our faith.

"No group—religious or secular—could survive with leaders who reject its values. We're grateful the court has stopped the University's religious discrimination, and we look forward to continuing our ministry on campus for years to come."

The court noted that it had already warned the University of Iowa about discriminating against religious groups in another case—Business Leaders In Christ v. The University of Iowa. As reported by CBN News, B L in C was kicked off campus because the club rejected a gay student for a leadership position in the group. The university said the club discriminated against the student. But the club maintained the student would not agree to the group's statement of faith that views homosexual behavior as sinful.

In February, The Des Moines Register reported the court ruled against the University of Iowa, writing "the University of Iowa can't strip a Christian group of its status as a registered student organization based on its requirement that leaders follow its statement of faith, which includes not having sex outside of a marriage between a man and a woman."

According to the newspaper, in that decision, Judge Stephanie M. Rose said the university unevenly applies its policy and still allows other groups to limit access to leadership or membership based on their views.

So when the InterVarsity case came before Judge Rose a short time later, the judge's ruling expressed surprise that UI had done the same thing again in the InterVarsity case. The court stated it "would never have expected the University to respond to that order by homing in on religious groups" like InterVarsity, while "carving out explicit exemptions for other groups. But here we are."

Describing the University's conduct as "ludicrous" and "incredibly baffling," the court went on to say, it "did not know how a reasonable person could have concluded this was acceptable," since it "plainly" doubled down on the exact same conduct the court had already held unlawful.

Christian groups are fighting to keep or get official recognition on campuses all across the country. A more recent one was reported by CBN News earlier this month, when the Duke University student senate refused to give the Christian group, Young Life, official recognition as a campus student group because, like InterVarsity, Young Life requires its leaders to adhere to Christian teaching about sexuality. The senate said that policy was discriminatory. Without that official status, Young Life will have to continue to meet off-campus and can not participate in club fairs held on campus by other groups to recruit new members.

With the InterVarsity v. University of Iowa decision where a federal judge ruled resoundingly in InterVarsity's favor, Young Life and other Christian student groups can take heart. They may have a precedent they can take to court to help them fight for the right to choose their own leaders just like any other group. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Get Him!': Watch as Brave Man Rescues Portion of American Flag Being Burned by 'Pro-Hamas Agitators' [Video]

A Growing Global Movement of Parents Is Keeping Their Kids Free from Smartphones

Democrat Downplays That Bill Would Cost Trump His Secret Service Detail

Teacher's Union Accused of Laundering $1.5 Million to Bankroll Dem Governor Josh Shapiro's Campaign

Dan Bongino: 9 Reasons to Vote for Kamala Harris

New Comms Director for Kamala Harris Campaign Wants to Pack the Supreme Court and Defund the Police

Pro-Life Protester Sentenced to More Than 3 Years Behind Bars for Blocking Abortion Clinic

Ben Carson Gives Perfect Defense of Pro-Life Position and Much More, in Powerful Tucker Carlson Interview [Watch]

Pastor Faced Death Threats, Had to Go into Hiding after Revealing Political Beliefs: 'I Reject the Victimhood Mentality'

'Hey Mom, I'm Trans!': The Truth About the Gender Dysphoria Deception, from a Mom in the Middle of It

These Important Election Integrity Initiatives Might Be on Your 2024 Ballot

Harris Campaign Admits to Misleading Voters on Trump, Project 2025

Pro-Harris Media Scrambles to Erase 'Border Czar' from Her Resume as GOP Highlights Her Record

House Republicans Raise American Flags at Union Station in DC after Chaotic Protesting Hamas Supporters Took Down and Burned Flags

Netanyahu Hails Israeli-US Bond, Reminds Protesters Israel the 'Land of the Bible' for 4,000 Years

'Influencing the Culture': Megachurch Equipping Churches to Mobilize Voters Ahead of November Election

Pray: Elderly Trump Supporter Run Over in Front Yard

Elon Musk Says AI Must Be 'Pro-Human,' Is Alarmed by Technological Developments

The Man and the Motive: Behind Musk's War on the 'Woke Mind Virus,' and Why He Fights for Children

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Promises Bill Protecting Rights to Refuse Vaccines Is Coming