In 2019, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order known as the "Free Inquiry Rule," which requires universities and colleges to respect and protect the First Amendment rights of faith-based campus groups.
At the time, the Trump administration said the rule would insure that "institutions that receive federal funds promote free inquiry, free expression and academic freedom, and protect free speech on college campuses. … In regard to religious student organizations, the final regulations help ensure that religious organizations, as well as their student members, fully retain their right to free exercise of religion."
Now, President Biden and the Department of Education want to rescind the rule and do away with protections for religious students. For example, those who want the leaders of their Christian group to reflect Christian faith traditions with authenticity and integrity could be forced to accept and allow an atheist to run for club president by "woke" universities.
In addition, Christian organizations could be banned from university property and be falsely labeled as a "hate group" if its charter or membership rules were based solely on the tenants of the Christian faith.
It is urgent that you act now as the Department of Education is only accepting comments from the public until Friday, March 24.
Submit your comment to the Department of Education, urging it to not remove protections for faith-based campus groups. We have provided a sample comment for you to submit.
