[YpbWF5Yo]

http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes...t-crosses.html

The Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights confirmed that it is investigating allegations that Catholic University violated the human rights of Muslim students by not allowing them to form a Muslim student group and by not providing them rooms without Christian symbols for their daily prayers.

The investigation alleges that Muslim students “must perform their prayers surrounded by symbols of Catholicism – e.g., a wooden crucifix, paintings of Jesus, pictures of priests and theologians which many Muslim students find inappropriate.”

A spokesperson for the Office of Human Rights told Fox News they had received a 60-page complaint against the private university. The investigation, they said, could take as long a six months.

The complaint was filed by John Banzhaf, an attorney and professor at George Washington University Law School. Banzhaf has been involved in previous litigation against the school involving the same-sex residence halls. He also alleged in his complaint involving Muslim students that women at the university were being discriminated against. You can read more on those allegations by clicking here.

A spokesman for Catholic University released a statement to Fox News indicating they had not seen any legal filings — but would respond once they do.

“Our faithfulness to our Catholic tradition has also made us a welcome home to students of other religions,” said Victor Nakas, associate vice president for public affairs. “No students have registered complaints about the exercise of their religions on our campus.”

In a 2010 interview with National Public Radio, university president John Garvey acknowledged that they don’t set aside prayer rooms for Muslim students.

“We make classrooms available, or our chapels are places where they can pray,” he told NPR. “We don’t offer Halal meat, although there are always meals that conform to Halal regulations, that allow students to do what they want.”

Banzhaf said that it is technically not illegal for Catholic University to refuse to provide rooms devoid of religious icons

Here's the flip side to the religious debate on the atheist thread...so maybe I'm just not following or I missed something but why would Muslims go to a Catholic university? I understand there are some private colleges that have degree programs that others don't or that are better than others but how does a Catholic college having crosses violate a Muslims human rights? It almost seems contradictory that a Muslim would go to any Christian college. I know that private religious schools accept people not of that faith but I wouldn't expect a Muslim in a Catholic school.

I'm just confused as to what they would expect to find in a Catholic college. I mean I suppose the college could offer them another room but do they have to? The lawyer says legally they don't have to.

And what's wrong with same-sex dorms? I lived in an all girl dorm for three years in college. It was kind of irritating being around all those girls but I don't know why anyone would be offended by it. (Per the reference that this lawyer was involved in previous litigation against the school about same sex dorms).

I honestly don't know why anyone would want to go to a Catholic school or any religious school but that's their deal.

I don't know - this just really perplexes me honestly. Although Islam, Christianity and Judaism are the three Abrahamic religions and share a lot of similarities...we all know they don't like to hear that they are similar. I guess I'm just confused as to why they're surprised about Christian symbols everywhere.

[assohillA]

http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes...t-crosses.html

The Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights confirmed that it is investigating allegations that Catholic University violated the human rights of Muslim students by not allowing them to form a Muslim student group and by not providing them rooms without Christian symbols for their daily prayers.

The investigation alleges that Muslim students “must perform their prayers surrounded by symbols of Catholicism – e.g., a wooden crucifix, paintings of Jesus, pictures of priests and theologians which many Muslim students find inappropriate.”

A spokesperson for the Office of Human Rights told Fox News they had received a 60-page complaint against the private university. The investigation, they said, could take as long a six months.

The complaint was filed by John Banzhaf, an attorney and professor at George Washington University Law School. Banzhaf has been involved in previous litigation against the school involving the same-sex residence halls. He also alleged in his complaint involving Muslim students that women at the university were being discriminated against. You can read more on those allegations by clicking here.

A spokesman for Catholic University released a statement to Fox News indicating they had not seen any legal filings — but would respond once they do.

“Our faithfulness to our Catholic tradition has also made us a welcome home to students of other religions,” said Victor Nakas, associate vice president for public affairs. “No students have registered complaints about the exercise of their religions on our campus.”

In a 2010 interview with National Public Radio, university president John Garvey acknowledged that they don’t set aside prayer rooms for Muslim students.

“We make classrooms available, or our chapels are places where they can pray,” he told NPR. “We don’t offer Halal meat, although there are always meals that conform to Halal regulations, that allow students to do what they want.”

Banzhaf said that it is technically not illegal for Catholic University to refuse to provide rooms devoid of religious icons

Here's the flip side to the religious debate on the atheist thread...so maybe I'm just not following or I missed something but why would Muslims go to a Catholic university? I understand there are some private colleges that have degree programs that others don't or that are better than others but how does a Catholic college having crosses violate a Muslims human rights? It almost seems contradictory that a Muslim would go to any Christian college. I know that private religious schools accept people not of that faith but I wouldn't expect a Muslim in a Catholic school.

I'm just confused as to what they would expect to find in a Catholic college. I mean I suppose the college could offer them another room but do they have to? The lawyer says legally they don't have to.

And what's wrong with same-sex dorms? I lived in an all girl dorm for three years in college. It was kind of irritating being around all those girls but I don't know why anyone would be offended by it. (Per the reference that this lawyer was involved in previous litigation against the school about same sex dorms).

I honestly don't know why anyone would want to go to a Catholic school or any religious school but that's their deal.

I don't know - this just really perplexes me honestly. Although Islam, Christianity and Judaism are the three Abrahamic religions and share a lot of similarities...we all know they don't like to hear that they are similar. I guess I'm just confused as to why they're surprised about Christian symbols everywhere.

I'm with you here, I'm pretty certain they knew full well what they were getting into, and decided to try to use the Constitution against a private institution expecting some miraculous result. What I tend to wonder is if people these days even understand the Establishment Clause was designed to bind the actions of government, not individual actions. But, throw the "Constitution" at the situation, whether accurate or not tends to get attention so I'm not entirely sure they're overlooking the fact sheerly out of ignorance.

[Gmvkgkmn]

That is like being diabetic, walking into a candy store then complaining to the manager that there is too much candy in there.

[jackie Obrian]

They need to be slapped across the face - hard - with a side of bacon and told to FO.

[GoblinGaga]

Ugh, try again with a school that isn't "PRIVATE!" The school doesn't have to do jack for these kids. Granted, it would be the right thing to do, to have a space for them to pray that isn't inherently insulting to their faith, but thats the beauty of being a private institution, they don't have to. And yeah, stupid move, being muslim and going to a PRIVATE CATHOLIC School.

[BaselBimbooooo]

I'm with you on this one.

[movlabc]

If this holds up in court, it will be one more thing pushing me to moving to a deserted island. There should be no way that it can be against Human Rights, when they were NOT forced to enroll in that school, and they are NOT forced to remain there. It's like a person joining our military, which is of course 100% voluntary, and then complaining that having to show up to formation on time in a certain uniform is violating their Human Rights. People these days make me wanna pull out my hair.

But in today's world, the courts give in to just about every body. Just like how they are blocking the new immigration laws, saying police are not allowed to ask for proof of citizenship IF, and only if, they are investigating that person for a crime. Makes you wonder how long this country will be the greatest in the world.

[Ccddfergt]

While they may be a private university, if they get any federal funding, they may be faced to make changes or lose that funding. Case in point, Wabash College has been is one of 2 remaining all-men's colleges in the country. It has been an all-men's college since it's founding in the early 1800. At one time they were getting federal funding. A few years ago they were told to admit women or lose their federal funding. They chose to remain an all-men's college, lost their federal funding, and are supported today by private funds, primarily from alumni.

[stuck_in_WA]

I agree with all the previous comments. This is ridiculous! They knew the deal when they enrolled. I believe this was a scheme from the get go and they conspired to contrive this scenario to try and prove a point or make some money. Either way, they should be shown the door and the judge should throw out the frivolous lawsuit.

Then, of course, I hope they all get hit by trucks and go meet Allah.

[Jannet.K]

really! really! we are going to waste money on an investigation and litigation because somebody paid money to a PRIVATE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY and are offended because there are crosses there?

Student: "I am offended that I gave you money to attend your religous based university and it is not my religion! I demand that you take down references to YOUR religion!"

Me-if-i-were-the-registrar: "I understand you are upset, here is a refund for the remainder of the semester, minus the fees for late withdrawal and loss of income for room rental. Please have a nice day and don't the the door hit you in the @$$ as you walk out."

-TheSarge

[Grizli]

Some bleeding heart liberal ass crack of a judge will allow this drivel of a law suit to proceed to a trial.

[Gozmand]

Ugh, try again with a school that isn't "PRIVATE!" The school doesn't have to do jack for these kids. Granted, it would be the right thing to do, to have a space for them to pray that isn't inherently insulting to their faith, but thats the beauty of being a private institution, they don't have to. And yeah, stupid move, being muslim and going to a PRIVATE CATHOLIC School.

How in the world do you figure that? I'm not a big fan of the two wrongs thing so I won't go into what would happen if a Catholic asked an Islamic institution to do the reverse but... How in the world can you figure that it is the RIGHT thing to do for a private religious organization to compromise their religious beliefs to accommodate someone that willingly decided to go there?

[maxtp]

Some bleeding heart liberal ass crack of a judge will allow this drivel of a law suit to proceed to a trial.

Honestly if the "victims" are paying for their attorneys I don't mind this so much! It's still a groundless accusation even if the judge chose to hear it.

[sandracuk]

I will be shocked if this case survives a 12(b)(6) motion.

If there's any justice, the college can get this case dismissed without incurring a hundred grand in attorney fees.

[NudiJuicervich]

I bet they get really mad when they walk into a supermarket and see all those hotdogs, bacon, pork chops, ribs, pork rinds and ....uuuummmmm....bacon....

I hope they don't declare a Jihad on Hormel. Thats asking for a fight.

[Andrew1978]

I will be shocked if this case survives a 12(b)(6) motion.

If there's any justice, the college can get this case dismissed without incurring a hundred grand in attorney fees.

The ACLU would gladly support the Catholic University in this instance.

Inb4ACLUhatesreligion

[GohJHM9k]

I will be shocked if this case survives a 12(b)(6) motion.

If there's any justice, the college can get this case dismissed without incurring a hundred grand in attorney fees.

Better, let it go to court and have it ruled against them. Then they will be stuck with the University's legal fees, too.

If you go to a private university you have to expect to abide by their norm. Don't like it, don't go there. Simple.

[bZEUWO4F]

It's not like Allah twisted their arms and said "Go to a Catholic University".....

[HcMkOKiz]

Agreed. They went to a catholic school, they abide by the schools' regs..

[Abaanto]

Some bleeding heart liberal ass crack of a judge will allow this drivel of a law suit to proceed to a trial.

Not liberal but rather an idiot. No need to drag that into it. Again, even the ACLU has defended cases like this and would side with the school.