UC-Davis Backs Away from ‘Christian Oppressors’ Policy

The University of California at Davis has backed away from a policy that defined religious discrimination as Christians oppressing non-Christians after more than two dozen Christian students filed a formal complaint.

The definition is listed in a document called, “The Principles of Community.” It defines “Religious/Spiritual Discrimination” as “The loss of power and privilege to those who do not practice the dominant culture’s religion. In the United States, this is institutionalized oppressions toward those who are not Christian.”

“This is radical political correctness run amok,” said David French, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund. The conservative advocacy group had written a letter on behalf of more than 25 students who object to the policy. He said it’s absurd to single out Christians as oppressors and non-Christians as the only oppressed people on campus.

Raheem Reed, an associate executive vice chancellor at UC-Davis, said he received the letter and removed the definition Wednesday afternoon.

“I certainly can see how a Christian student reading that definition might feel and that’s why it was immediately disabled and taken down,” Reed told Fox News Radio. “This is not how we define religious discrimination.”

However, one student said they complained to administrators last November about the policy and nothing was done.

“Christians deserve the same protections against religious discrimination as any other students on a public university campus,” French told Fox News Radio. “The idea that a university would discriminate against Christians is a very old story, unfortunately, and one that we see played out every day.”

One student, who asked not to be identified, said university officials asked her to reaffirm “The Principles of Community” last semester. She refused to do so when she realized that Christians were not protected under the policy.

“To have a non-discrimination policy that excludes the Christian faith is a cause for action,” she said. “In higher academia, one would hope that a diversity of ideas and beliefs would be appreciated. But my experience has been that this has not always been the case. There is a real fear of academic bias against the Christian faith.”

Reed said he regrets that Christian students might feel intimidated.

“We want everyone to feel safe, welcomed and supportive,” he said. “Not only are we taking it down, but now we’re going to look at what kind of affirmative steps we can take to reassure those members of our campus community who may have felt somewhat threatened or intimidated by it.”

French said all of the students who complained are fearful of backlash if their identities became known.

“This was amazing to actually enshrine in your non-discrimination statement – discrimination against Christians,” he said. “This is a symbol of the seeming impunity in which universities violate the law to establish a radical, secular-left agenda.”

Alan Brownstein, a law professor at UC-Davis, said the campus has a generally open and tolerant view of religion. “It’s a university campus,” he said. “There is robust debate and people will disagree on just about everything.”

Brownstein, who is a nationally known constitutional scholar, said any legal challenges to the policy would depend on whether or not it’s a binding document.

“Clearly, if you had an enforceable regulatory policy that said, ‘we will discipline Christians who oppress non-Christians, but we will not impose the same kind of disciplinary sanctions on non-Christians who engage in the same kind of harassing behavior against Christians,’ that would be unacceptable and subject to legal challenge.”

Reed said “The Principles of Community” is not a policy.

“They are, in fact, aspirational principles we have – to try to make sure we are promoting diversity and trying to build a more inclusive campus community,” he said.

Regardless, Brownstein said it might have been more appropriate to use less-specific language in the policy.

“It’s always preferable to be as general as you can when you describe these kinds of unacceptable behaviors,” he said.

Todd Starnes is a Fox News Radio reporter and best-selling author. Click here to join his Facebook and Twitter pages.

13 Comments

stage9

February 16, 2011 at 8:05 pm

Todd,

I just wanted to thank you for posting the story "UC-DAVIS BACKS AWAY FROM ‘CHRISTIAN OPPRESSORS’ POLICY". We Christians hear or personally face this kind of discrimination all the time but most of us keep it to ourselves.

I heard a story several years ago of a college freshman who was singled out and lambasted by her professor for being a Christian. On the first day of class the professor asked all of those who were Christians in the class to raise their hands. They did. He then said, "Before this semester is through I am going to drive Christianity out of you."

This is blatant discrimination against Christians has become in many universities. I believe that those who do this do it purposefully, and just like in your story, they try and slide these things through hoping no one will rise up in protest.

Thanks again for posting this and exposing this to the public. I wish more stories like this would surface.

Kind regards.
NR

February 16, 2011 at 11:11 pm

"Reed said 'The Principles of Community' is not a policy.

'They are, in fact, aspirational principles we have – to try to make sure we are promoting diversity and trying to build a more inclusive campus community,' he said."

1984 made flesh. How cynically warped and depraved can academia get?
edwardjohns30

February 17, 2011 at 1:12 am

So, who drafted the original language ???

When does THAT investigation begin ???

The students should get a petition going, with the statement that ANY perceived backlash against any signatory will be carefully documented.
yolo

February 17, 2011 at 8:10 am

Rasheed??? This alone should give us pause. Rasheed is a muslim name. I do not if the man is muslim,the name could just be made up like so many others.
yolo

February 17, 2011 at 8:11 am

Raheem,Sorry.
yolo

February 17, 2011 at 8:17 am

Never mind!
Liz

February 17, 2011 at 9:07 am

The UC system. What a joke. I thought these students were there for an education. And why does this system have anything to say about religion. This is a publicly funded university and should not be poking their noses where they do not belong. I live in California and all of this diversity nonsense is what is causing the majority of the issues in this state. If the government and the universities would STFU and leave people alone, we would all get along just fine!!!
student

February 17, 2011 at 3:11 pm

While the context of the PoC can be interpreted many ways, the principles should be read thoroughly, and taken as a whole, not just the snippet provided. For anyone who is curious, here is the principles of community as currently listed in the campus general catalog.
http://occr.ucdavis.edu/poc/
Noreen Mazelis

February 17, 2011 at 11:05 pm

An honorable man, CHARLIE NASH, a professor emeritus of Chemistry at UC=Davis, wrote the ORIGINAL "Principles of Community", and he did so in good faith. HOWEVER, the "Principles" have been perverted by the UCD administration which uses them to bully students and faculty that the administrators do not like. Meanwhile, the Muslim Students Association is allowed to run fool on our campus, thanks to 3-figure salaried jerks like RAHEEM REED.
jpzUCD

February 17, 2011 at 11:07 pm

I am deeply concerned by this over reaction. The Principles of Community was drafted collectively by students and administrators in an effort to form a more perfect campus. It exists in the hope that people will think about their community and the emotional and physical safety of their peers before acting. They are not enforced, because they are not enforceable. The document is not a law, not a rule, not even an attempt at enforceable policy. It is a hopeful guide put in place by a varied and diverse group UC Davis community members. One's adherence to these principles is greatly encouraged, but ultimately voluntary, and no student has ever been censured or punished by the university merely for 'breaking' these mutually agreed upon principles.
Take the time to read the document here before you judge it. Similar ideas have, in the past, lent assistance to such unquestionably righteous causes as the civil rights movement, and the suffrage and liberation of women. Without foresight and consideration on the part of community members, both of these struggles would have proven even more difficult. Inclusion, understanding, and safety are its foremost pillars, can you really argue with those?
http://occr.ucdavis.edu/poc/

ALSO, the fact remains that the dominant religion in the United States is Christianity. This makes it significantly more likely that members of minority religious groups would find themselves alienated and discriminated against, even if unintentionally. This portion of the Principles of Community was no doubt included in an effort to make the campus community more welcoming to those minority religious groups, because the fact is that Christians already make up the largest portion of the population. There is less of a need to encourage them to be confident and feel safe in an environment that they already so dominate.

Cultural dominance, the position that the American Christian community finds itself in presently, entitles said dominant group to an increased voice. If the clearly dominant group doesn't make the effort to be conscious of their community and give voices to those who lack them, who would? Who even could?
Jenny

February 18, 2011 at 11:09 am

If you actually take the time to read the Principles of Community, it's pretty clear that the document expresses the fact that at UC Davis, we not only accept but celebrate our differences. Conveniently, Fox News did not care to mention this in the above article.

As a UC Davis student and a Christian, I absolutely disagree with Fox's argument. Of course it is important to be accepting of other religious beliefs, but I have NEVER felt discriminated against while attending UC Davis!

Here are UCD's Principles of Community:

"The University of California, Davis, is first and foremost an institution of learning and teaching, committed to serving the needs of society. Our campus community reflects and is a part of a society comprising all races, creeds and social circumstances. The successful conduct of the university's affairs requires that every member of the university community acknowledge and practice the following basic principles:

* We affirm the inherent dignity in all of us, and we strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by respect for each other. We acknowledge that our society carries within it historical and deep-rooted misunderstandings and biases, and therefore we will endeavor to foster mutual understanding among the many parts of our whole.
* We affirm the right of freedom of expression within our community and affirm our commitment to the highest standards of civility and decency towards all. We recognize the right of every individual to think and speak as dictated by personal belief, to express any idea, and to disagree with or counter another's point of view, limited only by university regulations governing time, place and manner. We promote open expression of our individuality and our diversity within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect.
* We confront and reject all manifestations of discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, status within or outside the university, or any of the other differences among people which have been excuses for misunderstanding, dissension or hatred. We recognize and cherish the richness contributed to our lives by our diversity. We take pride in our various achievements, and we celebrate our differences.
* We recognize that each of us has an obligation to the community of which we have chosen to be a part. We will strive to build a true community of spirit and purpose based on mutual respect and caring."
- Ralph Henson
  
  June 30, 2011 at 10:48 pm
  
  As a Christian, how do you accept what the Bible says is a sin? Or do you even believe in the Bible? There are things in the poc that contridict a Christian behavior. 'Nuf said.
Tropic Thunder

February 18, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Amanda Baggs is one the decades greatest autism hoaxes. Please see http://abaggs.blogspot.com/ to see the historical data supporting this woman is NOT autistic, but rather a nutcase or worse: a deliberate fraud.