VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - The Appeal Court of British Columbia rejected the LGBT agenda and ruled in favor of a Christian university's right to have its law school accredited. Trinity Western University had been denied accreditation for its law school because it has a policy that says sexual relations outside of marriage between a man and a woman violate the school's religious teaching and are therefore prohibited. The court sided with Trinity.
In a unanimous decision, a panel of five judges said the negative impact on Trinity Western's religious freedoms would be severe and far outweigh the minimal effect accreditation would have on LGBT rights. The ruling upholds a previous decision made by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who ruled that the Law Society of British Columbia was wrong to deny accreditation to future alumni of the Christian university's proposed law school. The court dismissed an appeal from the law society, which had argued the school's covenant and code of conduct discriminated against members of the LGBT community.
The Appeal Court decision found that denying approval to Trinity Western would not enhance access to law school for members of the LGBTQ community and therefore wouldn't help the law society meet its public-interest objectives. "This case demonstrates that a well-intentioned majority acting in the name of tolerance and liberalism can, if unchecked, impose its views on the minority in a manner that is in itself intolerant and illiberal," as stated in the 66-page judgement.
"This ruling is a positive step toward protecting the religious freedom of Christian colleges and universities," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The collision between religious freedom and the LGBT agenda is inevitable. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of America and is affirmed in the federal and every state constitution. This decision is encouraging because our next door neighbor has not always had the same commitment to religious freedom. I am pleased that students seeking a Christian law school experience in Canada now have a choice," said Staver
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
