(Washington, DC) – The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, said today it is demanding that a community college in New York end its hostility toward a Christian student who has been punished because of her religious beliefs. The ACLJ represents Gina DeLuca, a student at Suffolk County Community College (SCCC), who has received lower grades and has been labeled “closed-minded” by a professor who requires students to acknowledge the possibility that God does not exist in order to participate in a philosophy class. The ACLJ has sent a letter demanding that the school end its discriminatory actions against DeLuca or face a federal lawsuit.
“This is another troubling example of how some in the academic world believe it’s acceptable to violate the First Amendment rights afforded to all students – especially students who hold Christian beliefs,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “The actions by this professor clearly reflect hostility toward religion. To require students to acknowledge the possibility that God does not exist in order to participate in a class is not only wrong, but clearly violates the constitutional rights of students who hold religious beliefs. Unless this school takes corrective action, we will go to federal court to protect the rights of our client.”
In its letter to Suffolk County Attorney Christine Malafi, the ACLJ explains that the problem began when DeLuca took a philosophy class which is required for graduation.
DeLuca, who has been a student at SCCC for two years, has maintained a 3.9 GPA and has had good relationships with her professors at the school. She received good grades in the philosophy class until her religious beliefs became known.
According to the ACLJ letter, “…the grades she received on class assignments dropped significantly once God and religion became prominent topics of class discussion and her refusal to compromise her Christian faith became apparent. This is because the course goes beyond merely requiring knowledge of prominent philosophers and their arguments or ways of thinking, which Gina does not object to.” The letter adds that the professor “believes that it is his job to get students to change their own personal viewpoints or state that they are unsure of whether their own personal beliefs are correct.”
In addition to giving DeLuca lower grades, the ACLJ contends that the professor labeled her “closed-minded,” “uncritical,” “hurtful,” and “blinded by belief” simply because she did not adopt his way of thinking.
“SCCC must take immediate action to correct this problem,” the ACLJ letter states. “While a college professor may encourage students to be informed about viewpoints and arguments that differ from their own, it is inappropriate—and unconstitutional—for a public college professor to make passing a required course (and thus graduation) contingent upon a student’s willingness to express agreement with philosophical viewpoints that conflict with her religious beliefs.”
The ACLJ is asking the school to end this discriminatory action against DeLuca, provide assurances that her constitutional rights will be preserved, and advise the professor about the First Amendment rights of students. The ACLJ is demanding that the school provide these assurances by April 14th or face a federal lawsuit.
The ACLJ defends the constitutional rights of students nationwide and most recently secured a victory for an Arizona college journalism student who faced discrimination – and a failing grade – because of her Christian faith. After the ACLJ intervened on behalf of that student, the school reversed itself and awarded her an occupational journalism certificate in addition to her associate’s degree.
Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.