CHRISTIAN COLLEGE WIN IN THE COURTS

Trinity Western University (TWU) is a liberal arts university located in Langley, BC. It is a fully-accredited private university founded on religious principles, which requires its students to observe a code of conduct which prohibits "... premarital sex, adultery, and homosexual behaviour". TWU applied to the BC College of Teachers (BCCT) for accreditation of its teacher education program.

The BC College of Teachers turned down TWU's application for accreditation on the grounds that "the proposed program follows discriminatory practices which are contrary to the public interest and public policy" on account of TWU's rejection of homosexual and lesbian conduct as sinful. In this regard, it is important to note that the BC Teachers College had passed a resolution in June to promote the homosexual agenda in BC's schools (see Reality, July/August 1997, "NDP Government in BC Advocates for Homosexuality", p. 1).

When the case was heard before Mr. Justice Davies of the BC Supreme Court, the BCCT argued that TWU-trained teachers would not be able to respond sympathetically or adequately to the needs of homosexual students. BCCT did not, however, submit any evidence to support this concern nor did it provide evidence that the TWU-trained teachers would be intolerant.

On the contrary, evidence was submitted by the university to show its graduates were, in fact, in great demand in the BC school system, including schools with many multicultural students, in First Nations Schools and in prison schools. TWU students were also sought by schools in Third World countries. In fact, in court, the BCCT clearly relied on a caricature of the students of TWU in its attempt to deny them accreditation. This is precisely discrimination and prejudice -- nothing less. That is, any attempt to exclude religion and religious believers from any role in the public sphere by virtue of belief, rather than actions, is heavy-handed prejudice.

Mr. Justice Davies found such prejudice objectionable and, as a result, ordered the BCCT to give Trinity Western University teachers accreditation.

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