Latest news with #UnitedMethodists
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Methodists oppose Indiana's attacks on higher education
Gov. Mike Braun, Attorney General Todd Rokita and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith are engaging in a terrible behavior directed toward Indiana's institutions of higher education. Braun, for his part, acted autocratically to change Indiana University's Board of Trustees structure and supports the closure of decades-long programs to address systemic racism. Meanwhile, Rokita has threatened Butler, DePauw and Notre Dame over support for diversity, equity and inclusion. Last weekend, Indiana United Methodists took a bold stance against their behavior and in support of inclusion and justice. 'We aspire to extend our support for institutions of higher education facing governmental threats. Attacks from state officials have been attacks on institutions of higher education, a resolution passed by the Indiana United Methodists said. 'It's important that we stand with all the institutions of higher education… [and] we will continue to struggle against the systemic racism that pervades our nation and state.' While university administrators at state institutions remain silent, or cower in fear, failing to stand for academic freedom, inclusion and the common good, at least the United Methodists have taken a stand. As longtime allies of higher education, they have provided a word of hope for the future rather than seeking a return to the bigotries of the past. The universities under attack have deep and historic ties to the faith traditions of the Disciples of Christ, the United Methodist Church and Catholic churches. In attacking these universities, Rokita has ignored the First Amendment, which sets out the separation of church and state. In Indiana nearly 700 congregations and well over 70,000 members are counted as United Methodists. The UMC vote condemning threats to our universities may not have made the newspapers, but our state politicians should know Hoosiers are soundly rejecting their bullying.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Violates the constitution' Shelby student sues school board for shutting down LGBTQ+ game
A student is suing her school board after she said she tried to host a game for her club that highlighted the LGBTQ+ community. She said the board ultimately shut the game down and called it inappropriate. Channel 9′s Ken Lemon spoke with that student's attorney about why they are taking this issue to court. The 17-year-old student explained that she presented the game created on PowerPoint last spring and said it has '. . . no depiction of sex, violence, illegal drug use, or anything else that could possibly justify its censorship.' ALSO READ: United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy However, the principal opposed the game at the time and then again in the fall. According to the lawsuit, the liaison to the school board told the student's father that the game violated the North Carolina Parents Bill of Rights law, which '. . . prohibits instruction on sexuality, sex activity, and gender identity in school.' The family said they were then later told that '. . . it was determined that the suggested game was indecent based on community standards.' The student's attorney, Ivy Johnson, said keeping the game out of school violates the constitution. 'To suggest that a quiz game that acknowledges LGBTQ+ people and their contributions to society is indecent is dangerous and is a violation of this student's First Amendment rights,' said Johnson. ALSO READ: Trump signs executive order intended to bar transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports Lifelong Shelby resident Mike Willis said he agreed with the school board, stating, 'I don't think it ought to be in the school.' However, Shelby High School student Dennis McClain disagreed with that sentiment, saying he believed the student who was suing had the right to create an educational game for students in the Activism Club. 'I think they deserve to do it. It's only a club thing. It has nothing to do with the whole school,' McClain explained. Channel 9 has reached out to the school's superintendent, as well as the school's attorney for comment but has not heard back. The suit, filed in Asheville, just seeks to follow the student to play the game on campus. VIDEO: United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy
