I'm not questioning whether or not it is a good idea for GU to dis-allow a Protestant student organization to exist on campus. I'm not even questioning their right to dis-allow as clearly they possess it. What i question is the rhetoric behind the case made by Mr. Neff - that GU ought be morally compelled to allow Inter-varsity to operate on campus. "A university open the free exchange of ideas! What a blast from the past"! How far are Mr. Neff and Alec Hill willing to go with this line of reasoning? Would it be morally and ethically permissable for GU to dis-allow any kind of campus student organization? Invoking the "law of the necessity of the free exchange of ideas" would GU be compelled to allow an Atheist orgnanization, a Muslim organization? Etc. Certainly protestant Christians would object to being compared to atheists and muslims in this context, and perhaps they would be correct to do so but that is not the issue at hand. The issue is the rationale which I find to be largely rhetorical, a kind of politically motivated pressure, and with a disturbing premise - that a private religious institution is morally and ethically compelled to allow free operation of organizations that may in fact contradict it's own religious mission, and therefore, it's very reason for being.That is a troubling premise indeed.

Georgetown did not 'ban' students from participating in Intervarsity - it simply told them that they (as is the case with certain other non-religious clubs) were not an "official" organization. Surely a private institution has the right to decide who can use its facilities? Georgetown provides staff chaplains for Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Muslims - I am proud to be part of a school that can recognize the importance of faith in student's lives without ever commenting on how students choose to participate (or not) in religious activities.

I'm also glad that Georgetown was not targeted for a legal battle. Certainly, people should talk things out. I don't think a Christian group sueing a Christian school is a way to show people who practice other religions or no religion how full of love and grace ours is.

(If it matters to those reading, I am a Christian and have always been a committed member of my Protestant church.)

"Georgetown did not 'ban' students from participating in Intervarsity - it simply told them that they (as is the case with certain other non-religious clubs) were not an "official" organization."

Actually, that's not quite true. The groups were first informed that they would not be permitted to have "any presence or activity" on the campus. It was only after students, alumni, and others began to respond that this statement was clarified and the groups were told that they could meet unofficially.

With InterVarsity and the other groups fully reinstated on campus, this is all water under the bridge. The university's ministry office and these groups have found a way to work together to serve students, and it has been good to see the reconciliation of Christ lived out on many levels as this conflict was brought to resolution.