Lots of groups on campus these days -- from the NAACP to the Undergraduate Student Government -- seem to have beef with the Christian Legal Society and their attempt to bar homosexuals, non-Christians and other freethinking people from their membership rolls.
Undaunted, however, the CLS continues to push forward with their attempt to exclude people from membership who probably wouldn't want to join anyway.
The real problem with the CLS isn't their mindset, though. It's their strategy.
By filing suit against ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents, they have made the greater University community aware of their moral crusade. This, in a way, has been quite beneficial. With a name like the Christian Legal Society, many of us might have been confused into thinking the group actually supported things that were both Christian and legal.
But why the lawsuit? Other than a little free press and a lot of flak, it's seemingly an exercise in futility. So why not make things easier on everyone and just adopt a name change?
The Christian Bigotry Society doesn't really roll off the tongue. And I'm pretty sure the acronym is already taken. But just think of all the trees, confusion and confrontation that could be avoided without your lawsuit clogging the legal system. You'll probably have to redo your letterhead, though.
Or how about the Christian Discrimination Society? It's a little more generic, and you could always tack people onto your list of exclusions as civilization continues to slide down the tubes.
Eventually, you're going to have to work harder than just weeding out the homosexuals and heathens, and it's probably best to be prepared. Say the day of reckoning comes: You'll want to make sure that your club is as homogenous and exclusionary as possible.
If those monikers are a bit too confrontational, how about something friendly, say, "People Like Us?" Anyone who didn't fit the bill would probably get the idea pretty quick that they were not welcome. That way, you can weed out the evildoers before they have a chance to ink their name on your "Statement of Faith." And no one's feelings would be hurt.
After all, if people aren't exactly like you, why would they want to hang out with you in the first place? The list could go on, but the idea would remain the same. The point is, it's time for the CLS to call a spade a spade, dump their lawyers and stand up for what they truly believe in.
Hate. Plain, simple and unadulterated. It's certainly not a Christian value and not legal in most places. But it's enough to keep the CLS zealots fighting tooth and nail for what they believe in. They've neglected to notice the main point, however. Just as it isn't Christian, hate is probably not University sanctioned, either.
Which leads us to your next problem.
You'll also need a new venue for your meetings. That shouldn't be too difficult. With all the friends you've made at ASU recently, you'll probably want to stay away from campus anyway.
Brian Clapp is a biology and political science senior. Reach him at brian.clapp@asu.edu.
