A Georgia university has suspended members of a student group for washing new members’ feet, claiming the ancient Christian practice is a health risk.
Savannah State University in Georgia also said the group, Commissioned II Love, "harassed" other students by sharing their faith.
“It’s ridiculous that a public university would kick a ministry off campus simply for exercising its First Amendment right to free speech and to model Christ’s ministry among its members,” said Joseph Martins, an attorney with National Legal Foundation. “The university is essentially saying that Christian groups are okay unless they actually practice Christianity.”
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the university's actions should shock anyone who values the First Amendment.
"The facts of this case read like a chilling George Orwell novel, where traditional Christian worship, beliefs and practices are suddenly condemned as violations of a new world order as defined by our new enlightened leaders -- the university administration," Hausknecht said. "Is this university located in Georgia or communist China?"
