Yeshiva University was founded in 1897 and is one of the top colleges in the United States.
It is an Orthodox Jewish institution, which means it abides as closely as possible with Torah principles and theology. This includes some teachings which are not complaint with modern leftism, including the LGBT movement.
Yeshiva has many programs, including secular instruction, but it is, at heart, a Jewish university.
The university has been engaged in a case that reached the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), arguing it cannot officially recognize an on-campus LGBT group without violating the basics of its Jewish faith.
Now, SCOTUS has ruled on the matter.
SCOTUS Overrules Leftist Judge
Yeshiva had been in quite a controversy following the decision by a leftist judge from the state of New York. They ruled according to human rights regulations in the state, Yeshiva had to grant official status to their LGBT group.
Appealing to SCOTUS in an emergency request, Yeshiva has now been granted an exemption from officially recognizing and approving the Pride alliance group on campus.
The decision recognizes that Yeshiva has a religious right to abide by its own beliefs without having to comply with the NY State human rights laws.
However, leftists are already outraged and say Yeshiva cannot play both sides in accepting federal money, while claiming they are an independent religious institution.
This is a perfect example of a future in which the federal and state governments get a stranglehold on religious institutions by making them dependent on their money, then forcing them to adopt progressive beliefs.
However, at least for now, the dam has held against the far left.
For now, SCOTUS says Yeshiva University does not have to recognize campus Pride group, which the school contends would be an infringement on its religious rights.
Yeshiva receives money from the federal govt in the form of research$, student aid and a campus renovation grant. https://t.co/5M8B0A6HBc
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) September 9, 2022
How Did This Case Happen?
This case was not caused by Yeshiva, nor has it sought out attention on it. The university was forced into this by a group of LGBT students who wanted official recognition for their group in 2019. They then sued two years later for not getting it.
They claimed, with some justification, that Yeshiva had to abide by “public accommodation” under cover of the broader state human rights law.
Judge Lynn Kotler agreed, demanding Yeshiva recognize the group in spite of their religious principles. This is when Yeshiva then took the matter up a notch to the federal level.
However, despite having an argument on their side, the students are ultimately wrong as SCOTUS reinforced.
You cannot force an institution to betray its founding principles because of rules imposed by a local government. The Constitution including religious liberty protections is still the law of the land.
Nonetheless, this is an interesting case. It shows the boldness of the far left that they would sue an Orthodox Jewish university for not being culturally progressive.
Becket religious liberty group represented Yeshiva and is celebrating this win; although a more detailed ruling will soon come out from SCOTUS.
Now that briefing is wrapped up for Yeshiva’s still-pending #SCOTUS application, I have to say how miraculous it feels to have seen so much amicus support for Yeshiva—literally from around the globe.
— Eric Baxter (@esbax) September 4, 2022
The Bottom Line
Religious liberty is still alive in America, but it’s only hanging on by a thread.
This article appeared in StatesmanPost and has been published here with permission.
