Judge targets Minnesota law banning religious tests for colleges

In Minnesota, a law enacted in 2023 prohibits religious tests for colleges participating in a state program that permits high school students to earn college credits. This legislation specifically impacts the state's two conservative Christian institutions, Crown College and the University of Northwestern, which require students to adhere to specific religious beliefs. A group of parents and students linked to these colleges has filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that the law infringes on their First Amendment rights to select educational environments that align with their values. Legal proceedings continue as U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel evaluates the constitutionality of the law and its implications on religious freedom and educational opportunities. The state of Minnesota argues that the law protects students from discrimination, particularly those who do not identify as Christian, heterosexual, and cisgender. During the hearing, Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Jeff Timmerman emphasized the necessity of safeguarding all students within the program from exclusion based on their identities or beliefs. This assertion is founded on the premise that the schools' policies, which prohibit participation from non-Christian and LGBTQ+ students, create an unsupportive environment within the education system. The U.S. Supreme Court's recent rulings on similar matters concerning religious exemptions and government funding have been referenced in this case. Eric Baxter, representing the parents and students, contends that previous court decisions indicate that once the state financially supports private institutions, it cannot discriminate against them based on religious grounds. He argued that the law does not justify its constraints on the colleges' admissions policies and that no compelling evidence has been presented to indicate that admitting diverse students would harm the religious foundations of these institutions. As the hearing concluded, Judge Brasel did not provide a timeline for her decision, but noted that if a resolution is not reached before the start of the next academic year, the law will remain in suspension. This case reflects broader discussions about the balance between protecting individual rights and freedoms versus ensuring an inclusive and non-discriminatory educational environment.