For the past 7 years, Louisiana College has been defending itself in a lawsuit brought against the school by former college faculty. According to Wildcats Media, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of “four former faculty members, Dr. Carlton Winbery, Dr. Connie Douglas, Dr. Fred Downing, and Dr. James Heath, who taught Religion and Values classes.”
The former faculty members were let go by the college for their inability to affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 because of their denial of biblical inerrancy.
The court’s ruling derives from the establishment clause of the First Amendment that Congress is prohibited from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.” The court’s decision would require the court to choose sides in a dispute over Baptist Theology which violates the establishment clause. The court has said that it does not have the power to choose which Baptist view is correct.
To “delve deeply into Baptist theology . . . is precisely what is prohibited.” Slip. Op. at p. 8. The four professors testified that they held an “. . . errant view of the Bible . . .” Slip. Op. at p. 10
This is a great victory for not only Louisiana College but every religious institution in the country as it upholds the religious freedoms granted to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
