Court case against Cambridge College - philosophical and religious belief

[PinkDodgems]

Fitzwilliam College refused to allow a Christian group to hold its conference there because, in the words of its lawyer:
"college staff had conducted internet research about Christian Concern, which “gave rise to concerns about the reaction of the college’s students if the booking was accepted”, he said, adding that the claimant’s booking was rejected on the grounds that it is “not compatible with the values of the college”.
www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/christian-group-blocked-from-holding-conference-at-cambridge-college/ar-AA11SrcJ?ocid

It seems to me that its far to late as some of the adults where once the idiot students.

Universities no longer seem to be the free thinking places that they were.

I understand the logic of this argument, that a conference centre is different, and it may well be the legal position.
Do you think then that a conference venue owned by a Church (not the Church building itself) should have to host a pro-gay marriage conference? Or a pro-abortion conference?
Otherwise it's just privileging one belief over another isn't it.

I think the issue is around what values a university should have. Basically if it wants to be recognised as a valid institution plurality, freedom of speech and open debate within the law must be a foundational value.
It should be open to all beliefs and prepared to debate them.

I don't think that's the same issue as church halls being required to take bookings from Pagan groups. The use of Church halls would be required to be in line with their values seems reasonable.

I didn't mean Church Halls per se- probably not in the way you're thinking.
Several Churches I know have full on conference facilities that they rent out though. Easily the size of a big lecture theatre, sometimes more than one, with all the mod cons and modern conferencing facilities.
My personal view (IANAL and this may not be the legal view) is that the Churches and the University can host whatever views they like, or not- so in this case the Uni can turn down this booking, the Church can turn down the booking from the gay rights group etc. I think the equality act should protect individuals - so you can't be sacked/ refused service/ not housed because of your beliefs but I think forcing venues to accept conference bookings for conferences that don't accord with their values is overreach. I suppose you could say I feel the believer should be protected, but not the belief in its abstract form.
But if the opposite is true in reality- conference venues have to accept bookings for the anti-gay marriage group or be prosecuted, the law should apply fairly- so if Churches want to subsidise their activities through booking secular conferences they should have to take the pro-gay marriage conference booking too.
Otherwise, you're protecting one view more than the other surely?

CICCU used to be hideous. They hounded one of my friends for being orthodox. She got leaflets describing in detail the torments waiting for her.

I understand the view of the college, but I bet CICCU would be able to book a dinner there...

Yes, this.

It's not particularly an issue of law.

It's what it says about them as an institution. Which might not be so much if they hadn't already made it clear that they don't believe in the foundational values of university education.