ATLANTA (AP) — A federal court has upheld a ruling that Augusta State University in Georgia was within its rights to require a graduate school counseling student to keep her biblical views on gays to herself.
A three-judge panel ruled Friday that the university was following protocol when it put Jennifer Keeton on a remediation plan and threatened to expel her after she repeatedly said she would have difficulty working with gay clients.
The university argued that it would risk its accreditation if it didn't hold Keeton to a code of ethics. Keeton filed suit, claiming the institution was punishing her for her Christian views.
The Phoenix-based Alliance Defense Fund, which brought the suit, declined comment on the ruling.
The state Attorney General's office, representing Augusta State, also had no immediate comment.
© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.