Tanford v. Brand
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
104 F.3d 982 (1997)
- Written by Jennifer Flinn, JD
Facts
Indiana University (defendant) has allowed a nonsectarian invocation and benediction during its commencement ceremonies since 1840. Each year, a different religious leader from the Bloomington, Indiana community was chosen to lead the invocation and benediction, and the religious leader was instructed to provide “an uplifting, general message.” The purpose of the invocation and benediction was not to endorse any particular religious faith but rather to solemnize the ceremony. Participation in the commencement ceremony was not mandatory, and both students and faculty members were free to stand up and move around during the ceremony and had the opportunity to momentarily step away from the ceremony during the invocation and benediction. One faculty member and three students (plaintiffs) filed a lawsuit against the university, seeking an injunction to prohibit the invocation and benediction from taking place at the commencement ceremony. The faculty member and students filed a motion for summary judgment, which was denied by the district court. The faculty member and students appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Cummings, J.)
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