On June 18, the ERLC sent a letter authored by ERLC President Dr. Evan Lenow to the House Education and Workforce Committee encouraging committee leadership to schedule a markup for the Equal Campus Access Act.
The Equal Campus Access Act would prevent funds given under the Higher Education Act from going to schools that discriminate against religious student groups by denying them access to facilities and resources otherwise available to them. The ERLC previously sent a letter alongside coalition partners supporting the Equal Campus Access Act in September 2025.
In the letter, Dr. Lenow leans on his experience as an educator and administrator, saying:
“I am familiar with the important dialogue brought to our colleges and universities by faith-based student groups. These organizations, and the robust intellectual and philosophical discussions they often promote, help our college campuses flourish because they help young people to thrive.”
What is the Equal Campus Act of 2025?
The Equal Campus Access Act of 2025 will ensure that “such groups will be allowed to meet on campuses nationwide, providing authentic faith communities where students can find belonging, and enabling them to freely discuss, live out and share their religious ideas and values.” As Sen. Lankford said, this bill would ensure that “religious student organizations will not face discrimination on college campuses.”
What do Southern Baptists believe about religious freedom?
Southern Baptists believe “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate.”
In this way, the Baptist Faith & Message summarizes the biblical teaching on religious liberty and freedom of conscience, a Baptist distinctive. The ERLC will continue this legacy in our moral education and in our advocacy—a legacy of religious freedom for all people.
