Intolerance reared its ugly head once again. In a recent court injunction, UNC-Chapel Hill fraternity Alpha Iota Omega received temporary re-instatement as a campus organization. AIO lost its status a year ago after refusing to sign the university nondiscrimination policy. The organization claims freedom of association and expression give it the right to exclude students who don’t conform to its core Christian belief.

The organization’s stance on pre-marital sex and homosexuality leaves little doubt as to who will be excluded from joining AIO. Apparently, religious tolerance is a selective process; otherwise, AIO would extend its courtesy and invitation to a less discreet and more diverse group of potential recruits.

The problem with AIO’s lawsuit is its adoption of close-minded and stereotypical viewpoints. There are no exceptions in discrimination. Acceptance is supposed to represent the central ideal of Christianity, yet AIO claims its right to the first amendment protects the organizations stance on gay marriage and abstinence, among other sensitive issues.

A chasm separating right and left wing political beliefs grows at an alarming rate these days. The aftermath following the recent election is proof enough of the sensitivity surrounding Christianity’s place in American politics.

It’s inexcusable (according to the U.S. Constitution) to accept that a campus organization can encourage discrimination. This country has to draw a line somewhere, as Christianity is not the only form of organized religion practiced on American soil. Ethnocentrism has no place in a democratic nation, especially one as diverse and complex as the United States.

It’s true (and right) that, as a student organization, the fraternity should not be allowed to discriminate based on religious belief. That’s plenty from a legal standpoint. The bigger issue, however, is that their policies violate what they profess to believe. To use the Bible as a guide, Jesus walked among the beggars, the immoral, and the heathens. He reached out to those who needed it the most.

Extremists are able to push their beliefs at an increasing number of venues previously closed to religious fanaticism. The seesaw battle between belief structures is dangerously close to tipping to one particular side, and unless both side agree to co-exist, American society runs a great risk of imploding. It’s long overdue for fundamentalists to accept that we all put our pants on the same way. There is a time and place for personal beliefs ­- just not in legislation and university policy.