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Indian River Community College: Ban on ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and Repression of Free Speech

Indian River Community College prohibited the Christian Student Fellowship, a campus student group, from hosting a screening of The Passion of the Christ. The group contacted FIRE, which lobbied the administration and launched a media campaign exposing the school's policies. Thereafter, the school denounced it actions, admitting to employing double-standards in its policies. The student group was allowed to show the movie thanks to FIRE's successful involvement.

Case Materials

• "Victory for Free Speech at Indian River Community College," February 2, 2005: Florida’s Indian River Community College (IRCC) has overturned its prohibition on a student-organized screening of The Passion of the Christ. The college made the decision after FIRE took the case to the national media. IRCC's statement confirmed that the college had not enforced its policies on public expression consistently and according to constitutional guidelines. IRCC has also rescinded its authoritarian requirement that a faculty advisor monitor all student organization meetings.
• "Statement of Indian River Community College, February 1, 2005," February 1, 2005
• "Ban on ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Continues as New Double Standards Are Revealed," January 19, 2005: Florida’s Indian River Community College, which recently prohibited The Passion of the Christ from being shown on campus, has now admitted that last year it approved a screening of an R-rated documentary film at a college-sponsored event.  This contradicts the college’s claim to have banned all R-rated movies—an unwritten policy that it used to justify its decision to prohibit the Christian Student Fellowship from screening The Passion of the Christ.  The admission also undermines the college’s claim that allowing a skit called “F**king for Jesus” to be performed on campus was a breakdown of procedure.
• "Script of "F**king for Jesus" -- by Anne Meacham," January 15, 2005
• "Florida College Bans ‘The Passion of the Christ’; Launches Campaign Against Free Speech," January 14, 2005: Florida’s Indian River Community College (IRCC) is engaging in a campaign of repression against a Christian student group for attempting to show Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ on campus.  The college banned the Christian Student Fellowship from showing the film despite the fact that the college has hosted a live performance entitled “F**king for Jesus” that describes simulated sex with “the risen Christ.”  When the group complained to the college president, administrators pulled group leaders out of class and demanded an apology. IRCC also unlawfully requires that school officials attend every meeting of student organizations.
• "Letter from Indian River Community College's Attorney to FIRE, December 22, 2004," December 22, 2004
• "FIRE Letter to Indian River Community College President Edwin Massey, December 16, 2004," December 16, 2004

Blog Entries

• "This Month in FIRE History: Florida College Bans ‘The Passion of the Christ’," by Claire Jenkins, January 29, 2009

Media Coverage

• "The Chill Is Nothing New,"
  by Greg Lukianoff, The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 9, 2005
• "10 great cigars and why I smoked them,"
  by Mike Adams, Townhall.com, June 13, 2005
• "College Revamps Policy After Banning The Passion,"
  by Jim Brown and Jody Brown, Agape Press, February 4, 2005
• "Christian group at IRCC can show 'Passion' film,"
  by Sandra Hong, Palm Beach Post, February 3, 2005
• "Editorial: Contrary to news report, IRCC doesn't fit politically correct model,"
  TCPalm.com, February 3, 2005
• "Fort Pierce college will allow 'The Passion of the Christ' shown,"
  The Ledger Online, February 3, 2005
• "The Resurrection of the Passion,"
  by Mike Adams, Townhall.com, February 3, 2005
• "Indian River Community College reverses ban on screening of Passion of the Christ,"
  by Associated Press, Sun-Sentinel, February 3, 2005
• "Fort Pierce College Will Allow 'The Passion Of The Christ' Shown,"
  News4Jax.com, February 3, 2005
• "College To Allow Screening Of Controversial Movie,"
  WPBF News, February 3, 2005
• "IRCC reverses ban on showing R-rated films,"
  TCPalm.com, February 3, 2005
• "Finally, Fla. College OKs 'Passion of Christ',"
  NewsMax.com, February 2, 2005
• "TCoast college lifts ban on R-rated movies,"
  by Sandra Hong, Palm Beach Post, February 2, 2005
• "Conservatives Censored on College Campuses? Free Speech Movement Finds New Group of Supporters,"
  by Dan Harris, ABC World News Tonight, February 1, 2005
• "The Passion of the Censor,"
  by Mike Adams, Townhall.com, January 31, 2005
• "The Troubling Resurgence of the 'Heckler's Veto',"
  by Jan LaRue, Human Events, January 26, 2005
• "Academic Freedom Group Charges Fla. College Violated Students' Rights,"
  by Jim Brown, Agape Press, January 24, 2005
• "College Criticized For Banning Movie,"
  TBOnews.com, January 23, 2005
• "IRCC blows its lines,"
  Palm Beach Post, January 21, 2005
• "Fla. College Criticized for 'Passion' Ban,"
  by Associated Press, Miami Herald, January 20, 2005
• "Fla. College Criticized for 'Passion' Ban,"
  by Associated Press, Newsday, January 20, 2005
• "Civil liberties group denounces ‘Passion’ ban,"
  by Associated Press, MSNBC.com, January 20, 2005
• "Religious group, IRCC spar over ban of 'Passion',"
  by Sandra Hong, Palm Beach Post, January 19, 2005
• "Firm to review IRCC's policies on student groups,"
  by Jennifer Brannock, Stuart News, January 19, 2005
• "IRCC defends not screening 'Passion',"
  by Ana Ceron, Stuart News, January 18, 2005
• "College Bans Gibson's Passion -- but Allows Blasphemous, Sexualized Skit,"
  by Jim Brown and Jody Brown, American Family Association, January 17, 2005
• "Fla. College Bans Gibson's 'Passion',"
  NewsMax, January 14, 2005
• "Fla. College Bans Gibson's 'Passion',"
  NewsMax, January 14, 2005