SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The University of Utah did not violate the rights of a Mormon student whose drama assignments included reciting a script that contained profane language, a judge said Friday.
The drama curriculum required the use of profane language only as an academic exercise and the curriculum does not take a position on religion, U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell ruled in dismissing the lawsuit.
Christina Axson-Flynn argued her rights were violated because her religious beliefs dictated that she not use certain words, such as God, in vain. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The university contended that all students get the same assignments and Axson-Flynn chose to enroll in the acting program, which uses professional scripts that include swearing.
Alain Balmanno, an assistant Utah attorney general, applauded the decision.
``The bottom line is you can't have a society in which everything you disagree with is in violation of your constitutional rights,'' he said. ``This is a recognition that we have a system in place where people go to a university in order to learn things with which they may not be familiar or comfortable.''
Axson-Flynn could not be located for comment late Friday. She dropped out of the drama course after the first semester, then dropped out of the university.
AP-NY-08-03-01 2353EDT
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press.