SAN BERNARDINO, California (AP) – California State University, San Bernardino has refused to allow a Christian group to organize on campus, saying it would discriminate against non-Christians and gays and lesbians.

The Christian Student Association’s proposed constitution included a statement on sexual morality and required members and officers to be Christian.

State law prevents student groups at public universities from excluding people based on religion or sexual orientation.

Under the state education code, the university could not issue the group a charter, said Christine Hansen, director of student leadership and development in the office of Student Affairs.

Ryan Sorba, who tried to form the association, accused the university of discriminating against Christians.

“This is about whether or not the First Amendment is allowed to exist at Cal State San Bernardino and whether or not Christians are allowed to exist,” said Sorba, 23, who also is president of the College Republicans.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and other democratic rights.

Similar controversies are playing out on other California campuses.

A group called the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in November against the California State University campuses in Long Beach and San Diego, alleging that Cal State’s system-wide policy forces students to abandon their Christian beliefs if they want benefits that other organizations receive.

Chartered student groups are eligible for money from student fees and can invite speakers to campus, post fliers and use university rooms for meetings.

Several Christian organizations began campaigning to force the university to approve Sorba’s club.

“This is political correctness gone amok. There is no way we are going to let this thing pass,” said the Rev. Louis Sheldon, chair and founder of the Traditional Values Coalition in Washington, D.C.

Sorba has generated controversy in the past by using the College Republicans’ name on anti-gay signs and coordinating an affirmative action bake sale at which minorities were offered snacks at reduced prices.

In a separate dispute, evangelical high schools are suing the University of California for refusing to recognize Christian-themed courses.