A federal judge has dismissed Seattle Pacific University's (SPU) lawsuit over the Washington Attorney General's inquiry into the school's hiring practices. Attorney General Bob Ferguson confirmed his office was investigating SPU over whether a policy prohibiting faculty and staff from engaging in same-sex sexual activity constitutes illegal discrimination. The public confirmation came after SPU filed a lawsuit with religious liberty nonprofit Becket Law in July, believing the policy was protected under the First Amendment. "The United States Supreme Court has long held that the first amendment protects religious organizations' ability to decide for themselves what they believe and how they will carry that out," Daniel Benson, an attorney for Becket Law told KING 5 in July. "The university is now in federal court hoping to protect its ability to live out its faith and create a community of vibrant Christian faith in accordance with its religious beliefs." In August, Ferguson filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, asking the court to halt the university's attempt to stop the investigation by his office. Judge Robert Bryan granted that motion Wednesday, ruling that SPU is asking for a change in state law that a federal court cannot grant. Bryan's ruling says any First Amendment arguments by SPU should be raised in state court. The investigation began after students and staff at SPU staged a sit-in and a walkout, as well as called for the removal of the university's board of trustees after they voted to uphold the policy in question. READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/judge-dismisses-spu-lawsuit/281-d30bcd95-7a85-4e88-8710-7647cff14d2a